As we approach day number 1002984 of being in isolation (thatโs what it feels like anyway), it seems as if all the joy has been sucked out of the world. Newsflash, it hasnโt. Here we have some of the wackiest trends, the best new releases and funniest instagram accounts that you should have been following yesterday. Read on for some mood-boosting content.
TREAT YO SELF โฆ
to a pair of Haus of Dizzy earrings to bling up your life and make a positive statement. Our faves? The โFucking Fabulousโ sparkle earrings and โLove Yo Selfโ hearts. Bonus: they look great paired with pyjamas and activewear, if thatโs your current #WFH uniform.
SING ALONG
If youโve been longing for a much-needed dose of take-no-shit girl-power tunes, the wait is over. The Dixie Chicks have returned (after 14 very long years) to help you unwind after a long day slobbing it at home with their new album Gaslighter. Cowboy, take us away!
REALITY CHECK
In his childrenโs book for adults, Weโre All Going to Die, Stefan Hunt explores the meaning of life in the manner of Dr Seuss, through simple poems and charming illustrations. His aim: fear less and live more.
SIP ON THIS
In complex times like these, all we need is our sweet but tough best friend giving us advice on some of lifeโs difficult yet oh-so-relatable troubles; however, social distancing doesnโt make this easy. Here to save the day is Ashley Nicole Black and her podcast Sip on This, which serves up candid advice to all your problems. Youโre welcome.
WHIP IT
Cabin-fever content doesnโt get much better than the #HorseChallenge. Using two people โ one who unfortunately plays the back end of a horse by bending over, and the other standing and facing the other way โ the image of a cowboy riding off into the distance is created. To get the idea, have a look at the hashtag online. You wonโt regret it.
FILM FAN CLUB
For the cinemagoers among us who are missing the collective experience of the big screen โ the phones pinging in the quiet scenes, the guy behind you with his foot on your chair incessantly munching popcorn, and the delight of dissecting the film afterwards with friends โ UK actor Brett Goldstein has you covered. He started #IsolationFilmClub on Twitter, where a movie is selected each day and talked about under the hashtag. A film club in the solitude of your own home? Yes, please. No loud chewers allowed.
QUARANTINE QUARANTUNES
While in quarantine, Rita Wilson asked the public to help her create a party playlist for those long isolation days. Within days our ears were gifted with more than 30 songs, including โDonโt Stand So Close to Meโ by The Police. Quarantunes is available on Spotify โ go and dance yourself silly.
SUGAR AND SPICE
Follow @thesweetfeminist Insta account for tasty treats that fight for equality with empowering icing war cries like: โWomen owe you nothinโ and โI wonโt be quiet so you can be comfortable.โ Preach it, sweet feminist, preach it.
HOW โBOUT DAT
Have you got a soundtrack to your stint in self-isolation? Phoebe Bridgers does. The singer from Stranger in the Alps created the playlist โCatch Me Insideโ in an effort to encourage self-isolation. Not only is it your daily dose of quality tunes, but it is also a play on internet personality Danielle Bregoliโs famous catchphrase โCatch me outside, how โbout dat?โ Now if that Dr. Phil memory doesnโt make you smile, we donโt know what will.
HOLA HOLA
Donโt let cancelled holiday plans get you down, escape to East LA for a hot minute with Mexican sisters Lyn and Emma in the second season of Vida, which has recently premiered on Stan. Immerse yourself in the family, romantic and neighbourhood relationships within Boyle Heights, where the MexicanAmerican and queer communities are centrestage. If you squint your eyes and order a burrito, it will almost feel like youโre there, trust us
LIFE, LOVE, FOOD
Dip into Khanh Ongโs cookbook A Gay Guyโs Guide to Life, Love, Food and come out of isolation a MasterChef.
STAYCATION
Have you ever wanted to go to Paris and visit the Louvre but a global pandemic got in the way? If so, the Parisian museum is currently offering virtual tours that include Egyptian Antiquities, the Louvreโs Moat and the Galerie dโApollon. If youโre craving art and culture amid the lockdown, now is your chance to take in the worldโs most acclaimed works of art from the comfort of your couch.
EDUCATIONAL VIEWING
Self-isolation is the perfect opportunity to learn new skills. Specifically, sex skills. The Netflix series Sex, Explained is five episodes of highly entertaining and incredibly informative content answering the questions we donโt want to ask out loud. Playfully narrated by our go-to girl Janelle Monรกe, youโll finish this enlightened, and ready to come out of self-isolation with your new skills. Letโs talk about sex, baby.
COME TOGETHER
Join The Kindness Pandemic Facebook group for your daily reminder that there is good in the world (even when youโre down to your last roll of toilet paper with no hope in sight). Members share heartwarming stories, like people putting friendly notes in elderly neighboursโ letterboxes offering help, and strangers anonymously leaving bags of groceries on the front steps of those who are struggling (toilet paper included)
This article originally appeared in the June issue of marie claire: out now.
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