By Britta
Omicron hasn't found me yet, but it's coming. It's invisible and everywhere, like The Predator; time will tell if I get to play the Schwarzenegger role, or if I become Carl Weathers.
I keep reminding myself, though, that a) Carl ended up in Arrested Development AND Star Wars, and b) the CDC now says if you had 2+ shots in your arm and you're over symptoms by day 5, you can ditch the quarantine and go back into the world (with a mask). FIVE DAYS, friends, not 14! That's going from all-work-and-no-play-make-Jack-a-dull-boy to borderline cozy.
This is my time to shine. Coziness is the theme of my dream board; a lifetime of minor dysthymia has prepared me for this. Five days can come and go quickly, so if you're not prepared, you could lose a lot of cozy time and end up just being bored. As someone who aspires to make her everyday life look like Tom Haverford's apartment, I figured I'd give everyone some tips for leaning into your (hopefully) 5-day isolation, when your time comes. (Note: I'm not receiving compensation from any of these companies. They continue to ignore my emails.)
You'll never regret owning a matching pajama set.
I was always a sweatpants + random t-shirt wearer, then last year my sister-in-law gave me this matching pajama set from Madewell and my life changed. When I wear them, I feel like a flannel queen swimming in self-care. As I flail through the middle of my life, these feel like they anchor me simultaneously to childhood and to retirement - the happiest times of life, according to research. They say, "I'm not even going to pretend I might leave the house again today. And I'm fine with that." I didn't know I needed them until I had them, and now I just want more.
Catch up on a classic action series.
You could spend this time catching up on the Marvel universe, but I refuse. I've seen, like, 8 of the Marvel movies, and that already felt like a lot, and I resent that all these new series require you to have watched 22 movies to have a basic understanding of what's going on. But you don't have to watch Black Widow to see sexy girl spies and Russian assassins who end up being close family members. Generation Z's might think of Jennifer Garner as that nice mom who sells credit cards and skincare products, but us Millennials know her as Sydney Bristow, the super spy who could pull off any look and save the world just in time for midterms. If you never watched Alias, it's time to jump in. And if you did watch it, you can always jump in again - I've watched the whole series four times. All FOUR seasons (we're actively forgetting season 5). Directed by a pre-Lost J.J. Abrams, it's not so much quality as it is just... well... fun - nothing serious or remotely tied to reality, which makes it a perfect COVID escape.
Hot drinks (and sugar) can warm you from the inside out
Now that Trader Joe's spiced apple cider is gone for the season (seriously, why? There are still apples!), time to find something new to heat to fission-like temperatures and slowly sip and reheat for the next 45-90 minutes. One of my little anchors of daily joy is Tazo's chai tea latte, aka comfort in a cup (available in a range of sugar and caffeine content options). There's just something about warm milk, ginger, and cinnamon (and sugar) that makes a preschool closure go down much smoother. How comforting is it? Well, a German once told me it tastes like Christmas, so, pretty comforting. When I go running before dawn and it's dark and cold and uncomfortable, this is what I picture. But if my kids ask, I think about them.
Trust a Master
I've seen so many thriller/mystery book reviews lately comparing writers to Agatha Christie. Here's an idea: why not read an actual Agatha Christie novel? This lady invented the modern whodunit detective novel, and there's a reason she is the best selling author of all time (by a wide margin, Ms. Rowling). My childhood is spotted with memories of my mom reading these aloud in the car, so I'm continually surprised by how few people of my generation have read them. They're quick and fun and clever and have nothing to do with COVID, so, go escape for awhile.
And remember, you don't have to possibly have COVID to use and enjoy these - just a disinclination to leave the house or see anyone. So, happy Friday!