My Pandemic Finds

It's been over a year since COVID-19 first became a global issue. During quarantine, many of us had to find new forms of entertainment to get through the days of being home 24/7. Here is a list of things that I found during the pandemic that made quarantine easier.

1. Digital Design

As I talked about in my first long form piece for the website, How I Started Selling Stickers Online During Quarantine, I went into detail about my digital design journey.

Long story short, after downloading a drawing application called Inkscape onto my computer, I began drawing designs that I thought would be fun stickers. Then, I had them printed so I could sell them on Etsy. Those that didn't make the cut were put on Redbubble. Redbubble's fan art program also helped sell stickers that cause copyright issues on Etsy.

Digital designing and opening my sticker shops helped me get through quarantine. Not only did it give me something productive to do, but I thoroughly enjoy digital designing now (even if some don't get turned into future stickers).

2. Vocal

Writing has always been something that I enjoy doing. In a recent piece that I wrote about Finding My Voice, I specifically talked about my journey writing on this amazing website. Creating content for people to read is something that I find fulfilling, and finding this website has allowed me to do so. With the ability to publish (almost) anything I want, I am very glad that I found Vocal during quarantine.

3. Podcasts

When school had to change from in person to 100% online, it became harder for me to focus on schoolwork. I haven't been back to in person school since March 13th, 2020, and one thing that has helped me focus on schoolwork at home has been podcasts.

I am the type of person who generally works better when there is some sort of background noise. For some reason, it helps specifically when I am doing math homework. Podcasts are great for providing background noise. Not only can I enjoy the content of the podcasts, but I am doing so while doing my schoolwork (or writing!).

4. Clue

Yes, the board game. The version of clue that I have is the 1996 version, as shown above. I think that Clue is an extremely underrated board game that never gets boring.

If you don't know what it is, Clue is a game where the players have to try to solve a murder. Each players gets a few cards, and when one enters one of the rooms (on the game board), a player can make a suggestion as to who they think did it. After they make a suggestion, one player shows one card to that player, therefore giving the player a clue as to what is not true about the murder. If a player makes an accusation, (different from a suggestion) with the correct room, weapon, and murderer, then they win!

I became addicted to this game to the point where I was practically begging my family if we could play. It is really fun, and the best part is that you never know what could happen.

I haven't played any of the newer versions of this game, but I'm sure they are fantastic as well.

5. Kryss

I LOVE word games. When I got an ad for this app, I immediately downloaded it and became addicted.

This game is like a crossword and Words With Friends fusion. The board is one long rectangle, and with word or picture clues, you have to figure out the blank words are. You get 5 letters at each turn and you have to place them onto the board correctly for points.

The only downside I have noticed is that you have a limited amount of game boards (aka opportunity to start new games) and to gain more, you either have to buy premium or wait a day. After waiting a day, then you have to watch advertisements in order to get more.

For me, it's worth it.

6. My 16 inch Squishmallow

Okay, this one feels a little random on this list. However, this thing is amazing.

This is a 16 inch R2D2 Squishmallow (pillow) that I had gotten from Costco. R2D2 is my favorite Star Wars character, and at the time they were the only Squishmallows I could find that were available.

When I got the COVID-19 vaccine, my symptoms were awful. I was so sick from it that it took me a few days for my body to recover from my reaction. I'd rather not get into too much detail about it, but this pillow truly helped me feel more comfortable. It helped me sit up comfortably on my bed as I struggled to fall asleep. I truly believed that sitting upright against the pillow on my bed truly helped me recover and fall asleep at the same time.

Not when sick, this pillow still really comes in handy when it comes to comfort. For me, this pillow was really worth every penny and I do recommend getting it if you're having trouble falling asleep or being comfortable.

Any pandemic is a time of struggle, and it is important to keep shedding light on pandemic related issues in order to get the world back to its "normal" state. However, it is also important to try and have a positive attitude in order to grow from the events that occur because of the pandemic. These hidden gems had made my pandemic experience more bearable, and I hope that you have some hidden gems as well.

Stay safe!