Tag: covid

Categories
Life

Top 10 Lockdown Sanity Tips

More lockdowns across Australia in recent months means more people losing their minds. So what are some ‘survival’ lockdown tips for your sanity? 

Here are the one’s that I’ve collected and found particularly helpful:

  • Do plenty of resting, and enjoy this ‘forced time off’ with things you didn’t have time for.
    Reading that book you keep putting off, or maybe moving forward with that craft project you’ve had sitting in the corner for the past six years… I love a good siesta, so having a nap or a relaxing afternoon with no work, is a good thing!
  • Dress up each day …most days).
    Getting dressed in ‘work clothes’ instead of PJ’s or sweats can be helpful to put you in a motivated type of mood. Even though I don’t put as much effort into it as when I’m physically leaving the house for work (and let’s face it, most days not wearing makeup), I still put something semi respectable on.
  • Start a new project, or home hobby.
    If you’re creative, you’ll know EXACTLY what project or hobby you’ve always wanted to get started. If you’re not automatically creatively inclined, you can still get something going!
    Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn to bake, paint, garden a pot plant, or start those diamond pictures. Whatever it is, there are loads of options that you can choose from!
  • Don’t obsess over the news.
    Sometimes we can find out focus in the wrong places. Yes, it’s good to keep up to date with what’s going on in the world, BUT obsessing over daily numbers, tragedy’s, or general negativity that you can find there, is not healthy. Try to catch up weekly, or just skim the headlines on your phone instead.
  • Binge watch your fav show, or a a new one.
    There are a lot of streaming services out there, and there’s also this neat invention called a ‘DVD’ (and yes, I still love those. Don’t believe me? Check out my video where I talk about why I love them so much HERE). So, if you suddenly find yourself with a lot more time than normal, it’s the perfect time to get your favourite show in – or start that one that’s been on your watchlist for far too long.
  • Take a relaxing bath.
    Even if you aren’t doing all the bubbles, fizzers, or various other “girly” type products, a bath is a way to break the routine of slouching around in your PJ’s. Maybe you’re doing it with the face masks and candles, or maybe you’re just relaxing in the hot water. Either way, a bath can be super relaxing.
  • Try writing a story.
    Even if you aren’t an author or blog writer, sometimes getting a pen and paper (or laptop, typewriter, whatever you like really) and coming up with a story can be really stimulating. You can get out frustrations with your situation, you can fantasise over how you wish things were, or you could just imagine a world far, far away that is NOTHING like our current one.
    Get those creative juices flowing!
  • Stay connected to friends and family with technology.
    There are a lot of ways to stay in touch with the people you love. If you aren’t able to see them in person right now, you can always call, text, or facetime with the people you care about. Catch up with them, share what you’ve done during lockdown, or have a junk food or movie party together!
  • Go outside, instead of online.
    Computers and the internet are great, but going outside, can be really good for you (unless it’s bucketing down with rain). It can break the monotony of being inside, and can bring those endorphins if you’re exercising.
  • Listen to a podcast or audiobook.
    Sometimes a screen isn’t the answer. It’s easy to sit down and watch hours and hours of TV, but a podcast or audiobook can be a great way to pass the time. Listen to a story, or something interesting in a podcast.

Whatever you find works, STICK WITH IT. Maybe it’s some of the lockdown tips on my list, or maybe it’s something else. Whatever keeps you sane, we’re all just doing the best we can, in a really unusual time.

If you want to read my book, head to the link >>>here for the KIDNAPPED Entanglement eBook, OR get the paperback direct from me for the cheapest price!

If you have any other lockdown tips and tricks, share them in the comments below and let’s support each other.

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Don’t Wear a SPIRITUAL Mask

mika-baumeister-uz_T7h8ds04-unsplash

This is a season of masks. 

Physical masks have become the mandate from our governments, health professionals, colleagues, friends, and family. The goal is to keep us safe, but how many of us a wearing a mask over our spirit?

I was spending time with God, and he gave me a word that I couldn’t not share with you – this word is for YOU! It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live, or what you’re facing, this is the word that God wants you to hear.

 

So, what do masks do?

  1. They hide your face. The remove the identifying markers that make people able to recognise you.
  2. They take away your breath. Often while wearing these masks, when we try to walk or talk with the masks on, we run out of breath/steam.
  3. They muffle/distort your words. We can’t always hear what that cashier behind the counter is asking us, because a mask is blocking the words – or the MESSAGE – that they are trying to share with us.

When God shared those with me, he added his own flavour to the mix. Advice, a pleading, a desire for us to not put a mask on our hearts or spirits. Because when we do, we end up doing the following:

  1. We forget our true identity in Christ. We are formed of his image, and we have a called identity to live without fear, but with peace, love, joy and so much more. Our IDENTITY is something we should never lose sight of.
  2. A spiritual mask can block the BREATH, or the Life in you. Sometimes we feel like we’re running out of steam, and it’s hard to continue. We can’t quite catch our breath. Don’t let the breath of life continue to work in you, and through you.
  3. We can find that the message/our words are distorted. When you are wearing a spiritual mask, you can be speaking out of hurt, out of misunderstanding, or many other things. This can be a problem. When we get the message – God’s message – out into the world, we need it to be clear, consistent, and correct. We can’t let it be muffled, distorted, or muted.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t wear the physical masks, but I am asking the question. Are you wearing a SPIRITUAL mask?

This is a strange season, but if you feel like you are wearing a spiritual mask right now, reach out to your pastors – who are called to lead and guide you. Reach out to your family or friends – who you know and trust to show you how to take off this mask. Don’t lose sight of God and his word.

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Food On A Budget

So right now, I’m doing food on a budget. How does that look? And can you even get any good food for as little as $50 a fortnight (or $25 a week!!)? 

Lockdowns have caused funds to dwindle (especially mine, where my day job is school photography. Not an essential service apparently). So I’m trying to be more thrifty with my funds and stick to a food budget.

There are some fortnights where I only spend $30 for food, and others where I spend $70. So I’ve shared my ‘Penny Pinching Budgeter’ example (coins for visual), and a ‘Super Budgeter’ example. (use superman type logo for this one)

Also, I should mention that planning your meals in advance, can really help reduce your expected costs. If you know what kind of food you like to make (and that you’re going to actually stick to your shopping list), it becomes pretty clear, pretty quickly what you will need to grab on your next shopping day!

>>>Grab the eBook version of my book – “KIDNAPPED Entanglement” HERE

Some basic things to remember on saving money include

  • Avoid brand names that are expensive (the homebrand stuff is either just as good, or better on your money belt anyways. You’ll learn to appreciate the slightly different taste if you’re an avid foodie).
  • Who says your grocery trip has to be exclusively at ONE store? Going to a few different places (like that discount grocery place alongside your normal supermarket) can drastically make a difference. When money counts, it pays to do a few extra steps on shopping day.
  • Cut out on those luxuries this time, so you can grab them next time. It’s okay to skip a week of chippies, chocolate bikkies, or that special drink of yours.
  • Be creative with the limited choices you have. It’s easy to use Bolognese sauce JUST for spaghetti, but have you ever looked into the various recipes and options you can do with it? There are so many choices if you’re just willing to get a bit more creative!

Super Budgeter ($60-70 P/F for 1 person)

  • Tier 1 Essentials. These guys are the things you need every week, and use all the time:
    Milk, bread, eggs, cheese, toilet paper.
  • Tier 2 Essentials.
    Pasta, rice, sauces, fresh veggies (like lettuce, cucumber, carrots etc), potatoes, frozen veggies.
  • Tier 3 Essentials. This is your meat section. Meat can be pricy, so if you’re willing to go without a whole bunch of meat (or be a bit more particular), your bills will decrease quite a bit!
    Chicken, mince, ham.
  • Tier 4 Essentials. This is your cleaning and sanitary stuff. If you needed things like toothpaste, try grabbing those long lasting ones that only cost an extra buck or two.
    Dishwashing tablets/liquid, laundry liquid, shampoo, conditioner.
  • Miscellaneous. This is the stuff that you add to the cart when you’ve collected those essential
    Bagels, donuts, 2 minute noodles, Tacos, Pizzas, chips, drinks, fruit.

Shopping at places like Aldi, or discount grocery stores, I can easily hit this $60-70 mark for a fortnight (one person only though guys… keep that in mind!).

Penny Pinching Budgeter ($20-30 P/F for 1 person)

  • Tier 1 Essential.
    Milk, bread, eggs, cheese, toilet paper.
  • Tier 2 Essentials.
    Pasta, rice, sauces, frozen veggies, potatoes.
  • Tier 3 Essentials.
    Chicken, mince.
  • Tier 4 Essentials.
    Laundry liquid, dishwashing tablets/liquids
  • Miscellaneous.
    There ain’t none baby!

This can be harder to achieve, and you have to be a bit more brutal with your choices. Giving up a LOT for this price point. When you’re down to the wire for money though, sometimes all you can survive on is rice and beans (so to speak)!

These examples were just some of the ways that I try to be thriftier on a food budget when the money isn’t rolling in. They’re easily adjustable if you wanted to try them, but I always try to keep in mind that the more I look at those chip and cookie rows, the more I’ll want to grab some from them.

What foods do you think you could live without if you had to? Share with us in the comments below.

See You in The Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Birthday In Central Park…? | I SPY, IN JULY

youtube

Butterflies exploding in my face, non alcoholic jelly shots, and heading out to central park (even in lockdown)… Interesting birthday moments

My birthday was great, even in lockdown (again!) – and I’m glad I got to share some of it with you guys!

>>Check all about my first book – KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here

Thanks for celebrating my birthday with me!

I Spy In July is almost at an end – but there’s still some amazing videos to come! Check out the playlist for the ones so far
If you want to read my book, head to the link >>>here for the KIDNAPPED Entanglement eBook, OR get the paperback direct from me for the cheapest price!

Don’t forget to check back every night this month for another video – there are some pretty fun things coming!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Making The Most of Lockdown | I SPY, IN JULY

youtube

Well, it’s lockdown time again in Victoria 🙁
All the sad emoji’s in the world couldn’t convey how some of us feel…

HOWEVER, even in the angst, I am determined to make the BEST out of a bad situation.
How am I making the most out of lockdown you ask? Well, I’m showing you by taking you on my ‘lockdown vlog’

>>Check all about my book – KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here

If you want to read something in the lockdown (or just in general), head to the links below to grab my book! It’s a Christian suspense and will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way until the end.
If you want to read my book, head to the link >>>here for the KIDNAPPED Entanglement eBook, OR get the paperback direct from me for the cheapest price!

Don’t forget to check back every night this month for another video – there are some pretty fun things coming!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Working From Home | Pros and Cons

youtube

With the shift this year in more people working from home, I have been one of the lucky few to experience this.

Estimated Reading Time: 4min

My main day job is school photography, and with all the shut downs of schools, we haven’t been able to get out there for most of the year!

So when restrictions in VIC eased in November, it was boots to the ground – lets smash out as many schools as we can with the remainder of the school year! Still sticking with Covid safe workplace procedures, we got laptops and were sent home with remote access to get cracking.

Whos Ready working from home

It has been an interesting month or so with this idea of ‘working from home’ in a job which was NOT the case before this year. There are pros and cons that i’ve found for working from home, and I’m going to share…

PROS

  • I find the process a lot more ‘chill’. I’m at home, so I’m relaxed and have access to my kitchen, music and snacks! 😛
  • My commute is only a few steps! That, I’ve enjoyed.
  • If I want, I can wear PJs all day long (which I dont, but having the option is great!)
  • I feel pretty productive (most of the time)
  • Using the instant chat for work, I still feel connected to my fellow workers. Plus, we have virtual meetings (usually 2 a day) so we’re checking in constantly with each other.

>>>Get all the info about my book with my NEWSLETTER

CONS

  • The workload is gigantic! With so many schools to do in such a short time, we have ALL the work to do 😛 Careful what you wish for – that work would come back 😀
    It just means more hours than normal, and making sure to keep the same standard as always with a bunch more balls in the air than normal.
  • I miss the atmosphere/buzz of being in the office with all the amazing people that I work with. They bring an energy that I love, so that’s something I miss.
  • Because of the above point, I feel that I might be a little less productive than in the office. There are so many more distractions in my house, than in the office (believe it or not, with all the shenanigans that go on in that place 😀 )
  • Being stuck in the house all day was hard to find a routine that worked for me. I’m a pretty social person, and now that I live on my own, the only company I have (if I don’t leave the house) is my own.
    Don’t get me wrong, I’m a riot to hang out with (according to myself), but I miss people, having a set routine, and ‘missing’ my house.
Corona Working From Home

After a while, I’m finding my feet (only to get back into the office by early next year) and getting out with walks to the local Maccas, or nearby coffee runs. I’m finding where it fits – working at home, and getting used to a whole new routine.

For the past 5 months or so, I’ve been waking up whenever, going to bed late and doing all the writing- so it’s a bit of a change of pace!

Have you been working from home in this unusual season of life? What do you find are the pros and cons of that? I’d love to hear another ‘homers’ story!

See You in The Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Moving During Covid… Crazy or Brave?

moving during covid cgsp

Pack up the moving boxes, and take me away from my comfortable home with family into a first time apartment! Yup, you heard me right – I’m moving out… During Covid-19 lockdown

Am I crazy? Starting a new season in the middle of a lockdown? I don’t think so. I’ve been considering moving into my own place for about a year, and I found the perfect one. It’s been a whirlwind of a choice. Yes, Covid is here and we’re still in Victorian archaic lockdowns, BUT things are looking up and I’m going for it! I’m moving during Covid!

I wasn’t planning this, but I happened to have a squiz online at what was around, and found the perfect place. It ticked ALL (and I mean all) the boxes, and the video walk through looked great. With it being only 5 minutes away, I decided to give it a drive by and got such a good feeling in the area, and about the place in general. So, with nothing to loose (and my job on temporary hiatus), I applied for the property, not expecting much.

I especially didn’t expect what happened next – I got it! They called up only a few days later, and offered me the apartment. I got a little walk through, and I’m heading out like a chick from the nest in just a little bit!

It’s certainly a big change, but it’s exciting… and scary… and ridiculous… It’s safe to say that I’m riding the rollercoaster of emotions right now.

I know I’m not alone in this situation, stepping out and being brave despite the world’s situation.
Are you doing something brave during 2020? Let me know in the comments and we’ll share out crazy, brave decisions together!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

My first TV Interview With 1700

radio

My first author interview… sort of. It was great!!

Normally 1700 is shot live in studio here in Melbourne, Australia. With all the Covid restrictions, they’re doing things iso style – at home!

I got an amazing chance to chat with these beautiful people about the CGSP song competition, which was amazing!
I was SUPER nervous, but they were great, it was easy and hopefully looked okay 😀

I loved chatting about my book, myself and my song competition!

Keep checking back for MORE Kidnapped Entanglement news and exciting stuff as it gets closer to publishing! And you can sign up for my newsletter, which lets you know as well.

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace