Self-isolation has been pretty eye opening. I've learned several things about myself and my family while being forced to stay home. Here are 9 things I've learned during my stay at home.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

1. I'm learning to really cook. Seriously, when you are making most of your meals for yourself all day long, you start to try new things and take risks. Cooking in my house feels like it's becoming an activity and not so much a chore. P.S. I've even used REAL cookbooks for certain meals and not the internet! WOAH.

2. I spend a lot more time being present. This weekend my husband, son and I spent time playing blocks, baking treats, cooking dinner, cleaning up the house, coloring, doing science experiments and talking with each other. Normally, we'd be running around town shopping, going places, and living life fast. We're getting to know each other a lot better by not having anything to do.

3. Working from home isn't all it's cracked up to be. I always thought working from home would be fun, but it's way more of a challenge. I find myself having to set limits of when I need to work and when I need to turn work off, otherwise, I get consumed by it.

4. I'm so grateful for technology. I think I just took it for granted in the past. But, how amazing is it that we can watch pretty much any TV show or movie we want from any time ever from the comfort of our own couch? Being stuck inside isn't all that bad.

5. Minnesota is a beautiful place. When the only place you really can go is on a walk outside, you start to realize really fast how lucky you are to live in Minnesota of all the places in the world.

6. My home is a filthy place. Seriously. We're so bored here we're doing deep, and I do mean DEEP, cleaning projects. Have you ever vacuumed out your dryer ventilation system? OMG. Do it. Just do it.

7. Your mindset matters most. There are two kinds of people going through 'self isolation' right now. People who will sleep in all day, eat what they want and take a vacation from their health. And, then there are people who are going to use this time to become a better version of themselves. They'll eat right, exercise now that they have the time, etc. Your mindset matters. After all of this is over, come out of it being a better person.

8. I'm never going to complain about going to a family function again. Seriously, I don't care how far away it is, how unimportant the event is, etc. I'm not missing another family BBQ again if I can help it.

9. I'm learning new skills. My husband bought me a sewing machine for our anniversary this year because I really wanted to learn to sew. I finally have the time to sit down and learn a new craft. What a cool thing!

More From Mix 94.9