2021

Happy New Year field trippers!

Are you reaching your limits of quarantine life? Hitting a wall when it comes to motivation, optimism, and general outlook? You are not alone. While it feels like pandemic life will never end, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Here is our survival guide to get through the next few months.

Your brain: Full disclosure, we haven’t yet read Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s newest book on brain health Keep Sharp (it’s out of stock everywhere). Luckily, you can hear him talk about it on Fresh Air and Armchair Expert to follow his advice — the best thing for your brain is to “take a brisk walk with a friend and talk about your problems”.

Take advantage of author talks and book clubs at Elliot Bay Books, Third Place Books and Seattle Arts and Lectures.

Podcasts for sanity: Bill Gates and Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions, Smartless, Second Life, Sway and Tig & Cheryl: True Story.

Expand your dinner repertoire with a cooking class from PCC Markets (hello Pozole Rojo!) or Sur la Table (profiteroles anyone?). Discover the latest cookbooks with author talks at Book Larder. Savor the charming podcast Home Cooking with Samin Nosrat and Hrishikesh Hirway.

Get ready for the spring growing season with online classes from the University of Washington Botanic Garden and Seattle Tilth. Learn how to prune your plum tree, pollinate with mason bees, start your veggies and flowers from seed or discover the principles of companion planting.

Movies: Did you always wish you could attend Sundance? This year you can! Join the legendary film festival online - talk about silver linings.

Gain new skills in a wide array of subjects with the Seattle Public Library’s online learning resources - learn a foreign language (over 70 available), web-design, photography, marketing, animation and more - all with free access using your library account.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Department is boosting their recreational offerings with free and low-cost exercise (pilates, yoga, aerobics) classes, music lessons, card games, teen hubs for students and child care.

Mix it up on wheels! Relive fond memories from the roller rink at Judkins Park with Roll Around Seatown. Bring your skates and pads, let’s roll! SO. MUCH. FUN.

Friluftsliv. Channel your inner Norwegian and get outside rain or shine (join us on a birding trip or low tide walk)!

We’re so close friends, hang in there. Keep washing those hands, wearing those masks and taking care of each other…we’ll make it!