An important reminder: “We are all in the same boat. We are not all in the same storm.”

This is a continuation of my series on the silver linings of self-isolating. (Click for Part I and Part II.)

• I’m using up things in my pantry. Limiting grocery shopping trips to once a week has encouraged me to be more creative and resourceful with the food I have. I’m turning excess fruits and veggies into smoothies, using flour and other staples to make baked goods and pancakes, and finding a purpose for random canned goods that have been sitting around for months or longer. I’m reducing food waste while also decluttering my cabinets

• I am more in touch with nature. Obviously quarantine isn’t all walks in the woods, but I have been going for walks most days. Rather than sitting in a windowless courtroom, I’m mostly working from my dining room, which has big windows and lots of natural light. When I look up from my laptop, I see lush green grass, flowering trees, and the still water of the lake down the hill. I can open the windows and hear birds singing. I spend a couple of hours a week pulling weeds and trimming bushes, enjoying being outdoors as well as the physicality of the task and the visible results.

• My life feels more efficient. I used to lament all the time I spent driving from place to place. To daycare, to work, back home, to the gym, to various places for shopping and social functions — it felt like I wasted numerous hours of my life sitting in the car. I’d make it more enjoyable by listening to the news, podcasts, or audiobooks, or by calling friends and family members, but I always felt it wasn’t the best use of my time, not to mention all the gas I was consuming. I also spent a good bit of time getting ready in the morning. Not anymore. I feel like the way I spend my time now is much more efficient, intentional, and in line with what I really value. I hope that when things get back to normal, I’ll be able to come up with ways to incorporate these newfound efficiencies into my everyday life.

Have you noticed any secondary benefits of social distancing? Share them in the comments, and stay tuned for Part IV in this series.