I'm normally not a fan of posting twice in one day, but I was looking through the resources that I've found useful during COVID-19 and quarantine. I thought it would be helpful to share them sooner, rather than later, so I'm interrupting the regular blog schedule to bring you this hot take.
*none of the following are paid promotions and are simply resources that I have found to be helpful during this time*
For those who are looking to manage stress and decompress (or having trouble sleeping):
As part of COVID-19 relief, Headspace has partnered with the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to provide free resources, including mediations and 'sleep experiences', to the public. If you need some help managing stress and decompressing, I would definitely recommend this. The sleep experiences have been especially helpful for me as my chronic insomnia has been exasperated by the uncertainty we're all living in.
Do Yoga With Me offers a wide range of yoga classes for all skill levels and practice types. Their site is run off donations and they're currently offering 2-months free to anyone who is stuck at home do to COVID-19. If you've been missing your daily practice, I definitely recommend checking them out.
This app is perfect for anyone who is new to meditation and is skeptical about the practice (aka me- I have a hard time turning my brain off). 10 Percent Happier provides guided meditations and teachings that are designed to help you destress and decompress.
For creatives looking for inspiration:
This 30-day creative project was started by Suleika Jaouad, author of the acclaimed New York Times column and video series "Life, Interrupted," and features a daily prompt from various creative professionals. The project officially launched on April 1, but all past prompts are listed on Suleika's website so you can technically start whenever you'd like. I've been doing this series myself and it's helped keep my creative juices flowing. I also love the project's catchphrase: "One creative act a day. Alone, together."
A free course offered through Khan Academy, Pixar in a Box takes you behind the scenes and into the life of a Pixar artist. The course description says you'll learn how "to animate bouncing balls, build a swarm of robots, and make virtual fireworks explode." That all sounds pretty cool to me! I haven't started this course yet, but it's on my list of things to do.
I use this app in my regular day-to-day, but it's a great option for writers who need a little extra inspiration in their lives. The only downside is that you do have to pay for it, but you can get a yearly subscription for under $20.
For small business owners/entrepreneurs/independent contractors looking for financial relief:
Led by the founder of SewEthico, Cat Bradley, this FREE course offered through Teachable.com checks in on your mental and financial health and walks you through the financial relief options the federal government has made available to small business owners, self-employed individuals, and independent contractors through the CARES act. This course provides the information in easy to digest doses and offers additional insight into how to set yourself up for success post-COVID-19. In addition to this course, Cat offers additional resources on her website about how to keep working through COVID-19.
Fortune article- How small business owners and the self-employed can take advantage of the coronavirus stimulus package
This article, published on March 26, 2020, is another great resource for those looking to better understand what options are available to them as they face the financial uncertainty brought on by COVID-19. It goes into detail about which self-employed workers are entitled to unemployment, how to apply for a small business loan, and tips to generate more business during the lag.
While not as easily digestible as the other two options in this section, the SBA's website is another great resource. They have an entire page devoted to further information and guidance on the financial options available to small business owners, entrepreneurs, independent contractors, and gig-economy workers.
For those who have been furloughed or laid off as a result of COVID-19:
StillHiring.org - a collection of job postings for those who have been furloughed or laid off as a result of COVID-19
I wish I could give credit to the person who created this site, but I don't have that information available. I stumbled across this site in my LinkedIn newsfeed while I was looking for freelance and contract work (did I mention that I'm also a victim of COVID-19 layoffs?). It's a great resource and has a lot of information available on it, including hiring managers' direct emails. If you're looking for a new role, I would definitely recommend you check this site out.
Google Sheet of Available Remote Jobs - created in February 2020, this Google Sheet has 1,575 open jobs
Another project that I found in my LinkedIn newsfeed. Once again, I wish I could give credit where credit is due for this project, but I'm not sure who the original creator is. This spreadsheet was created in February, so I can't verify how many of these roles are still available, but if you're looking for work, this is another resource I'd definitely take the time to check out.
I hope someone out there finds this list helpful! If you have any additional resources that you'd like to share, please leave a note below in the comments.
Remember, we're all in this together and together we'll get through this!
Until next time.
-A