For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I have decided that I’m going to focus on my survival/coping strategies while practicing social distancing. What are the things that make it bearable? What helps alleviate my stress and fear–or at least what distracts me from both?
Right, so I almost talked about baking because I have made more cookies in the past three weeks than I probably had in the previous six months. So, sure, baking is definitely a soothing activity.
But I have been playing Bejeweled almost every night.
If you’re unfamiliar with Bejeweled, it’s the precursor to Candy Crush. The object is to get three (or four or five) of a kind of jewels in a row. After you clear one board, you go on to the next and the next and the next, forever and ever until there are no moves left and you get the ominous GAME OVER.
It is very soothing.
This is not the first time I’ve turned to Bejeweled in times of high stress. The last time was right before my move to California. I spent every night playing Bejeweled instead of packing. Somehow, it seemed like the smart choice.
And it seems like the smart choice now.
The Englishist 
My go-to activity during self quarantine would be eating said cookies, I’m afraid, so baking as an option is out. I’m using books, and this challenge, of course.
All the best for your A-Z!
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And, yes, books are also great!
Thank you!
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I had completely forgotten about Bejeweled but do remember playing it to soothe my anxious mind in times of stress. I can relate to the baking too. Off to bake Ethiopian bread right now for my son. I don’t have much experience as a bread baker, so we’ll see how this goes….
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Bread is fun! Even if you kind of screw it up, it usually works just fine if you slather some butter (or other topping) on it. YUM.
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HA! I used to play Bejeweled a lot. It’s highly mind numbing and I recommend it. But, it got very confusing for me and I stopped Now, I’m a Words With Friends person.
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I used to play Bejeweled. Now, I’m stuck on Tune Blast. 🙂
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I do not know this Tune Blast. I’m going to have to look it up.
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Don’t. Stay away. It is so addictive. I’m on level 2696. And my apologies. It’s Toon Blast.
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Hahaha the cautionary tale almost makes it more appealing. I’ll stay away for now, but I already know about it, so we’ll see how long I can resist.
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😀
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