Comforting Things, Vol. 5: Lauren Olmeda
“Comforting Things” is a series we started when we all reached out to each other, too angry and sad to do much of anything, and thought about what we could do to make each other feel better. We’ve kept on with variations of the series – “Comforting Films” being a fave – and we’ve decided to bring it back now, as we’re all confined to our homes and facing times that are not only destructive to physical health but to mental health, as well. Twice a week for the next few weeks, Attic writers and editors will take turns sharing what it is that they’re finding comforting in the time of COVID, hoping to create a better sense of community but also, in hope that you may find something that is comforting to you as well. In this latest piece, Editor-at-Large Lauren Olmeda shares the activities that help distract her through stressful days.
Quarantine has been an emotional rollercoaster for me. Some days I’m ultra-productive, running a 5K, writing a press release for work, finishing a book, and cooking dinner; other days it’s a miracle I don’t sleep through the whole day. I imagine it’s this way for lots of people as we try to adjust to (forgive the over-used phrase) our new normal. When the stress hits, I know I can count on Blair Waldorf and freshly baked banana bread to help me out and get me through the rough patches.
All photos courtesy of Lauren Olmeda.
REWATCHING FAVOURITE SHOWS
I’m finding so much comfort in rewatching old favourites. My husband and I are making our way through Breaking Bad again, but I’ve also got Gossip Girl on in the background pretty much whenever I can. Revisiting shows I love allows the time to pass without having to use my brain too much, and it’s so enjoyable to rewatch shows and pick up on things you missed the first time around! After I finish Gossip Girl, I think I’ll move on to Downton Abbey (I still haven’t seen the film!)
COOKING AND BAKING
Just before lockdown began, I got really into baking. BA’s Best Banana Bread recipe is an all-time favourite, and back when we were able to go to our workplaces, my coworkers loved it so much (they prefer it without chocolate, but I’m a fan of it). I’ve baked many of Sally’s Baking Addiction Blueberry Muffin Bread, as well as her Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Oatmeal Cookies. I’ve even tried my hand at her soda bread – I used to help my grandpa bake bread when I was young, so this was a really fun one for me.
I also have been cooking and enjoying it more than I used to; every evening we FaceTime my grandma in Michigan and do a little cooking show for her, which she enjoys so much and which helps me continue to cook rather than just popping a frozen pizza in the oven. Don’t get me wrong – that’s totally fine – but I find so much joy in making something from scratch, watching the ingredients come together, and tasting the creations that I’ve made. A few recipes I’m loving right now are Chrissy Teigen’s cacio e pepe, this super simple potato curry (I add green beans), and Alison Roman’s turmeric chicken sheet bake.
RUNNING
I’ve always been an on-and-off runner, but lately I have been running much more than I ever have. Normally I’d have to run before or after work, but I’m always so tired at both of those times that it’s hard for me to find the energy. Now I can run during the middle of the day on my lunch break while I’m working from home, which means I have no reason not to keep up with it! Even better is the gorgeous trail next to the River Liffey that I run on that’s within the 2km restrictions of Ireland’s lockdown. I’m so lucky to be able to run in such a gorgeous setting rather than on the treadmill in the gym like I was doing in January and February.
READING
I am one of the lucky people who is still working, but I definitely have more time to read than ever before. I have been ordering books from my local bookstores as much as I possibly can in order to help them stay afloat right now. A few recent favourites: Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor, Upstream by Mary Oliver, Every Last One by Anna Quindlen, and Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart by John Guy. Currently reading: The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
NATURE
We might not be able to go more than 2 km from our homes right now, but Ireland is the most beautiful place in the world, at least to me. The trees are blooming, there are little families with ducklings swimming in the river, the grass is blindingly green, and amazingly it has only rained a few times over the last month and a half. I love the rain, but I will admit the sunshine has made getting fresh air an easy task.
Lauren Olmeda holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international relations. She works in public affairs in Dublin, Ireland and is Editor-at-Large of the Attic on Eighth.
Continuing our series of Comforting Things in time of COVID, Culture Editor Eliza Campbell shares the things that have been soothing her soul in lockdown.