12 Things That Got Me Through a Horrible Year

A year ago, when a friend tipped me off about the shelter-in-place order that would soon blanket the Bay Area, I was incredulous: Two weeks spent confined to our homes? The idea seemed outlandish—we were having dinner at a popular Burmese restaurant in Oakland, and though there were admittedly more free tables than usual, a presiding sense of normalcy made the prospect seem far-fetched. We’re not a country that does well with government-mandated restrictions, I pointed out.

Of course, those initial two weeks have stretched to 52 and counting—and while we’ve undoubtedly struggled with hunkering down, social distancing, and even mask-wearing, those of us who have been lucky enough to remain in our homes or find safe harbor with family have settled into new routines. Much of what’s brought me comfort during the pandemic can’t be bought—Zoom sessions with far-flung friends, bike rides along the shoreline—but in terms of earthly possessions that have made home feel like a refuge, these are the MVPs.

The first time I draped this chunky weighted blanket over me, I thought, "Oh, no. This isn’t going to work." But that was before I learned how to relax under its soothing, calming, immersive weight. It’s like a hug you can wear! Plus, the oversized knit is undeniably cute.

After I was mugged last summer, my dear friends put together a care package that included this rosewater spray. It’s meant to be used as a face mist, but I like to spritz the air at the end of my bedtime routine and stand under its floral drizzle for an instant pick-me-up.

It’s hard to recommend candles because scents are so personal, but this has been, hands-down, the most intoxicating mix I’ve encountered: gardenia, ginger, coconut water, jasmine, and sandalwood. It has depth without being too murky, and is floral without being too sweet.

It’s been a landmark year for hot springs and hot tubs in my life, I’m happy to report. I recently got a matching set of these organic waffle-weave robes that make the transition from rejuvenating water to cold night air a spa-like experience in and of itself (okay, or at least spa-adjacent).

I am not a "nails" girl. I’ve had exactly two manicures in my life, and then only due to peer pressure, so it took a sale and pandemic boredom to convince me to try this set from Chillhouse (I got Wavy Baby, Dot Matrix, and Editor-in-Chill). They were easy to put on, lasted a good while, and made me feel femme even though I’d been wearing the same pair of leggings for a week.

Is your idea of a good time getting emotionally vulnerable with friends, lovers, or even complete strangers? Are you ready to risk crying over a card game? Then boy, do I have just the thing for you! This deck includes questions and interactive prompts with three levels of intimacy so you can really dig deep with the people you care about—or are just getting to know.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, The Chameleon is a game that’s more party-friendly (when those are a thing again) and feels like a mashup of Mafia and Codenames. It’s easy to learn and quick to play, so you’re not glued to the table for hours—no offense to Catan lovers.

Being indoors for long stretches of time has brought me renewed appreciation for my plants, not the least of which is the gigantic monstera I inherited from an upstairs neighbor. Seeing the tender green fronds unfurl in the spring—despite minimal care on my end—were legitimate highlights to my day.

I’m eternally grateful to have spent lockdown in California, where the weather is magnificent and there’s plenty of outdoors to explore. I got a lot of mileage out of this seemingly bottomless backpack, which has all the bells and whistles you need for a long weekend in the mountains.

Like many of us, I experimented with new recipes during lockdown, most of them of the drink variety. I’ve been known to do a "Jenny pour" instead of measuring proportions, so for my birthday I got a new barware set from Viski in sleek gunmetal black—this one’s pretty similar.

There was no shortage of powerhouse novels published in 2020. Two that have left a lasting impression are How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang, a mythic tale of a Chinese family set in the old American West, and Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam, a story about two families colliding in the Hamptons that’s deeply unsettling in the best way.

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