Over the last five years, I have embraced the concept of “The Yellow Pad Weekend” in my life. If you’re not familiar with it, let me explain what it means to me. My Yellow Pad Weekend is a monthly retreat where I escape to a remote area out of town for a weekend. I book a basic hotel room without many amenities, put away my computer and phone, and only use my smartphone for emergencies. The goal is to find a quiet and peaceful place to be alone without distractions. Armed with just a yellow pad and a pen or pencil, I spend the time thinking, writing, and making lists of things that went wrong, things that went well, and what I can do to improve.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve had plenty of free time—no traveling, no sporting events, no concerts, no parties. I’ve been home, and with no new scripted television programming, TV has become irrelevant to me. Even though sports have returned, my interest has waned.

Realizing early on that we would be spending a lot of time at home, I stocked up on essential supplies and prepared for the long haul. I turned this period into one extended Yellow Pad Pandemic. Throughout this time at home, I’ve had no friends, no family, and no visitors. I know many people reading this are in a similar situation: alone in an apartment, furloughed or laid off, or stuck at home for various reasons. We’re all frustrated, and some of us waste time going out and drinking. I chose a different path, using this time to implement all the Yellow Pad Weekend principles I’ve learned over the years. I saw this pandemic as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I decided to treat this time as a rare chance to focus. For many reading this, the pandemic may be the only time in your life with such an abundance of free time and no obligations. With nothing to do and no visitors, I turned it into one long yellow pad session, spending time thinking about how to improve and writing it down. I take long walks every day to think and write, and when I get home, I transcribe my thoughts, figuring out how to be better and more effective once life returns to normal.

I didn’t want to be lazy or spend months lying around, so I adapted the Yellow Pad Weekend principles to the pandemic, calling it the Yellow Pad Pandemic. I’ve taken extensive notes and written plans for self-improvement post-pandemic: how to be a better friend, better at work, and more engaged in my community. I reflect on how to stay on top of things, honestly critique myself, and identify what’s right and wrong with me and what I can do better next time. I think about what I miss during the pandemic and what I didn’t appreciate before, ensuring I value these things once I’m free to go wherever I want. My goal is to emerge from this healthier and better than ever.

You might find it helpful to do something similar, using the style of the yellow pad to plan what happens next and what you’ll do when this is all over.