I’ve only been social distancing for a week, and I already feel like I’m running out of things to do. But we can protect ourselves from COVID-19 and still have fun without breaking the bank. Don’t believe me? Keep reading!
- Paint Something
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Honestly, I’ve been painting a lot. Before I was trapped in my house for weeks on end, I didn’t even realize I liked painting, but now, I have beautiful canvases lining my walls. Check out Pinterest for inspiration or queue up Bob Ross for premium relaxation. You don’t need a perfect art studio to give painting a try. You just need some paint, a surface, and some inspiration.
- Begin Journaling
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About five months ago, I decided to give bullet journaling a try, and now, I’ll never turn back. I can customize my planner for maximum productivity and relax by doing something creative. However, if you’re more into traditional journaling, this is the perfect time to start. If you don’t have an aesthetic journal or a multitude of fancy pens, don’t sweat it. You just need some paper and a writing utensil, and if you’re trying to conserve resources or just want to go digital, consider creating a word document where you can express yourself. You can even use the Notes app if you have an iPhone.
- Start Reading
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Sometimes, you need an escape, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you can’t venture outside, pick up a book instead. Try to use books you have at home, especially if you’re a book hoarder like me, but if you run out, you can purchase E-Books for a low price or explore books in the public domain.
- Organize & De-Clutter Your Space
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As someone who doesn’t live at my family home full-time, coming back to my old bedroom after living in my own apartment was stressful. Because I hadn’t lived there in a while, there was clutter everywhere. For someone who isn’t super neat, I still get stressed out in cluttered spaces, so I finally bit the bullet and Marie Kondo’ed my bedroom. Now, I’m much more relaxed, and I found some things I forgot I even had, meaning I don’t have to re-buy them.
- Learn a TikTok Dance
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Will this add a ton of value to your life? Probably not.
Will you feel a little silly? Yes.
But is it still something fun you can do to take your mind off the craziness in the world? Yes!
- Learn Something New
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If you want to take your mind off of online classes, learn something else – online. Take a topic you’re interested in and just explore it. Youtube is full of tutorials to help you, and consider signing up for something like SkillShare, where you can take classes on different topics and get 2 months free.
- Do Yoga
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This a great time to pick up yoga! I started doing yoga after taking a leisure skill class during my freshman year, and it really improved my fitness, flexibility, and mindset. Yoga is easy to pick up at home, especially if you watch youtube videos. If you’re not into Youtube, you can find tons of apps on the App Store.
- Listen to a Podcast
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I love podcasts because they’re so convenient. You can easily fit a podcast into your schedule, and if you find a good one, you’ll be so hooked that you’ll want to fit them in constantly.
- Finally Watch Those Movies You’ve Had in Your Queue Forever
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If you’re anything like me, your queue is full of movies you’ve been meaning to watch but never really do. When I’m stressed, I usually relax by watching the same old movies because they’re comfortable and familiar, but this is a good time to engage with new content. Normally, I oscillate between murder mysteries and sitcoms, but I’ve been experimenting with period pieces, black and white films, and more artistic productions. Now, I’m finally going to watch Marriage Story, and I hope it lives up to the hype.
- Try an At-Home Workout
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Now that I’m not running around Clemson’s campus trying to get to class, my step count is abysmal. I’ve tried to get outside by taking my dogs for a walk, but there are so many at-home workouts that I could do a new one every hour and never run out. Youtube is full is videos, and Blogilates started a 14-day challenge on her Instagram for people staying at home.
- Play a Game
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Personally, I love board games, card games, mobile games, and video games, so I’m playing a lot of them. If you don’t want your screentime to go up, try learning a new card game, or if you want to vicariously go out in the world, consider something like the Sims 4, which is currently on sale.
- Stay in Touch with Friends
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Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t be social at all. Reach out to friends through social media or text, and maybe even give them a call! Organize a group video call and let them know how much you miss them.