›› James Weller
After weeks and weeks of sitting at home, you might be quickly running out of things to do. You’ve watched all of the shows you’ve been meaning to watch. You’ve caught up on all of the work you’ve been meaning to catch up on. And most likely, you’ve Zoomed with everyone you could possibly care to Zoom with. Now what?
Here are a few ways to pass the time that are fun, time consuming, and some in instances, even productive:
Read a book
Balancing work, family, your commute, and your health have probably forced you to stop a lot of activities you used to love. Likely, reading is one of them. With the extra time you have to yourself, now is the perfect time to read that novel you’ve always wanted to read, or finish that book that you ditched half way.
You might be saying to yourself, “I’m just not a reader.” However, you might just not be reading the right things. Think about your interests, hobbies, and fascinations. Then, do some research on leading books for those topics, and order one of them from a local book store. Anyone can be a reader if they’re reading something they care about.
Go for a walk
Walking as an activity isn’t for everyone. However, it’s a great opportunity to get some fresh air while getting in your 10,000 steps. If you feel like walking is aimless, wait until you have a chore to do and take the long route to get there. This will give you a sense of purpose on your journey. You could also try exploring a new area near you that you’ve never ventured to before on foot.
If you find walking boring, try listening to music or a Podcast. Walks are a great time to finally listen to that new album from a favourite band, or learn something new on a podcast.
Cook dinner
You’ve likely never had the time before to make a gourmet meal and relied on frozen foods, take-out, or easy to make dishes. Right now is the perfect time to view your food as more than just sustenance. Instead of avoiding complicated recipes online like you used to, embrace them.
Spend time on dinner, and make it an activity that you and those you live with could do together. You’ll see that your food tastes much better after you’ve given it proper time and care.
Take up a new hobby
Do you have an old guitar that’s collecting dust in a closet somewhere? Or paint and a few brushes that hardly get touched? While you’re at home, you could take up a low-stress hobby, or revisit one that got neglected in the hustle and bustle of your daily life.
Hobbies to try could include knitting, drawing, baking, playing an instrument, or even learning a new language. There are no shortage of places online where you can order essentials for these hobbies, and no shortage of apps that can help you master them.
