Author Note: This article is part of a collection from the previously lost Bordering Bears website, and has thus been re-uploaded and archived.
We all have to stay at home right now. That is a given. Staying home doesn’t have to mean missing out on things you enjoy. If you use a little bit of imagination, it’s possible to still enjoy yourself while keeping to the guidelines. This information may also be helpful in the future if weather, finances or illness impede you. Here’s 7 things you can do at home when social distancing.
1. Cinema time
Cinemas up and down the country are currently closed, and rightfully too. This means you can’t go out to watch the latest movies. While I, sadly, lack the means to access new releases, I can give you some ideas for home movie time. Ash bought me a popcorn maker because he knows how much I LOVE snacks. Store bought popcorn can be unhealthy, so we have started making our own.
Combine this with Netflix, Now TV or a movie and you’ve got yourself a cinema night.
2. Learn something
As we have more time on our hands, it can be good to try to learn something new. I’m currently looking at courses via Hubspot and OpenLearn in writing, social media marketing, and general business knowledge. I have used this period of social distancing to really think about what I’d like to do with my life.
3. Cook more
With most restaurants closed and takeaway being contact-free it is more important now that you are able to sustain yourself from home. You can get recipes online or order recipe books. You can even get recipe books from restaurants, such as Wagamama.
Whether you are a novice or experienced chef, there is something for everyone out there.
You may also like to try experimenting with recipes. Ash and I do this frequently. One of our top experiments was when making lasagne. We only had lamb mince, so chucked some mint sauce in too. Turns out it was a great idea and Minted Lamb Lasagne is now one of our household favourites.
4. Camp
Whether in your back yard or in your living room, why not go camping? Get yourself a tent, set it up and off you go.
For smaller homes or those without a garden, you may prefer to create a den. Use bedsheets, pegs, furniture… anything that can give you some form of shelter. Put down some cushions and duvets and sleep in your little den. Creating your den can also be a great activity to get the kids involved in.
5. Get healthier
Going out for exercise is completely fine. We have been on several bike rides, walks and even a jog (… once. I jogged once). It’s tempting to eat all the snacks while on lockdown. Trust me. I have. That can’t be good for your bank balance or your waistline. So exercising can be great.
You can’t stop for a picnic while out, but you can take some water. A bottle of water is essential to maintain hydration. If you’re out on a bike ride, it can be handy to have a basket to carry your drink and any shopping if you choose to cycle to the shops.
6. Nothing
Do nothing, nada, zip, sweet F A. That’s fine. While it’s great if you’ve done something productive, doing nothing is also great. You may be trying to maintain your mental health, and that is brilliant. Think about you first and foremost. If you don’t want to do anything, or don’t feel able, then don’t.
This also goes for the people who normally have hectic lives. If you usually spend a lot of time working and now have nothing to do, it might be worth making the most of the downtime. I get that, financially, it can be difficult, but it may be worth viewing this time as a part-paid vacation. Sit. Do nothing. Enjoy it.
7. Be productive
You could use this time creatively. Build something from materials you already have. Paint. Draw. Colour. Rearrange your furniture. Do something in this time that excites you.
Ash and I have rearranged our bedroom and tidied out old clothes and stored items. Our room looks so much bigger now.
I’ve been through all of my jewellery to find stuff that I’ll still wear, things that are broken, and things that I don’t wear.
From that, Feena has got a new pendant for her necklace (pictured at the top of the article). She adores the little piggy, and it is no longer gathering dust under my bed.
Feena regularly goes through her toys and clothes (with our help) to get rid of things that are either broken or too small/young for her. She tries to donate them to family friends wherever possible but has also donated them to charity shops.
While not all of these ideas are fun, we have used each of them to enjoy the lockdown and make the most of our time. Some days we have studied, worked and learned. Other days we have had fun and done leisure activities from the comfort of our home and surrounding area.
If you have any ideas on activities we, or others, could do, please let me know in the comments.
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