I'm doing my best to stay home, but I'm getting antsy!
There’s a bunch of hobbies or old interests that we can FINALLY catch up on in midst of this pandemic situation, but I don’t have to tell you that already. I’m not gonna list down 1000++ hobbies to pick up, wardrobe to clear out, skills to learn, or goals to chart out.
Although, well; I do encourage productivity. If you haven’t done anything to boost your mind or body, you may consider starting small to get that dose of inspiration. I have a really simple bar of expectation on that; and I mean as simple as Netflix, or a movie. Have you watched Money Heist? Besides learning their robust expressions, Spanish as a language was pretty captivating too! Did I pick up Spanish after that movie? Nada. But did it open a possibility for me to learn Spanish? Sí. Whatever we put our hands to, do it with a learning mind and we’ll get something good out of it. As for me, estoy lista para aprender español! (totally Google translated)
Come to think of it, if you play online co-op survival games, do hit me up. *winks* Gaming boosts our creativity and mental reflexes and.. Yeah, you get me.
On the days that you are living Bruno Mars’ today-I-don’t-feel-like-doing-anything moments, these are what I would do I I were you. By the way, do you like tacos?
11 GOLDEN things to do at home during the 2021 pandemic.
1. Call someone
If you are not feeling anti-social, pick up that phone and call a friend you’ve been wanting to catch up with, but never did. There’s almost no excuse during the lockdown – to NOT call someone up. Even better if you have an unlimited call time mobile package.
It’s a good chance to express a long-kept appreciation or apology, or anything you’d like to get off your chest. “So… I’m calling just to let you know that I really liked the top you wore to our class reunion dinner 3 years ago. And that yellow flary one 5 years ago too.” If it may turn awkward, always go back to the golden question: “So how’s pandemic treating you?” Foolproof, guaranteed.
2. Watch good videos of film/food critiques
Dispose the negative vibes and watch they way those critics point out pros versus cons in the most descriptive, expressive, passionate ways with the most accurate, precise, flawless words. Especially beneficial if you have challenges in terms of verbally portraying your thoughts. Maybe practice in the mirror after! The Sims taught me that it works to help with Charisma.
However, beware; choose the next critic to follow if it’s teaching you how to call people a stupid sandwich. Have you watched “Me or the dog”? Love that sweet flair to that stern tone Victoria has. Ironic, but true!
3. Turn digital photos into a physical photo album
How many of us, in 2021; have a proper, physical photo album when we can flip pages in those sticky laminated or slot-in surfaces, filled with photos from the recent decade? Unless you recently got married or had to impress a crush with an LED-lit photo string for Valentine’s, I don’t think we do that anymore. Thank you, technology!
But really, why you would want to do this: 1) In case your digital devices fail on you and you lose a copy of your memories. 2) Have something entertaining for your guests to look at (and talk about) when they visit you. 3) Pandemic, at home, all that extra time, that mood to do nothing. Duh.
You have work, but fun work to do: select your best pictures, get them printed out, and show off your artistic photo arrangement skills.
4. Join a group
Sorry, we cannot go physical for now. Thankfully, the flexible thing about joining an online group is how engaging or not-engaging we can be. You can be super talkative and nobody interrupts you while you are talking (a.k.a. typing), or you can sit at a corner and nobody demands you to converse (sorry bruh, afk).
Besides getting a social dose, we also get to update ourselves from a pool of information!
If you don’t know where to start, quit a negative group and join a global COVID-19 public group on Facebook. Listening to the world talk about our shared pandemic is keeping me more alive. *sobs*
5. Do what an Alzheimer’s patient would do
Before you scroll away, note these activities are what we do when we were YOUNGER. Repetitive yet engaging; and before you know it, hours pass by – just like how we scroll on Facebook or TikTok, except these games get you off the screen and actually build the brain.
Repetitive, useful, effortless. No competition, no expectation. Perfect for a Bruno Mars day. Any of these new to you?
- Jigsaw puzzle
- Play with poker cards
- Sudoku / Scrabble
- Trivia
- Play skribbl.io on computer
Skribbl.io though, guys. That level of basic. How did I even spend one full hour on that?
6. Tie knots
One of the things I enjoyed most during schooling days was learning knots in Scouting. Specific knots can save lives when you need them – not that anything bizarre can happen to you when you’re sitting at home. Um. Just to confirm, it’s quite impossible for an airbus to crash land on our house… Right?
Knots are not only for ribbons or gifts, we’re talking boating, fishing, climbing or even surgical knots. We use specific knots to tie 2 ropes of different thickness. A special knot to tidy fraying ends of a rope. Did you know about Cat’s paw or Cow hitch? I bet some founders are animal-lovers.
A world of knowledge, just playing with ropes.
7. Travel the world with Google Earth
What do we want? TRAVEL! How do we do it? *starts crying* Fret not! Now we can do it via Google Earth! I assure you this is not an advertisement. Just inner voices.
If there’s somewhere you want to go, Street View the bananas out of Google Maps/Earth. It’d be almost as if you are walking the streets of that location (before you snap back to reality). Your next conversation with a friend will go like this: “Did you know that I recently went to Timbuktu? That gigantic sandcastle was the highlight –” Then you go sharing badly edited pictures of yourself in a virtual location to add onto the convincing action.
Oh, Timbuktu. What did The Charmed Ones do to me.
8. Write will and organize affairs
Let’s slot in a bit of seriousness in here, because what better day to do this than a relaxed mind and a do-nothing day? Just so you know, it’s perfectly legal to write your own will, preferably handwritten. Sign it, date it, and have 2 adults witnesses to read and sign it too.
Research what needs to be in a proper, legitimate will and get down to it. Who is going to inherit my money? Who is the one to inherit my favorite childhood possession – the old trusty yo-yo? Where do I want to be buried or cremated?
After all, ‘t’s life’s brief candle. ‘t may beest too late as tomorrow may nev’r cometh. Oh, so melodramatic. Let’s move on.
9. Online shopping
Keyword: MODERATION. If you ask a shopaholic, they might share less about controlling their online spending, but can tell you everything awesome about shopping online. So convenient! Right to your doorstep! So much cheaper! Plenty of choices! Reliable if you look right! Rebates and points!
That is all true, by the way. Stocking up home supplies or home improvement items has never been easier. I am a big fan of online shopping but let’s not be biased on that. We shall start with the disadvantages.
Cons:
- No physical ‘feel’ of the item
- Risk of item damage
- Need to order in advance to avoid shipping delays
Pros:
- Convenient!
- Cheaper!
- Choices!
- Reliable!
- Rebates!
- Saves the commute!
- Saves the load-carrying!
- Social distancing!
- Perfect during pandemic!
That’s about the fairest Pros VS Cons summary you can find.
10. Online games, movies, videos
Endless options here but let’s get straight to some favorites.
Paid multiplayer/group games:
- Tabletop Simulator (online boardgame)
- Don’t Starve Together (survival)
Free solo or multiplayer games:
- Dota Underlords
Videos:
- Simon Sinek’s talks
Netflix:
- Queen’s Gambit
- Money Heist
Netflix Documentaries:
- Dirty Money
- Social Dilemma
- Salt Fat Acid Heat
Life changing items listed right there, guys.
11. Care for yourself
I thought this would be a good ending point to the list.
Out there: Face masks, sanitizers, avoid physical contact.
At home: Keep mental & physical health in check, sleep well, eat well, exercise well.
Keep the body movin’ and the mind groovin’.
Be safe, be healthy, be happy!
Save this list via screenshot/bookmark if you need a reminder.