Here we are in the midst of a global pandemic and the holidays are upon us. We are getting tired of being told to stay home, yet we know we must.
We can revel in our misery about it all, or do the best we can to make the best of it. It sucks, yes, but what are we to do? We wait for the vaccines, wear our masks, and try as best we can to bide the time until it is safe to resume our normal lives. Whatever normal will be after all this.
But maybe, you are running out of ideas?
Here's a few list of things to do with your pandemic downtime
Catch up on some shows
- Watch a series you’ve been meaning to see. (I just finished To the Lake on Netflix and man, was that a wild ride.)
- Break out the popcorn and turn down the lights.
- Re-watch a favorite movie.
- Go down the wormhole of internet videos on cats jumping off stuff, screaming goats, Tik Tok music videos, how-it’s-made stuff, conspiracy theories, or ghost stories. (Now, you have time!)
Work a jigsaw puzzle.
- Break out those dusty boxes of jigsaw puzzles from the top of the closet, clean off a table, and put on some music. Jigsaw away the hours — you’d be surprised how soothing it is to sit with a puzzle. Get the whole family involved!
- Add a jigsaw puzzle app to your tablet or phone (Here’s the one I like.)
Do a craft project or a project around the house.
- Break out that WIP. (That's "Works in Progress" fr you non-crafty peeps.)
- Learn a new craft — YouTube is great for tutorials!
- Build something. Sand something. Paint something.
- Fix something around the house that’s been patiently waiting for your attention.
Read a book.
- Yes, this ancient practice is something people still do.
- If you can’t find a book around the house — find books online that you can download.
- Read some poetry.
- Re-read an old favorite.
- Read to your kids. (I recommend some Shel Silverstein!)
Spend time with your family.
- Play board games, watch movies, take turns telling jokes or making up ghost stories — treat this like a sleepover fun time!
- Have a dance party. Seriously, kids love this. Just consult Tik Tok and you'll see.
- Let your kids plan an activity or put on a show for you.
- Whip out your best fun face and show your kids a more relaxed side of you.
- Cuddle.
- Play games or make up new games.
Spend time with your dog.
- Remember, you may be bored being stuck at home — but your dog is ecstatic. Your dog’s whole life is YOU.
- Cuddle with your dog (or other pet).
- Give your dog a bath and grooming.
- Spend some time sprucing up your dog’s living area — wash their bedding or bowls. Give them a treat.
- Play with your dog!
Catch up on your correspondence.
- Call your Mom. Call your Dad. Call a friend. Call your Aunt you haven’t talked to in awhile.
- Write a letter or card.
- Answer your emails. (While you’re at it — deal with those 3000 unread ones.)
- Touch base with potential career contacts or reach out to lingering loose ends.
- Check out what’s going on with your social media friends.
- Go down the heritage rabbit hole — maybe you’ll find a long lost relative!
- Zoom call or face chat.
Exercise.
- Get out that home exercise equipment and give it a go!
- Do some yoga.
- Find a YouTube video to teach you a new routine.
- Take a walk around your home.
- Dance!
Bake something.
- Ask Alexa for a new cookie recipe.
- Flip through your recipe books and pick something fun to try.
- Cook and prepare meals to freeze.
- Make a cake and decorate it.
- Teach your kids a new cooking skill.
Clean & organize your life.
- There’s no time like downtime to freshen up your home.
- Clean the floors, wash the curtains, de-clutter a closet or drawer.
- Work on a fix-it home project.
- Rearrange a room.
- Air out your home, burn some sage, steep some spices in a pot of water on the stove to give your home a fresh, clean smell.
We'll get through the holidays, get to a vaccine, and beat this virus, together.
If you'd like to share your downtime activities and how you're keeping sane through this whole pandemic--share them in the comments below. If you or a loved one is sick and you need a little support--share that as well so we, as a community of people who are out there doing our best to be good humans, can offer our support.
Stay safe my friends and wash your hands--like, a lot.
Christina M. Ward
well-life blogger and author of organic
* Some of the above advice was shared in a previous version (and adapted here) on the well-living blog Fiddleheads & Floss.