The last (for now) installment of things you can do from home during this time of self isolation. I hope you have tried a few and put others on your to-do list to revisit as these days and nights go from long to longer. Some of you, like me, are cancelling vacation plans (gee, thanks for the gift certificate instead of refund) but that’s another story. We may not get to see other parts of the world for some time but through the magic of TV and the internet, we can still view videos of the world. One of my favorite travel advisers is Rick Steeves who has lots of videos available on his website Give him a try, we used his information when we went to Europe last year.
Now for the final 20 and don’t forget to sign up for my new blogs as they are released, if you haven’t already done so.
1- Listen to Old Music:
We all have old songs and music that have some memories attached, albeit not all as pleasant as others. But it’s always fun to revive the positive memories and listen to songs you might have enjoyed with friends or families back in grade school or college. Singing along with those around you or getting your friends on a video call to do it with you can be great fun.
2- Have a Karaoke Night:
You can have a fun karaoke night at home with your family or flatmates. All you need is the internet for instrumentals of your favorite songs or famous songs that everyone knows, perhaps even songs you remember from years ago. It can be a nostalgic and fun experience for everyone.
3- Make up a new Dance Routine:
Dancing is a passion for many, and it is also a good way to exercise or just release some pent up energy. If you’re not already a dancer or just learning how to dance, making up your own dance routine can be fun. It will help raise spirits around the house, because, hey, who doesn’t love an emergency dance party?
4- Learn a Tik Tok Dance:
With the modern age of social media and the blissful existence of apps like Tik Tok, the internet is assaulted with a new Tik Tok dance routine or challenge almost every day. While it might be cringe-worthy, it can also be fun in an ironic way if you’re looking for ways to entertain your family, friends, or even your followers!
5- Make a Pen Pal:
These days not many of us have spare letter paper or stamps lying around the house, but that doesn’t mean we can’t improvise! There are modern methods for everything, and that includes writing to a pen pal. If you can’t write letters, finding an online friend you can communicate through via email or social media could be fun, especially if they’re from a different country.
6- Read Up on History:
Is there a chapter in history that particularly intrigued you while studying in history class, but you couldn’t find the time to delve more into it? Well, now you can. Expand your knowledge and read up about historical incidents and iconic times in history that have caught your eye.
7- Cut your Hair:
You might not be a hair stylist or even good with scissors, but with salons and barbers closed, cutting your own hair might be the only available option if your hair has grown to be unruly. You can watch tutorials online to guide you as you try your hand at a new haircut. And if anything goes wrong, don’t worry; with any luck it will grow out by the time the quarantine is over! Let’s remember that bald is beautiful.
8- Compile a Family Tree:
You might not have found time before to do something like compiling a family tree, but it can be quite useful in trying to connect with your ancestors or finding your family line. Perhaps someone in the future would also thank you for not letting vital family history be lost. Sit with your parents or grandparents, and try to get to know as much as you can from them and draft up a family tree. There are many online tools to help.
9- Learn More About your Ancestors:
While you track down the long line of family members, maybe you can try searching upon those that have very little information attached to them. Ask the older members of your family if they can find old journals, certificates, or letters than can give more insight into the people in your bloodline. Think back to that reference I made in parts 2 and 3 about creating a biography and perhaps do some research on ancestry.com or one of the other genealogy sites.
10- Make an App:
If you know about software, technology, or computers, and find yourself capable of making an app, this might be a good time to give it a try. Find a topic that interests you or an idea you may have about an app that no one has created yet. Use your knowledge to make it and share it with your friends and family to download it and try it out.
11- Do a Formal Night:
Staying at home might make you lethargic, and finding the energy to change out of your pajamas might seem like hard work. So how about you declare an upcoming night a formal night and get everybody to dress up and look their best for it. Cook some delicious food, lay the table nicely and make it a dinner night like you would if you were going out to an expensive restaurant.
12- Make S’mores:
Who says you need to make a fire outside for you to enjoy some S’mores? Stovetop S’mores is an easy way for you to have them at home. Bring out some marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate, and cook some marshmallows on your stove for everyone to enjoy. Of course, they would not have the same effect as it would if you were on a camping trip, but it can still be really fun. (If you’re in the UK you can use digestives or rich tea biscuits).
13- Play Indoor Sports:
You might not be able to go outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be sporty and find your inner athlete. You can set up a basketball net in your house. Clear some space and make teams for everyone to be involved and have fun. If you fear something breaking, you can stick to actual indoor sports such as table-tennis and badminton. Stay active to keep yourself fresh and happy.
14- Go Live on Instagram:
With your choices fast depleting, going live from your Instagram may be a good idea. You can go live and even invite others to join you in your session. Interact with your followers, tell them funny stories, and even play games with them so it is fun for everyone. It can be quite hilarious to do this with your friends.
15- Make a Vlog or Video:
If impromptu entertainment like Instagram Live isn’t really your cup of tea, you can try pre-recording a video or a vlog for your social media. It doesn’t have to be anything serious or even scripted. It could be just you recording interesting moments of your day, doing fun challenges, or telling jokes with your family!
16- Do a Movie Marathon:
While watching a movie is probably the first idea to strike up in everyone’s mind; doing a movie marathon of some of your favorite movies can be a different way to have some fun. Some infamous movies that have many parts such as the Harry Potter movies, or the Lord of the Ring movies, make up for good movie marathon material. You can do this alone or with your family members, and we can almost certainly guarantee everyone will enjoy it.
17- Make Use of Netflix Party:
Not everyone knows this, but while you’re away from friends, you can actually still find a way to watch movies with them. Netflix has an extension on Google Chrome called Netflix Party that allows you and your friends to watch the same movies from their individual homes. You can play and pause at the same time to stay in sync, while a chat bar at the side lets you chat during it as well.
18- Empty Out your Fridge or Freezer:
Why not use this time to empty your fridge and freezer of all of its old content. Find things stashed away that you may have frozen months ago but forgotten. You can make them now for everyone to enjoy, and it can also help you with cleaning.
19- Watch Funny Video Compilations:
We all could use a laugh at this very stressful time, and rather than panicking, why not divert our attention to something nice on the internet. If you go looking you can find many funny video compilations of animals and people doing funny things, either on purpose or by accident. They can be very entertaining.
20- Make a Bucket-list:
While you’re in self-isolation, your mind must be swarming with thoughts about all the things you could have done while you were ‘free’ but didn’t or all the things you wish you could be doing. Jot them all down into a list and make it your bucket-list that you can try and achieve once the isolation ends.
And finally…
21- Make Resolutions:
It might not be New Year, but who says you can’t try to turn over a new leaf? Write resolutions for yourself to achieve during self-isolation and try to accomplish them while you’re at home, such as losing weight or learning something new. You may very well come out of this quarantine, a whole new person!
OK, OK so I lied, there are actually 101 ideas in these posts – excuse me for over-delivering. I have a number of other things that I plan to post here, some of which will turn into books or something else and I would like you to be my audience. If you haven’t already done it, sign up for my blogs to be sent to your inbox, leave a comment and share anything that you think your friends and family might appreciate.
I really do appreciate any feedback either here or on social media as I continue to try and bring a little sanity, common sense or perhaps just humor to the world.