A lot of us are going to be quarantined at home for the foreseeable future – whether by mandate or by choice. The result is that we may have quite a bit more free time than we’ve had in recent weeks.
There are a number of ways you can choose to think and feel about being at home for this extended period of time, but I think it’s a great time to start doing all of those things we said we wanted to do, but just “never had time for.”
Here’s a list of ideas:
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1. Rest, relax, and catch up on some sleep.
Then when you’re recharged, continue down this list!
2. Exercise.
Try a new workout! There are so many workouts you can access online for free that don’t require anything but an internet connection and your own body.
3. Have a spa day.
4. Take a bubble bath.
5. Give yourself a makeover.
6. Watch makeup tutorials.
7. Try out new hairdos.
Just don’t impulse-cut your bangs, ok?
8. Learn how to braid.
9. Plan out your next year.
10. Write down your short term and long term goals
11. Journal.
12. Work on your mindset.
Read my post on how to stop thinking negative thoughts here.
13. Write a list of things you love about yourself.
14. Write a list of things you love about your friends or partner.
15. Write down the best compliments you’ve ever received or given.
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16. Create a vision board.
It could be a physical one with magazine cutouts and photos, or a virtual board on Pinterest!
17. Join a coaching program.
I’m in Grow You with Natalie Bacon and it has been SO helpful to prepare for this time. She is amazing and, seriously, her program is worth WAYYY more than what she charges for it.
18. Create a reading list.
19. Tackle said reading list.
(If you’re looking for any recommendations in the self-help or psychological thriller departments leave a comment! I read personal development and twisty mysteries…and virtually nothing in between!)
20. Listen to audiobooks.
I’ve had Audible playing constantly for the past week! If you’re new to Audible, you can get one free audiobook, two Audible Original audiobooks, and a 30-day free trial by signing up here.
Audible is also offering a collection of stories that are free to stream for kids while school is out.
21. Listen to podcasts.
22. Read blogs.
23. Start your own blog!
Check out my step-by-step guide here!
24. Declutter your home.
Get Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up or watch her show on Netflix!
25. Clean out your closet.
26. Once you’ve gone through your closet, look at what you have left and plan outfit combinations to wear!
27. Deep clean your house.
I mean dusting, scrubbing, sanitizing… it’s a pain to do but it feels so nice when it’s done!
28. Do some laundry and fold it.
(By far my least favorite chore, but it must be done!)
29. Sell your stuff.
It’s an easy way to make some quick cash.
30. Donate your stuff.
Check out your local homeless shelter’s wish lists to see what they need most.
31. Redecorate your home or reorganize your things.
Whenever I feel antsy or cooped up, I move all of our furniture around! It’s like creating a new living space.
32. Call a friend or family member.
33. Reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in years.
34. Call or message old bosses or colleagues to thank them.
35. Write thank you’s or gratitude notes to friends and family.
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36. Spend quality time with your kids, family, and pets.
My dog is probably wishing I would leave the apartment so he can get some sleep….
37. Virtual dinner party!
I love this idea and want to implement it immediately!
38. Connect online with others via email or social media.
In the past, I’ve had pretty negative feelings toward social media, but recently I’ve found it to be such a support. I only follow positive posters (like personal development figures), and pets/puppy accounts!
39. Play!
Hide-and-seek, build a blanket fort, use your imagination!
40. Have a tea party.
41. Meal prep for the next week.
42. Try a new recipe!
43. Clean your cupboards/freezer/fridge and donate non-perishable food you won’t use.
Shelters are in need of these things!
44. Try to make some meals without going to the store, with the stuff you can find in your cupboards/fridge/freezer.
45. Learn a new skill.
46. Take a course.
I love to learn, and I’ve taken a LOT of courses online. I’m currently working through Money Mindset for Her (a course offered by my life coach, Natalie Bacon). She has several other courses too that are on my wish list: Personal Development for Her and Online Business for Her. A few other courses I’ve taken that have given me great results are:
- Launch Your Blog Biz
- Pinterest Traffic Avalanche
- Earn More Writing
- Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing.
47. Write a blog post, a short story, a poem, or a book.
48. Create a business plan for your business.
49. Apply for remote work online.
50. Update your resume.
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51. Update your LinkedIn or other social media profiles.
52. Find some gigs online for extra income.
53. Get certified in something online.
54. Create a budget.
For more reading on finances check out these blog posts:
- The Best Personal Development Books for Money Management Beginners
- 5 Simple Tips to Feel Less Stressed About Your Money
- 7 Strategies I Used to Pay Off Over $100,000 in Debt
- My Student Loan Debt Story
55. Start a savings account.
56. Purge and organize paperwork.
57. Back up pictures and digital files on your computer.
58. Clear your phone.
Delete any unnecessary messages, photos, apps, etc.
59. Clear your laptop/home computer.
60. Clean out your email inbox.
61. Organize your emails into folders so they’re easier to reference.
62. Clean out your text messages and voicemail inbox
63. Do your taxes.
64. Make spreadsheets of your income and expenses.
65. Create a spreadsheet and track what you spend money on.
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66. Get Crafty!
Scrapbook, draw, paint.
67. Create a list or Pinterest board of DIY projects you want to try.
68. Learn origami.
69. Color in a coloring book!
70. Upcycle and renovate furniture or other items around the house.
71. Design your dream home.
72. Look at homes online.
73. Binge-watch!
An uplifting series on Netflix or online…or on DVD.
74. Watch your favorite comfort movie.
I may or may not be watching The Greatest Showman while I write this post….
75. Meditate.
76. Play a board game.
77. Create your own board game!
78. Learn a card game.
79. Do a puzzle
80. Blast some tunes.
Bonus: Play your favorite playlist while you declutter your home!
81. Write a song.
82. Take photos.
83. Look through old photos.
84. Learn to edit photos.
85. Create pins on Pinterest!
(check out my tutorial article on how to do this here!)
86. Create a “wish list” of things you want to buy in the future.
87. Have an indoor picnic with your family.
88. Search for volunteer opportunities.
89. Take surveys online for extra cash or gift cards.
90. Plan your wedding…or another big event.
91. Pick out baby names… or pet names!
92. Ask your friends and family for book and music recommendations.
Try something new!
93. Share positive reviews of your favorite businesses.
94. Create a master contact list!
Write down names, addresses, phone numbers. Call or text people to check in an get their updated info!
95. Write out, address, and stamp birthday cards for the upcoming year.
97. Learn a choreographed dance.
98. Watch funny youtube videos.
99. Watch standup comedy.
100. Watch a funny movie.
101. Share jokes with your friends and family.
102. Ask your parents/grandparents about their youth and family history.
103. Ask your kids/nephews/nieces/cousins about their lives and their future goals.
104. Tell stories/memories with your family.
105. Do a random act of kindness and don’t tell anyone!
106. Learn world geography (and play trivia) on Sporcle.
107. Increasing your WPM (typing speed).
108. Learn some keyboard shortcuts.
109. Start a book club!
My friends and I have a virtual Audible book club, and we chat about the books we read via group message!
110. Find new apps to try out.
Thank you for reading!