Think back to your pre-shutdown life. How many times in any given week did you find yourself saying you don't have time for X, Y or Z? The good new is, even if you are working from home, now you do! Could we view this period of self-isolation as a blessing rather than a curse?
OK, hear me out here. No-one is ever going to say Coronavirus was a great thing to happen, but what if it gives us all the breathing space we need? Time to reflect, to re-evaluate, and to choose different ways of spending our time and energy.
Even if you are working from home, or your children are at home with you, you will still find that you have more free time than you ever normally do in 'real' life. So, how about spending some of that time doing something useful, interesting, or even fun?!
Don't worry, we will be back to school runs, commuting to work, commitments to friends, family and society soon enough. If Wuhan is anything to go by, a couple of months at the most.
Time is our most precious asset, and one we can never get back. Let's accept this enforced slowdown, and in fact embrace it as an opportunity to do all those things we never have time for. An opportunity to consciously choose every single day how we spend our time.
Of course, if you are unwell or need to work extra hours as a self-employed person, this is not a fun time for you! This list is for all the people at home with nothing to do or working from home and saving time on commutes, water cooler breaks and interruptions.
Here are 90+ things you could do with your excess of time:
1. Start a gratitude journal
2. Read more - who hasn't got a pile of books to read
3. Start a new business or side hustle
4. Deliver supplies to the door step of an elderly neighbour or relative
5. Clear out and clean out your kitchen cupboards
6. Find ways to make your life more environmentally conscious
7. Dust off your old musical instrument and practice every day
8. Cook an amazing meal for your partner or just yourself
9. Seek out positive news, even on Coronavirus like this list
10. Build LEGO
11. Perfect a recipe like your go to chilli or lemon drizzle cake
12. Upcycle something
13. Kick a bad habit - it only takes 30 days to change
14. Play board games
15. Go for a walk every day
16. Batch cook and freeze some meals
17. Read those classic novels you've always meant to
18. Start a journal
19. Learn art history by watching videos of great art works from the major museums of the world
20. Give your dog a bath
21. Dig out a kitchen appliance and make some delicious dishes
22. Plan your next holiday or travel adventure - just don't book anything yet!
23. Plan out your goals for the coming year, or make a 5 year plan
24. Declutter and re-organise your wardrobe or closets
25. Listen to some TED Talks
26. Read books to grow your business or boost your skills
27. Eat better to boost your immune system
28. Phone an old friend
29. Get better at photography
30. Sort out all the apps on your phone and delete the ones you don't need
31. Sew, knit or crochet - or learn how
32. Start meditating
33. Re-arrange your furniture
34. Have a virtual dinner party with friends or family via Skype or Facetime
35. Resolve to get your 5 a day every day - and do it
36. Take an online course to advance your personal or business skills
37. Write a poem
38. Make some home-made gifts for birthdays and even Christmas!
39. Sort out your garden ready for summer
40. Organise your music play lists or create new ones
41. Take up visualisation
42. Join or set up a virtual book club
43. Plan a fun party or BBQ for when all this is over
44. Make an Amazon wish list, or clean your old one up!
45. Follow an exercise DVD or online class
46. Make candles
47. Plant a garden that will attract summer pollinators
48. Practice mindfulness every day
49. Make your own cleaning products
50. Take a long bath
51. Watch all those classic movies
52. Yoga
53. Write letters to friends and family
54. Make your own soap
55. Earn some money online from home
56. Bake cookies, cakes, bread - or all 3!
57. Have a proper afternoon tea
58. Fix something that is broken
59. Sort out your digital photos
60. Print and frame some of your favourite photos
61. Sort out your finances and make switches to save money
62. Deep clean your kitchen
63. Learn how to use your sewing machine properly
64. Take out a free two month Kindle Unlimited trial and make the most of it!
65. Sketch the view out of your window
66. Clean and oil your garden tools
67. Read the Bible, Quoran or another religious text
68. Paint a room
70. Find out about the history of your local area, your street, or your house
71. Treat yourself to nice chocolates, bath salts or flowers by ordering online
72. Give yourself a spa day at home
73. Press flowers
74. Try new foods
75. Make your own body butter
76. Research your family tree
77. Clear out your garage
78. Enter online compeitions
79. Re-arrange your book shelves
80. Make your own cards
81. Run or walk a 5K - take the Couch to 5K Challenge!
82. Write a short story or finally start your novel!
83. Learn how to change a tyre
84. Upload your CV to look for jobs when all this dies down
85. Create a picture wall with images you already have
86. Do a mammoth jigsaw puzzle
87. Take up skipping for exercise
88. Join Pinterest and create some boards
89. Write down your personal or family history for your kids or grandkids
90. Do all that DIY you've been putting off
91. Set up bird feeders in your garden and see who comes to visit
92. Binge watch a series on Netflix or Amazon Video
93. Do Sudoku or logic or crossword puzzles in a book or online
94. Learn a new language online
95. Learn embroidery
96. Declutter!
97. Paint with oils or watercolours
Ideas and tips for those with kids at home:
150 Fun Kids Activities to Do at Home
Why You Do Not Need to Teach Your Kids
How to Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike
How to Make Fun Sensory Bins
How to Teach Children to Garden
Pin it:
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission for referring you. This in no way affects the price you pay. I only suggest resources and items I believe in and highly recommend. You can read my full disclosure statement on our Work with Me page.
