With the awareness that we will be self-isolating for quite a bit longer, I compiled a list of activities that I enjoy doing inside.
While some of them can be done outside, these are easy things to do to help us grow during this "new normal."
1 - Reading
I LOVE TO READ!
I have read thousands of books on my iPad and have anywhere from 5-15 ebooks "open" and in some stage of reading.
Non-fiction, fiction, research-based, historical...
You name it, I've probably got something that can be found in that genre.
I also LOVE listening to books and podcasts on Audible.
When I'm cleaning or crafting, I usually have something going through my earpods to make the time go by.
What's great about having a Kindle app is that I can download books at a moment's notice and have access to millions of tomes at a time; many I read for free through Kindle Unlimited.
I've also joined the Masterclass program and have been thoroughly enjoying those "lessons" as well!
2 - Games
Now is the time to play those games you've had in a cabinet.
Swipe off the dust and take the opportunity to play a game with someone.
We found a game called DOTS and it's fun and fast and keeps our brains in check.
If you're alone, you can play games on your tech devices, even playing with others in the internet world.
Pull out the playing cards have play and old fashioned game of Solitaire.
3 - Self Care
I love a relaxing bath, a great face mask, and good deep hair conditioning, and some instrumental music.
Taking the time to "get away from it all," even in your own bathtub, is one of the great things to do at home.
You don't even need lots of "fancy" stuff.
Epsom salts, baking soda, and essential oils make for a great bathtub soak.
Egg whites for the face help to tighten and detox the skin.
Slather on your favorite conditioner, wrap some saran wrap around your head, throw on a towel over that and let your body heat work with your conditioner to make your hair soft.
Light a candle and play some of your favorite tunes.
It's a LOT LESS cheaper than going to a spa any day!
4 - Cook a New Recipe
One of my goals this year has been to try new recipes and really push myself to learn new cooking skills and techniques.
In fact, I will have an upcoming post about how that has all been going and how I am building a repertoire of new recipes. (Bread recipe will post this coming Saturday)
Cooking can be fun, but for many, it may feel overwhelming.
I recommend watching YouTube channels that specialize in easy and healthy cooking.
A simple search can help you with specific recipes or general skills.
I've realized that this pandemic has really forced us to think about how we eat at home and how we truly do need cooking skills to "survive."
As eating out is not an option and may not be an option for quite some time, eating processed foods as a regular diet is not going to be good for us in the long run.
Simple cooking skills with fresh ingredients can help you lose weight (I've lost over 12 pounds in the last 5 weeks from NOT eating out and trying new recipes), same TONS of money spent eating out, and have improved my cooking skills overall.
5 - Crafting of Hobby Skills
I am a card crafter generally, but I also sew, paint, and build.
Having a craft or even a hobby is one of the lifelong skills you can perform.
Our daughter ordered a watercolor kit from Amazon as she too is sheltering in in California.
She took art lessons as a child and showed quite a talent for it.
I'm glad she's taking it back up during this time and exploring more ways to hone and use her talents.
If you feel like you are all thumbs with crafting, try puzzles instead.
There are tons to be ordered on the internet or check with a friend to see if you can borrow one that they've already put together.
6 - Meditation
I know that the word meditation may conjure up half-naked yogis in pretzel twisted positions chanting "OM" while facing the setting sun.
Nope!
That's not it at all.
Meditation is a quiet time to focus on deep even breathing while remaining still and relaxed.
I could do a whole post on the MANY BENEFITS of meditation, but Pinterest it and check it out for yourself.
Meditation can be different for everyone.
Take some time to sit in a comfortable chair, upright, with your eyes closed.
Take slow deep breaths in and out, regulating both with a consistent gentle rhythm.
Keep your focus on your breath.
If other thoughts pop up, push them aside and move back to your breathing.
It seems "hard" at first as other thoughts and sounds try to worm their way into your meditation but don't give up.
Try to meditate for 10 minutes until you feel like you can do it successfully.
Then add 5 minutes until you work your way up to 20-30 minutes a day.
The mental, emotional, and physical health benefits derived from 30 minutes of meditation a day are worth more than all the gold in the world.
7 - Research
I love to look up and search for things that interest me.
In fact, I'm a reader who will stop mid-sentence to look up something mentioned in what I just read.
I've literally "taught" myself about so many things by just using the power of the internet to expand my mind on something that I read or saw.
Hubby calls me "Siri Mikki" when I can talk about some obscure thing that I researched.
Researching also allows you to find other interests that you're not even aware you may have had.
Lately, I've been especially interested in fine art restoration techniques.
I'm fascinated with the restoration of hundred-year-old master paintings and turn of the century jewelry making techniques.
Of course, you can YouTube these as well as read about them.
I am planning on growing citrus trees when we move to southern Utah, so I've been recently researching species and techniques to do just that.
Perhaps this quote says it best:
My hope for my readers is that you find a new "you" in all of this confusion.
You find a way to connect to yourself and through yourself to others.
Break the old rules and invent new ones that make this world a better place!
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