During this time of self-isolation, you may find yourself with more free time at home. While this situation can be overwhelming and you may find it difficult to be productive at home, these seven fun and accessible things to do are perfect for filling some free time, and are great options for spending a few minutes before work or winding down after work.
1. Virtual coffee date
Self-isolation doesn't have to be lonely. With all this technology available, it's the perfect time to set up a virtual coffee date with a friend or family member. You can meet up with your friends for coffee virtually through a variety of online options, from FaceTime and Skype, to Zoom, Hangouts, and even Facebook.
These services are quick and easy to use, with most of them offering video chat for free as part of their website. These video chat services make it a little easier to connect with people and feels a bit more personal than texts or phone calls. A virtual coffee date is a great way to see people, catch up, and talk about things beyond world events.
2. Learn a new game
Spending more time at home gives you a chance to finally sit down and learn that new game you've always been curious about. Days and weeks tend to get away from us when we're busy and caught up in our schedule, but having this time during self-isolation is ideal for learning a new game.
There are plenty of games you can play with a simple deck of playing cards, but this is also the perfect opportunity to learn that new game you've always been interested in, but have been putting off. Video games count here too, as this is a great time to spend getting into a virtual world. It's best if you already have the supplies at home to play, as you can simply set it up, learn the rules, and dive in.
3. Coloring and zentangle drawing
You may find yourself craving some quiet time, a way to get away from the talking screens and work or school meetings. A great quiet activity that can help you unwind is coloring and zentangle drawing. Coloring books have evolved beyond the children's practice and can be very complex. Adult coloring books give you hours of creative time with the detailed scenes and pictures. Popular coloring supplies include a book to work in and either markers, pens, or colored pencils.
Alternatively, zentangle drawing is the simple art of using a pen to draw basic lines in a repetitive pattern to create unique doodles. It's very easy to learn and can lead to hours of creative fun. The supplies for this practice are a pen or pencil and a blank sheet of paper. You can also use graph paper or dot grid paper for more structure.
4. Embrace your hobbies
If you're someone that is active in a hobby, now is the time to level up in your skills. From crafting to music, writing, or art, whatever your hobby is, try to look at your supplies and projects with a fresh set of eyes. This can be a great outlet for channeling your feelings, while also making progress, learning new techniques, and documenting your experience.
There are many resources to help you expand your knowledge or choose a new project within your hobby. YouTube is a great place for visual tutorials and SkillShare offers a range of classes. There are hobby-specific sites like Ravelry for kitting and crochet, and Facebook groups for connecting with others.
5. Explore your local library's digital resources
While you can't visit the library, many offer digital resources both on their website and through apps like Overdrive and Libby. This is a great way to listen to an audiobook or pick up a new release or magazine. The best place to start is with your local library's website. This will explain which resources your library participates in and can even help you set up with a digital library card.
A digital library card is a library card or account that allows you to borrow digital materials with apps and websites. Many libraries are offering digital cards during this time of self-isolation to help community members use their resources. The most popular app, Libby, provides a completely searchable database of your library's digital materials, where you can create lists, borrow titles, and even place items on hold.
6. Try a podcast
Podcasting is a lot like hosting a radio show and there's one for every topic you can imagine. This is a great way to connect with others, but also to follow a TV show, band, get book recommendations, or learn to cook; the topics are endless. Podcasts are great to listen to while relaxing, but many people will listen while cooking, cleaning, or working on simple work tasks.
Choosing a new podcast to tune into will give you a break from the telvision, which can be distracting with commercials, news updates, and noise. A podcast is a nice change and gives you some background noise while getting creative. Many smartphones and tablets have a podcast app, but you can also listen to podcasts online at Stitcher and Spotify.
7. Puzzles and books
Self-isolation can be the perfect time to slow down and lose track of time while working on a puzzle or reading a book. These slower activities can be great for distracting the mind and giving you a new task to focus on. Puzzles can bring the family together, or give you another place to feel productive while also caring for yourself.
Both working on a puzzle or reading a book is a great outlet when you have a few minutes of downtime during the work or school day. This can give you a short break while waiting for lunch to finish, between meetings or classes, or just as a good break to step away from your daily schedule.
Finding time to wind down and transition from work mode to home mode can be tricky these days, as everything is happening in the same place. These activities are great for giving you something different to look forward to and are the perfect way to transition in your day or spend some personal care time. Whether you choose to get involved in a new podcast, a good book, or getting creative, these accessible ideas for things to do will help break up your self-isolation time.
About the Author
After being diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of two, Cory Lee's thirst for adventure never ceased. He went on many trips around the U.S. when he was younger, and then started taking things internationally when he turned 15. Since then, Cory has traveled to 21 countries across six continents, all while managing to start up his travel blog Curb Free with Cory Lee, where he shares his accessible, and sometimes not-so-accessible travel adventures with others. Cory is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA). He has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, in a nationwide segment for CBS News, Lonely Planet, and many others. His blog won the 2017 Best Travel Blog Gold Lowell Thomas Award. He hopes to inspire other wheelchair users to roll out of their comfort zone and see all of the beauty that the world has to offer.
Cory Lee's ride is a Quickie QM-710.
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