I know I am not the only one who is completely shocked at how SUDDEN the world has changed! In a blink of an eye, everyone’s lives- all around the WORLD- were changed due to the recent outbreak of Coronavirus, a global pandemic.
Schools are shut down, stores are closed, workers are working from home… we are all seemingly STUCK inside our homes!!
I recognize the burden the quarantine can have on not only your life but also the lives of those in your family! But this time of social distancing and isolation is of extreme importance as it reduces the spread of the viral infection that can be deadly to those around you.
Although social distancing entails entrepreneurs being apart, we can take advantage of this time to strengthen our virtual connection and pursue alternative methods that can allow us to improve and better our businesses online and from the comfort of our homes!
Bored while at home? I got you!!
I have put together a list of 16 simple, fun activities that you can do at home either by yourself, with your kid(s), and/or with other family members.
Before we dive in, I wanted to remind you to make sure to check out the short videos down below for this same list, tips on how event industry professionals can get ahead of your wedding business while quarantined, and tips for brides-to-be to get ahead of their wedding planning!
1. Clean & Organize
Haven’t you heard? It’s SPRING CLEANING season!! Life can get so BUSY sometimes, which gets in the way of us being mindful of the state in which our house is in. Go bring out the vacuum, the mop, and gather your family together to clean up and organize your house.
Here are some around-the-house projects many people avoid looking after year-round that you can take care of right now (and get your kids involved):
- Kitchen pantries
- Garage
- Game room/Kids’ playroom
- Closet
- Bathroom closets
Trust me, you’ll feel much better staying inside when your place is looking nice, clean, and organized!
Take before and after pictures so both you and the kids get excited over it!
2. Meal Prep
Meal prep right now so that when you go back to work/school, your life will be so much easier!
Fortunately, the majority of my work allowed me to work from home before this happened, so things haven’t changed much for me except weddings, events and photoshoots getting postponed.
I am hoping to get a few slow days in the next coming weeks to be able to meal prep; however, what I usually do is ingredient prep because I prepare the ingredients to put together a meal fast and easily!
Next time I do meal/ingredient prepping, I will do a video on @foodnfiddle for you to see how it will make your life super easy and comfortable!
3. Gardening
Gardening is such an enriching activity because it has you dedicate yourself to the wellbeing of nature and your back/front yard! Not only is it a fun thing to do for us adults, but it is also super fun for the kiddos! Plant some flowers, remove the weeds in your garden, plant the seeds from vegetables/fruits you eat, create your own little herb garden… the list goes on and on!
4. Read
Life can get pretty busy and, if you are anything like me, find it hard to dedicate some time to read a good book or two. What better way to pass the time while quarantined by losing yourself within a good book that you have been dying to read for ages? Reading is a nice escape from reality and I think we all deserve a little escape from the reality that we are currently living. Get yourself a snack, maybe a drink, a nice blanket, and choose a comfortable place in your home to read yourself a good book.
If your life is just on the go like mine, you know audio books and services (like Audible) become your best friends. I love Audible as it allows me to listen to the books that I love to read-for which I do not have time to sit down and read them- while cooking, cleaning, doing my hair, editing photos/videos, and so on….
“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are” – Mason Cooley.
Currently, I am listening to The Magic of Thinking Big by Dr. David Schwartz on Audible!
Any books you recommend me checking out? Comment down below!!
5. Cook/Bake
Those who know me know the intense passion and love I have for cooking and baking!! There are MILLIONS, if not BILLIONS, of delicious recipes on the internet that anyone can do in their kitchen regardless of their cooking/baking ability. The best thing about cooking and baking is that you could do it with anyone in your household (if they want to, of course). It’s a fun and educational activity for the little ones, as well as for adults as you get to experiment with what you can do in your kitchen!!
Please try to prepare something with ingredients that are already in your kitchen to avoid going to the grocery store and purchasing foods that may be crucial to others!
You can always reach out to me via Instagram @dreamphotovideo or @foodnfiddle to let me know what ingredients you already have at home so that I create and send you a customized recipe 😉
6. Meditate
In the midst of all this chaos, I cannot recommend meditation enough! Meditation allows you to take a breather, focusing on your thoughts and self throughout your meditative practice.
Even if it is just for a few minutes, meditating will help you feel more at ease and help you release all the anxiety and stress you may be feeling during these hard times.
“Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already” – Pema Chodron.
7. Video Call Your Friends & Family
This social distancing is the greatest time for a virtual connection. Honestly, never in my life have I been so grateful for technology as I have been the past week. Given the circumstances, technology allows us to stay connected from a distance. Take advantage of that! Schedule Skype calls, FaceTime sessions or any other form of video/phone calls to stay in touch with those you love the most!
Sam and I celebrated our Persian New Year last Thursday night, and it is a celebration that lasts 13 days. In our culture, during the 13 days, it is a tradition to visit and get together with our family to celebrate this joyous time. Nevertheless, given the circumstances, we had to cancel our trip to visit our family in Toronto and, instead, celebrate the New Year with them virtually!
8. Catch Up On Work
Just because you’re home doesn’t mean work isn’t calling your name!! There are so many software and online methods that offer alternatives that are extremely beneficial for your work, especially during these times! Learn how to go about online resources for your work and then get ahead of the game while you’re at home. You can get ahead of your taxes, finances, or any other essential task to keep your business going and growing! Also, take some time to reach out to your clients, employees, or work colleagues to check how they’re doing. You could even schedule a video call/Zoom session to have work meetings if need be.
9. Go For A Walk/Run
Tired of staying indoors? Go out for a walk or a run and enjoy the fresh outdoors. Not only is it a great way to maintain your body active, but it also allows you to soak up of some of that good sun and get that Vitamin D (it’s worth mentioning that this vitamin plays a major role in strengthening our immune system which protects us from diseases). Make sure to walk/run trails where it is not too crowded to avoid interacting with too many people! Also, when outdoors, please be mindful of other people who are out and about as well. When passing them, make sure to be at least 6 feet away from them to respect the social distance protocols set in place for your and other people’s safety.
This should be in our everyday daily routines rather than just these times 😀
10. Yoga
I’m pretty sure we are all aware of what yoga is and the benefits that result from practicing it. Yoga is an exercise and art that allows you to explore your body, strengthen your muscles, and get in touch with your inner self. There are tons of free yoga classes on YouTube that are specialized for people of a certain age, level of ability, and/or other issues (whether physical or emotional). It’s a great form of exercise and can be done inside your home or out in the backyard. Just grab yourself a mat, put on a YouTube video, and dedicate some time to yourself and your body.
My family doctor had recommended Travis Elliot Yin yoga for my chronic back pain, and I absolutely love it.
“Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility, and joy” – B.K.S Iyengar.
11. Pray
I know this may not apply to everyone, as one’s personal religious beliefs are just that- personal. But, if you are religious, take a few minutes just to close your eyes and pray. Pray for the world, pray for those affected by Coronavirus, pray for the injured, pray for the sick, pray for those who lost loved ones, pray for everyone.
If you are not religious, put your thoughts out there- speak them out into the universe. Don’t keep things bottled up; express your inner thoughts and feelings (even if it is not heard by anyone).
12. Dance
If you’re by yourself, with your significant other, or with your whole entire family, organize a dance party at your home for yourselves. You could even search for videos of free dance classes if you want to follow along and learn some new moves. Go put on some music and dance your little hearts out!!
13. Take A Bath
At-home spa day? I think YES!! Treat yourself to a nice, warm bath with your favorite bath bomb. If you want the ULTIMATE spa treatment, put on a face mask and relax with a magazine/book once in the bath.
Note: you could make your own DIY face masks/scrubs at home with a few simple ingredients- so if you don’t have one, search up how to make one using the ingredients you already have at home!
14. Play Board Games
Everyone has at least ONE board game in their homes, so if you are quarantined with at least another person in your home, go bring out that board game! We all know how fun board games are for kids, but they are also EQUALLY fun for adults! It’s a great way to pass the time and take a nice break from technology.
15. Paint/Draw
Did you know there are so many drawing and painting tutorials on YouTube? Even if you are not the BEST drawer or painter, you and your family can follow along with a how-to video on the internet that gives you a step-by-step tutorial on creating a beautiful MASTERPIECE! It’s yet another great way to pass the time, and it truly is a therapeutic activity because your only focus is on the painting itself.
16. Watch Your Favorite Shows/Movies
Since it’s better to stay inside and practice social distancing during this time, it is the BEST time to binge-watch those shows and movies that you have been DYING to see. Did you know that movies that were going to be released in movie theaters are now going to be releasing them on cable TV? Obviously, you are going to have to pay to watch them, but it is still going to be cheaper and SAFER than going out to the movies! Maybe consider investing in a streaming service (like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.) that offers HUNDREDS of binge-worthy content. Streaming services typically offer trials, so if you want to purchase one, try around with different services and see which one you like best.
Have you heard? Netflix just released a “Netflix Party” option so that you and your friends/family can watch a show/movie together despite not being together (you can also talk with them in the chat box). Talk about staying connected while apart!
But, the most important activities to do during this time are…
STAYING INSIDE, HEALTHY, HOPEFUL, AND SAFE!
Remember: we are ALL in this TOGETHER!
For The Video Version Of This List, Check out:
Are you a bride-to-be, and you don’t know how to go about your wedding planning during quarantine? Check out our video, which gives you tips on how to get ahead of the wedding planning process from home:
Are you a wedding vendor and don’t know how to stay on top of your wedding business? Check out our video, which gives you a list of things you can do to improve your business from home:
Make sure to share your thoughts on our videos and blog over on our Instagram (@dreamphotovideo) and Facebook page! I would love to know what you guys are up to while staying inside.
