15 things to do during quarantine that don't involve a screen.
Take a breath. The past few days have been a bit *cough cough* crazy, to say the least.
If you're struggling, be patient with yourself. Switching to online school or work and social-distancing are major changes—and temporary. Allow yourself some space to get adjusted to your remote lifestyle for the next bit.
With many classes and jobs moving online, events being canceled, and social-distancing, it can be easy for us to:
A. Panic
B. Lose motivation
C. Feel crazy
D. All of the above.
Whenever I am sick or plan on hiding indoors for a day, I tend to resort to binge-watching Netflix and re(re)freshing Instagram.
But rewatching Friends can become a bit mind-numbing after a while.
As I said, this is all temporary. If we fall into these habits, we might experience difficulty adjusting back to normalcy.
Let's not let waking up at noon, scrolling through memes, and running out of shows to watch on Disney+ become normal.
In order to fight panic, loss of motivation, and craziness, we must set healthy boundaries with not just public spaces, but ourselves and technology.
Our main source of information (trustworthy AND untrustworthy) comes from our phones. We must set healthy boundaries with them so that we don't dwell in mass panic and consume unreliable information.
Let's try to find calm, motivation, and sanity in healthy social-distancing—whether that be in-person or online.
If you have a *bit* more time to spare like me, let's use it for those "if I had more time on my hands..." monologues and "one day, I will get around to..." dreams.
There's nothing wrong with having a popcorn movie night, catching up on social media, nor playing video games. We just need a little balance.
I've gathered some [mostly] screen-free, indoor ways to stay sane during quarantine or social-distancing for COVID-19.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #1
Learn something new
What's something you've always wanted to learn but never had the time to? Well, now's your chance. You could try out calligraphy, photography, blogging, singing, YouTubing, breakdancing, underwater basket weaving, idk???
You know that one thing you've always wanted to do. Do it (but wash your hands first because self-care).
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #2
Get artsy
You don't have to be artsy to get artsy. Watercoloring, oil painting, drawing, sculpting—you name it. Grab a pen and start doodling. Creativity is a ~magical~ form of therapy.
If you're into crafts, I'm sure you also could Google search some craft involving toilet paper (or share it with the rest of us lol).
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #3
Game night
Idk about you, but I love a solid game of Apples to Apples. Play a controversial round of Monopoly, or order a new card or board game online to try out (I highly recommend Exploding Kittens and Monikers).
Puzzles are also underrated.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #4
Write all of this down, will ya?
We are living an interesting chapter in a 2040 history textbook right now. Journaling can be a helpful way to practice self-care and sort out anxious or scary thoughts.
Writing down your story of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic will be something interesting for you to look back on once it's all over.
Again, this is a reminder that this will all end eventually.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #5
Wait a second... go outside
It's entirely mythically that we're never supposed to leave our homes for the next while (unless you're actually in quarantine).
If you're simply opting to stay indoors to prevent getting COVID-19 and stay healthy, it's SO important that you still go outside at least once each day. Pull out a chair, sit in your backyard, play catch, or go for a run or walk for self-care.
Get some sunshine and fresh air for your physical and mental health.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #6
Read a book
It's been a while since I've simply read a book for pleasure.
Find a book that sparks your interest, and see what reading is like outside of Sparknotes, again.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #7
Put on an apron
With all of this food stocked up in your kitchen from your $1000 Costco trip, right now is a great time to try out some new recipes.
Odds are, you have plenty of flour and water to spare, so baking some chocolate chip cookies can be a fun way to use your time and invite happy vibes indoors.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #8
Self-care, of course
I will ALWAYS recommend self-care as a pastime when I get the chance.
Whether you're experiencing some stress and uncertainty or not, drawing up a bubble bath, brewing hot tea, deep conditioning your hair, and doing face masks are wonderful ways to stay indoors, unwind, and practice self-love.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #9
Catch up on that one thing
I don't need to tell you what that one thing is you've been procrastinating. You know.
Use this time to catch up on anything you've been putting off.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #10
Add a little feng shui
Move your bed, rearrange pillows, and add some light. Since you'll be spending a bit more time indoors than usual, now is a perfect time to reorganize, redecorate, or do a fun DIY project for your home. And yes, that includes your [my] closet.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #11
Go glamping
Don't let social-distancing keep you from enjoying the great outdoors...in your backyard or living room.
Grab a tent, some sleeping bags, and microwave or roast marshmallows to bring camping vibes indoors. You could even ask Alexa to play outdoor noises if you're feeling extra.
I used to do stuff like this when I was little. Revisiting fond childhood pastimes like this can be a healthy and fun way to spend your time and practice self-care indoors.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #12
Stay active
Pinterest and YouTube are lovely sources for exercise, yoga, and other self-care routines and tips. Let's try to resist our couch-potato urges, and move our bodies each day.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #13
Take a class
Okay, this one isn't very screen-free, but it's still good.
If you're looking for more learning opportunities, there's a whole realm of education available to us inside our laptops and phones.
Colleges, websites, and even Groupon offer diverse, cheap, or free online courses.
You could get a certificate in coding, interior design, digital marketing, floral design, French, or whatever you please! Learning is self-care. Self-care is learning.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #14
Get all dolled up
I can see us getting into the habit of wearing pajamas all day and not doing our hair. While this may seem nice for a while, it can wear on our motivation and confidence.
You don't need to get ready and put on makeup for other people. Do it for yourself.
Highlight your already-natural beauty. Put on your favorite outfit, and show up for you.
Remember self-love and self-care through it all.
Coronavirus - Screen-free quarantine activity #15
Look ahead
As I've said, this craziness is all temporary. Before we know it, we'll move from the indoors to the outdoors, go to concerts, and be in class or work again. Planning some fun activities for that time can help us realize everything will become normal again and feel motivated and excited about it.
Let's focus on what we can control, set healthy boundaries, and send good vibes. Breathe in for 5 seconds, wash your hands, and take vitamins. Namaste.
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