Home Redefined: 60 Ways to Occupy Your Time During COVID

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” -unknown

This is one of my favorite quotes, which is very relevant to what we, all of humanity, are going through right now. Our lives have been altered and redirected, at least for the near foreseeable future. Being someone who has spent a lot of time at home out of “necessity” due to several unemployment periods and the need to save money or because I actually enjoy being at home, my friend who is used to being out and about every moment she can, asked me, “What do you do all day?” It was a good question, and it made me take inventory of my many days at home. Like most others, there were times I was productive and times I was spending hours, days, even years thinking about what I should do or want to be doing instead of just doing it. How many times do we say, “I don’t have time!” Well, now you have more time. I know many of you have kids at home and are having to work while guiding lesson plans and entertaining them. That said, most of you still have more time than you had before. So I began thinking about this question and trying to come up with ideas—some more priority than others—based on my own experience and research.

Important: NONE of these activities should have you making a special trip to go out to get anything. Only go out when absolutely necessary and stay away from people as much as possible. As Dr. Sanjay Gupta says, “Act as if everyone has the virus.” If you order anything online, be aware of the Coronavirus on packages. Please see Dr. Jeffrey VanWingen’s Tips to handle groceries and take out on how to protect yourself. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control for guidance. All ideas may not be able to be implemented.

1. Reach out to family, friends, coworkers, and clients. You can call, text, Whatsapp, email, IM, or send a Linkedin message. We all need someone who cares enough to check in on us.
2. Reassess your finances. This is a good idea whether your job has been impacted or not. Determine what expenses are necessary and what aren’t. If your job has been impacted, contact your credit card companies, mortgage companies, car companies, etc. to see what your options are. Trying to file for unenployment has overwhelmed systems. Download DoNotPay, which will help you file for unemployment for free!
3. Start a journal. This doesn’t have to be formal. Just jot down some of the things you did or write about special moments.
4. Work on procrastinated chores. This can include sorting through piles of stuff, dusting, laundry, cleaning your bathroom, and mopping floors or vacuuming carpets. This isn’t anything novel or creative, but I believe straightening and cleaning, even if it is little by little, is essential to creating a calm environment and enhancing productivity.
5. List some goals and give them a deadline. This isn’t anything novel, but I do this because putting it on paper makes it more likely you will actually do it, even if you have to push out the deadline. We think of ideas all of the time, and if your attention span is anything like mine, you will forget it quickly. Don’t be ashamed if you have to adjust the deadline. Again, putting goals in black in white increases the likelihood of actualizing them.
6. Work on a job plan. Times are really tough right now. If you are unemployed or working less hours, build your resume. Create a Plan B. Figure out how to translate your skills to other types of work or industries. Setup or update your Linkedin profile, and reach out to your network for help. It takes time to find new work. No work is beneath any of us right now, so please check your pride. Even if you are employed, you can always update your resume with your current skill sets and let people know what you do.
7. Sharpen skills or develop new ones. With changes in technology, comes the need to be updating and growing your skills. There are online education sites offering classes (some free) to see if you are really interested in pursuing a certain area.
8. Build your side hustle. You know that “thing” you always want to pursue, but you didn’t have time? Do the research, create a plan, and work on the education you need to be a subject matter expert. Develop a relationship with someone who is doing what you want to do, and use them as a mentor. You’ll need a website, so you can start building that. For a great wordpress tutorial that I completed, go to wp101.
9. Declutter and organize your closet and drawers. I’m sure it’s not as organized as it should be and probably has clothes you will never wear again or realistically fit into again. If you think they are coveted pieces, try to sell them on Ebay or Craigslist, or collect them in a bag to donate when it is safe to a charity of your choice. Ladies, if you have some suits you want to get rid of, consider Dress for Success.
10. Clean out your refrigerator and pantry. If you are anything like me, there are probably forgotten, spoiled, and expired foods in there. Here is your opportunity to clear them out and see what you actually have to consume.
11. Donate money to a local food pantry online.
12. Clean out a filing cabinet. Shred old and unnecessary documents.
13. Exercise at home. There are no excuses for not having equipment or weights! You can easily find a workout on YouTube. Search Zumba, full body workout, cardio, yoga, etc. and you will find something to get you moving. I have heard some gyms are providing online classes as well. Get your family involved. You can even just dance around your home. If you think you don’t have enough room, check out Marathon runner on balcony!
14. Cook and build your immunity. This is your opportunity to learn a new recipe. Here is a great Vegan recipe that is delicious even for you meat lovers like me. Hummus Chickpea Veggie Burgers. I’ve made it for my family, bun less, and they have repeated it several times. If cooking is not your thing, most meats and vegetables can be easily seasoned and cooked with olive oil, salt, garlic, and pepper. Be creative and use what’s in your pantry and refrigerator. Make a smoothie with fruits and vegetables.
15. Bake a simple and healthy dessert. Here is a recipe for 3 ingredient oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Feel free to use dark chocolate chips instead.
16. Do a “self-help” project. Read Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans or The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Both have been part of my “self-help” regimen. Yale University is offering the popular course Happiness free online.
17. Search for artists playing music in their homes. Here is Chris Martin of Coldplay performing solo. Dave Matthew will be doing a Pay It Forward Live on March 26, 2020 at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT. Andrea Bocelli will be performing solo at the Duomo at 1 p.m. EST. on YouTube.
18. Read. Likely there are books in your home that you been wanting to get to for years. Even if you read only a few pages a day, you’ve progressed. Read aloud to your kids. They don’t have to be young to enjoy a good story. If you need to order books, order them online or sign up for the Amazon Kindle.
19. If you are single, try getting to know someone on a dating app. Apps like Bumble offer video chat options.
20. Listen to a podcast or a TED talk. There are so many insightful ones like Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations or Deepak Chopra’s Infinite Reality. Google a topic and a TED talk of interest.
21. Meditate. Especially in times of uncertainty and distress, it’s healthy to take some time to relax and meditate. Your thoughts influence the chemistry in your body. Diffuse essential oils if you have them. Try this free Oprah and Deepak Chopra 21-Day Meditation. Day 1 just started on March 23, 2020 and the days meditation doesn’t go away, so start anytime!
22. Do a DIY art or home economic project. This can include painting a painting or drawing. If you don’t want to spend money on a canvas or paint, just use what’s around your house. A paper bag, a T-shirt, or even the top of a shoebox. Every time you open a box, you can be reminded of the art you or your family created! I’m sure you have a few highlighters hanging around your house. You can Google some really cool images and do highlighter art! Make sock puppets. Be creative and search around your house for decorations like cotton balls and Q-tips. Finish a craft. I’m sure you have some unfinished ones laying around. Or just reorganizing your furniture will freshen up your space. You can Google ideas and order additional supplies online.
23. Facetime, Whatsapp, or sign up free on zoom.us to do events with friends and family. You can do a joint workout together or even a bookclub through Zoom.
24. Watch Netflix. This time gives a whole new meaning to “Netflix and chill”! There are a lot of different genres of shows and Movies to choose from. You could agree to watch shows with your family and friends and then discuss later.
25. Take a course. I have completed a class on coursera. Universities and companies all over offer different types of courses for credit (paid) or for free.
26. Grow herbs, fruits, or vegetables. You can even grow some of these on a balcony or inside your home. You can use vegetables from the store to start. See Growing vegetables from vegetables.
27. Grow flowers. What a way to add to mother nature and see it’s beauty bloom before your eyes!
28. Play a board game, cards, or an online game. This is a great way to bond with your family and have some fun. Some fun ones are Balderdash and Telestrations. There are games for one person too. There is a reason why they call it Solitaire! (BTW, this can also be played with many players as well!) A fun online game is CodyCross.
29. Do a big puzzle. This can be fun alone or with your family.
30. Do a crossword puzzle. This can be challenging by yourself or as a family.
31. Learn how to crochet. Find a tutorial on YouTube.
32. Take a nap. How many of us wish we had more sleep?
33. Create online photo albums or hang photos of your family and friends. It will remind you of the good times!
34. Pull out the photo albums and go down memory lane. This will put a smile on your face.
35. Hang art/decor you’ve been collecting.
36. Polish silver. I actually did this recently, and there is something satisfying about bringing your pieces to a shine!
37. Listen to music and dance around. This can include songs you know or exploring new artists. I truly believe that music is therapy and can take you to another place!
38. Give yourself a facial. Here is a source for some recipes using items you may have in your house. https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/skin/articles/a38190/homemade-diy-face-mask-recipes/
39. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure.
40. Practice an instrument if you already have one. It’s probably been sitting and collecting dust. Again, I’m sure you thought to yourself, I wish I had more time to learn and play! Go on YouTube to find a lesson.
41. Work on coloring books. There are coloring books for adults and kids and can be therapeutic. Order these on Amazon.
42. Take a relaxing bath or shower. This is great to wash off the day, both literally and figuratively.
43. Take a virtual tour of a museum. See Museum tours.
44. Learn how to do origami. Use paper around the house. There are plenty of ideas on YouTube.
45. Catch a broadway show online. See Broadway shows.
46. Explore the world online for free. See National Geographic.
47. Observe and take pictures of the sky from your bedroom window, balcony, or backyard. This is one of my favorite pastimes! The sky is an amazing sight throughout the day!
48. Wash your windows. You will be surprised at how black your paper towel will be!
49. Do a different activity alone or as a family once a week. Michaels Facebook Live is doing a fun family activity every Wednesday at noon CT.
50. Watch classic movies you haven’t seen. I just saw Singin’ in the Rain recently! I can’t believe I, who loves dance, had never seen this flic! You can rent them through Amazon Prime.
51. Learn how to do different braids, hairstyles, and hair cuts. Again, you can find so many tutorials on YouTube.
52. Gift money to a family member or friend through PayPal or venmo to help them out with their finances.
53. Watch a comedian. Laughter can change your mood and improve your health! You can check out The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon or search a stand up comedian.
54. If you have a jumprope, play a game with your kids. See jumprope songs.
55. Play Darts.
56. Explore your roots on Ancestry.com.
57. Make Birthday and Holiday Cards! Most people run out of time to send these, so get an early start!
58. Support a small business and get your meal delivered.
59. Start researching pet adoptions and help protect animals in need. I wish I had a puppy right now. See American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
60. Be creative, and come up with your own idea!

What we are going through is an adjustment. I’m sure you are irritated at times with your family due to being in each other’s space or even upset with friends for whatever reason. We’re human. But I’d ask you to put your situation in perspective. I think about Anne Frank, who spent two years in hiding, only to be arrested and sent to the concentration camp, Aushwitz. Or how many of our ancestors fought and lived or died in World War II. If you are reading this, it means you have a smart device. You have a tool. If you are reading this, it’s likely that you are doing it from your home. You have shelter. Be grateful for what you have. I know many of you are fearful, not only of the virus, but the future. You may be wondering where your next paycheck is coming from. I’ve been there. If we “reopen” the economy sooner than what the data is showing and scientists advise, then we are potentially prolonging the war and creating a more grave impact on the economy. in the meantime, use your tools, shelter, and time to reset, invent and most importantly, reinvent yourself, so that you can reemerge stronger and better than ever.

Sometimes it takes the absolute unexpected to get us to realize what is really important and valuable in life. We are at war with an invisible and unpredictable enemy. We are all soldiers in this war, not by our own choice. We are inextricably connected. Technology keeps you connected and informed and educated and your shelter is your armor. They are your weapons. You can stay home and fight on the side of humanity or you can go out and fight on the side of the enemy. We are all vulnerable because of the virus itself or its repercussions. Have compassion for others. Be safe, be well, and stay home as much as possible to help us all win this war!

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