12 Fun Things To Do In Self Isolation

Have you just been advised to self isolate? Are you under quarantine? Have you recently had a job loss due to the virus outbreak? For whatever reason you’re now stuck at home, don’t allow yourself to feel stuck! If you have no clue of what to do with your sudden influx of free time. Here are some awesome ideas we think are a great way to utilise your time and be productive in getting things done around the home.

1. Start a challenge on social media

Whether you’re using Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp you can start a group challenge with your friends. Think up a fun and safe challenge, invite your friends to participate, vote and select a winner. Should you wish to continue the flow, get the winner to choose a new challenge to keep the momentum and fun going.

2. Read a book

Now might be a good time to check your book shelf for those books you’ve left to collect dust due to not having time to read. Otherwise go to a bookstore and purchase some new books to read, or jump online and search up some free e-books.

3. Learn a new skill

While at home think of something you’ve always wanted to do. For example learning a new instrument, learning a new language. There’s plenty free courses on YouTube where you can learn to play piano for example or practice learning French.

4. Spring clean the house

It’s probably a good time to spring clean your home. Wiping down ceiling fans, clearing spider webs in the corners of the house, wiping down windows and mirrors, polishing wooden floors, varnishing decks, washing carpets or rugs, washing doonas and pillows. You could also go through your cupboards and declutter. Start a pile of things around the house you no longer need like, pots, pans, cutlery, clothes, shoes and so on. Donate them to your nearest charity or if you’re strapped for cash have a mini garage sale or list items on gumtree or eBay. Go through your pantry and throw out old or expired foods.

5. Garden maintenance

Trim the hedges, cut the grass, pull out weeds, cut hanging tree branches. Get your garden looking nicely manicured. This is also a good form of exercise and getting some fresh air.

6. Learn new recipes

Not able to cook? Want to try new recipes? Now is your time to sit down and go through your recipe books and try out meals you haven’t tried before. Or google recipes, watch cooking shows or check out youtube cooking. It’s a great way to up your culinary skills. Plus you can show off your new cooking skills to your friends or family.

7. Turn off your phone and have me time or family time

Why not turn off your phone for an hour or more if you can handle it. Relax, wind down and destress. Listen to slow music or watch something inspirational. Have a family? Spend the time with your spouse and children, play games that require use of imagination without any gadgets like tv, iPads, or video game consoles. Play board games or go into the backyard and play games like ‘catch’.

8. Redesign your house

Ever felt like changing your room around? Redo your bedroom by putting your bed and furniture in a different part of the room. Change your lounge suite and tv to face another part of the room. This will give you a refreshing and different feel, almost as if you’re in a new home. It will also allow you to get to all the dust under the bed you weren’t previously able to reach.

9. Grow fruit and vegetables

Have green fingers? Or not? Now is a great time to make a little green house and garden bed, buy some seeds and start planting. Check out sites like YouTube which give you instructions on how to make your own garden bed and prune it.

10. Exercise

If you’ve felt like getting fit and healthy but haven’t had time or want to keep up with your exercise routine this is a great way to burn the extra calories attained from boredom eating or snacking all day.

11. Have video conference discussions

Call up a group of family or friends to join you on a video call where you can have a chat or pick topics to discuss and share.

12. Study a short course

This is an excellent time to take on a short course or upskill yourself while at home. Check out things like free online courses or courses on sale, so that when you return to work you have more qualifications up your sleeve for that promotion or pay rise. Otherwise add them to your resume when looking for another job.

There are many more other things you can do in your free time. This list is just short and simple to kickstart some ideas of what you can do when you have nothing to do or don’t know what to do with all the sudden free time that has been added to your days in lockdown. Make the most of the time in isolation and don’t be like me who felt discouraged feeling like a fish living in a bowl. Give yourself a break from the media sometimes as it can get depressing. There is so much you can achieve during this time so enjoy yourself because who knows when you might need to self isolate again and have this free time.