By Gillian Murphy, G11
Tired of watching the paint dry? Drained from a week of e-learning? On the verge of going stir-crazy?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Boredom is the current international crisis, what with most countries quarantining and shutting down schools and workplaces. Rather than looking at this solitary time as a limitation on your freedom, though, look at it as an opportunity to get creative, enjoy time alone, and do all the things you’ve been putting off around the house.
Here’s my Keeping Busy During Corona Inspiration List:
1. Get crafty!
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to try your hand at a Bob Ross tutorial, or attempt sketching. Now is the perfect opportunity — it’s a great way to take a break from school but still keep your brain stimulated.
2. Redecorate your room!
You might be spending a lot of time staring at the four walls that surround you, so you might as well make them look nice and create a happy, calming environment for yourself. Perhaps it will inspire you to pursue an interior decoration career. Who knows! I would recommend plants, fairy lights, and pictures of your favorite memories.
3. Learn to play an instrument!
If you’ve always dreamt of being a campfire guitar star or a jazz pianist, this is the time to refine your talents. Youtube is filled with tutorials and lessons, and if you get any good, you can entertain your family while you’re at it.
4. Get fit!
You truly have no excuse anymore. 5 minute ab workouts, yoga videos, stretching diagrams, and many more exercise-focused online materials are plentiful and easily accessible. With all the time you are probably spending sitting in one place while listening to Google Hangouts lectures or typing up essays, your body needs a break! Get up, and get active.
Alternatively: Just Dance – transport yourself back to the third grade while getting the blood flowing.
5. Cook some good meals!
Though you may be missing Epicure’s tasty lunches, that doesn’t mean you can’t attempt to recreate them yourself or at least discover some new cuisines to stir up. Swap recipes with other socially-distanced friends, and maybe even dine together over FaceTime!
6. Step up your Spotify game!
My favorite procrastination activity is cultivating great playlists and searching for the picture that perfectly captures the essence or the vibe, if you will, of the music. You can make playlists to go along with the other activities you’re trying out too, like calming songs to study to or workout songs that you get you pumped.
7. Spend time with your family!
Be careful, not too much at once, lest you get sick of them too quickly, but now is a wonderful time to be with your loved ones. Maybe be with them two meters apart, but still, make sure to appreciate this time you have together. Game night, anyone?
Above all else, practice mindfulness and positivity. It’s a difficult time for everyone, and every single person is suffering losses and difficulty on their own scale. Maybe you miss your friends or were really looking forward to formal, which are valid complaints, but it is important to accept reality and make the most of it. There is always a silver lining, even with coronavirus, whether it be the positive global environmental impact or the fact that you have a chance to learn some new skills on your own. Stay safe + optimistic out there!