We all fear the moment those dreaded Screen Time reports come out every Sunday morning. We gasp in surprise, and go through the stages of grief. Denial: There’s no way this is right. Anger: What did I even do on my phone for 9 hours today?! And finally, Acceptance: I promise to improve my screen time tomorrow.
With a long summer break ahead and being unable to work right now, I can relate to the extreme, newfound boredom you may be experiencing. (Not to mention that our generation has literally been conditioned to thrive off of productivity.)
Remote work opportunities are getting difficult to find, and there’s only so much Netflix you can watch in a day. So here are some activities that I’ve been enjoying at home that may inspire you:
1. Read a book
I’ll be honest, I have quite a few books lying around that I never finished for my high school and college classes. One thing I miss the most about being younger is having the time and motivation to read books for fun. So a few weeks ago, I decided to finally pick up these award-winning books that were carefully selected by my teachers and professors. You’ll be surprised by how much you miss getting immersed in a story. Now more than ever, reading is a really nice way to get whisked away from reality for a while.
2. Do a puzzle
Try redoing a puzzle you have at home, or ordering a new one from sites like Michaels, Etsy, and Uncommon Goods! Don’t forget about other brain teasers like Rubik’s cubes, Sudoku, and tangrams that can keep you riddled for quite some time.
3. Try a new recipe
Since we now have extra time on our hands and are making most of our meals at home, what better time is there to experiment in the kitchen? There are so many colorful recipes on Pinterest that catch my eye every time I open the app. You can expand your palate, explore new cuisines, or create your favorite takeout meal at home!
Bonus: You can save these recipes for when you go back to college and long for those warm, homecooked meals!
4. Try new drinks (if 21+)
The nice part about being home is that parents are real adults who are equipped with everything you need to practice your mixology skills. My current favorite is @theparadise.bartender on TikTok, but there are several aesthetically pleasing recipes on Pinterest as well!
5. Start working out
To be honest, I haven’t been working out nearly as much as I aspire to, but some of my favorite ways to exercise are by simply taking walks or riding my bike around the neighborhood. I also love the Nike app for short workouts and C25K for starting running, and my sister and my friends have been raving about Chloe Ting’s killer ab workouts on YouTube.
Fun fact: Chloe Ting was THE Chris Hemsworth’s ab trainer!!!
6. Redecorate your room
Many of us have been forced to leave our dorms and apartments and move back home. Although we miss our freedom and individuality, this is the perfect time to transform your childhood room into a clean, serene space for your grown-up self!
7. Clean out your closet
You never know what hidden treasures are lurking in your childhood closet. Maybe you’ll rediscover some of your favorite outfits from the past, find old clothing to upcycle, or simply collect items for donation.
8. Unleash your creativity
There are so many ways you can express yourself through materials you may already have access to at home. Here are some examples, but don’t limit yourself to these and think outside of the box!
Free virtual painting classes on Facebook
Making friendship bracelets
Learning embroidery, knitting, or sewing
Upcycling old clothes
Trying new makeup looks
Drawing or painting a scene from nature
Creating your own board game
9. Have a sleepover with your siblings
My favorite quarantine activity has to be annoying my sister while she’s still doing homework. (Just kidding, don’t do that.) But we can definitely take advantage of being stuck at home together on the weekends by spending some time with our built-in best friends. Try out a new Netflix series or movie, make some snacks, have a spa night, or play video games -- whatever brings you guys together!
10. Watch a movie with your parents
We all have disagreements with our parents, but these are valuable times that we won’t get back after we move out again. Watching a movie is one of my favorite family-friendly activities because you can bond over shared interests with little room for misunderstandings or arguments.
These are just a few of my favorite activities to do at home in quarantine, and I would love to hear what you all have been up to recently. Tag me in your Instagram story @life.with.ankita or leave a comment below! And make sure to check out my Pinterest for even more ideas!
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