Self-quarantining and social distancing? If you’re staying put in your house, hotel or villa, here are some fun things to do at home during the Coronavirus pandemic.
It’s official: the Coronavirus pandemic has flipped our lives upside-down, with a global movement to #StayHome, minimise human contact and reduce the spread of the virus. And after months of social distancing and our slow transition into the “new normal”, you’re probably feeling a wave of cabin-fever (‘scuse the expression) and looking for more fun things to do at home.
So, to help you on your home quarantine journey, we’ve put together a list of awesome things to do and fun activities to keep you and your family busy. From binge-watching epic series on Netflix to hosting virtual quaran-tini parties on Zoom, there’s plenty of fun things to do at home during your Coronavirus quarantine. Stay safe, stay sane, and don’t forget the hand sanitiser…
30 THINGS TO DO AT HOME UNDER QUARANTINE
1. Netflix & chill
We can only imagine the surge in new Netflix subscriptions throughout 2020, and for good reason. You can lose track of hours (even days!) binge-watching your fave Netflix series, and there’s no better time to tick off all the goodies from your must-watch hit-list. Our faves? Try Stranger Things, Bodyguard, Sex Education, Ozark, The Sinner, You, After Life, The Stranger and Cheer – to name just a few. Oh, and if you want to mix pleasure with productivity? Get inspired and spruce up your home by watching “Tidying Up with Maria Kondo”…
2. Learn the lingo
No more excuses on why you still can’t order a cup of coffee overseas – now’s the time to learn the local lingo! There are so many ways to learn a language these days, from one-on-one online classes and downloadable language apps (like Duolingo), to the old-school method of flash cards or post-it notes stuck to your fridge. Whatever works best for you, give it go and get babbling. Selamat belajar!
3. Have a clear out
Whether you’re a hoarder or a minimalist, we all have a cupboard, drawer or even an entire house that needs some TLC. Spend a few hours (or maybe even a week?!) sorting through your messy closet or kitchen pantry and set aside anything you don’t need. If it’s old or broken, throw it away. Otherwise, consider donating it to a local charity or family in need.
4. Smash those fitness goals
Okay, so you shouldn’t necessarily be hitting the gym or yoga studio right now, but what you can do is find the perfect exercise class or fitness app online. The web’s buzzing with inspirational fitness blogs and trainer videos full of fit peeps who can show you the battle ropes – from full-blown workouts with fitness gurus like Kayla Itsines and Nike Training Club, to calming Yin Yoga with virtual instructors.
5. Tune in to Zoom or Instagram Live
TV guides are soooo 2019. The 2020 pandemic is all about Zoom and Instagram Live schedules that let you tap into one-off experiences and educational workshops around the world. You can watch live “concerts” from your favourite band (direct from their living room), you can join art workshops, listen to interviews, get involved with political discussions and even chat live with your fave Insta personalities.
6. Practice #selfcare
Never underestimate the power of a bubble bath – especially one that involves flickering candles, a slice of cake and a big glass of wine. Or if face masks, body scrubs and mani-pedis are more your thing, then get busy primping and preening in that department too. Whatever makes you feel good right now, take the time to do it.
7. Work from home
Digital nomads will already be very well acquainted with the remote work schedule, but if you’re new to this 2020 trend, welcome to the at-home club. Making the transition ain’t always easy, but following a few simple guidelines can keep you on track with your daily to-do list. Our top tips? Plan a schedule (and stick to it), create your own dedicated office space, take regular breaks, and check in with your colleagues to stay connected and keep the team’s morale sky-high. A productivity-provoking playlist goes a long way, too…
8. Take a breather
Let’s face it: during these unsettling times, even the most laid-back of peeps are a little on edge. So why not soothe those stresses with some meditation, mindfulness, and even anxiety-melting sleep stories to get some good Z’s. Our fave apps are Calm and Headspace – we feel all warm and fuzzy just thinking about them…
9. Start a Whatsapp group
While we can’t hang out with all of our friends and relatives right now, there are plenty of ways we can stay connected. More than just a random Facebook message or a tag on a funny meme, a Whatsapp group keeps you and your closest friends in the loop. You may want to start a support group that shares useful information and daily updates on the virus, or you might just want one place for you and your mates to continue the giggles and daily banter. Consider a family group too, and even offer your number to elderly neighbours or anyone in isolation on their own.
10. Cook up a storm
So, your kitchen is kitted out with all the must-have cooking gadgets, but you’re yet to get ‘em dirty? Well, now’s the time to start living your best domestic life, because it’s never been more important to tuck into fresh produce, and most importantly, make the most of those home delivery services that bring all of the ingredients right to your doorstep. Stock up on everything from fruits and veg to little luxuries like vegan cheeses, organic meats and baking essentials. You may not be a cooking whizz, but there’s a little thing called YouTube that might come in handy…
11. Host a quaran-tini party
Obviously we’re talking virtual parties here, but that doesn’t mean there needs to be any less alcohol involved, or any less people dancing on tables. Set a date, invite your mates, and all log into Zoom or Skype at the same time each week to catch up on all the isolation goss. The best bit about these virtual nights out? You can stay in your PJs and you don’t need to worry about catching a taxi home…
12. Experiment with hairstyles
If you’ve always wanted to test out a fringe but have been too scared to try it – now’s your chance. If you hate it? It’ll grow out and there’s no one around to see it. If you love it? Well then that’s a quarantine win! Otherwise, simply play around with pigtails, learn how to French braid, or even find a new up-do that fits the ever-deepening grooves in your couch.
13. Plan your next vacay
Overseas trips may be on hold for now, but you can always get busy planning your next overseas adventure. If Bali has always been on your bucket list, we’ve got guides on Bali’s best waterfalls, awesome things to do across the island, the best places to stay in Ubud, quiet escapes to North Bali, and even island hops to neighbouring Lombok and Bali’s little sister islands, Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan.
14. Supercharge your CV
Whether you’ve been laid off work for a while or you simply have a few extra hours on your hands, there’s no better time to step-up your skills and add to your professional portfolio. Now, it doesn’t have to be a gruelling coding qualification or mind-boggling maths class. You can learn about interior design, animal behaviour, and even mixology for your nightly cocktail hour. Check out Masterclass or Coursera for our faves, with courses led by top universities and instructors from around the world. And if you don’t have time to study? Check out Blinkist and takeaway key ideas in just 15 minutes from 3000+ bestselling non-fiction books.
15. Do some good
Charities around the world are struggling, and small local organisations are finding the pandemic slump particularly hard, with a lack of funding and a worldwide decrease in donations. So why not help them out with a fundraiser of your own? Find a good local cause, raise some cash and pass it on. Here in Bali, people are fundraising to help feed and support local families, and it’s making a world of difference.
16. Foster a quarantine companion
Let’s be straight – self-isolating is exactly how it sounds: isolating and pretty damn lonely. So if you want some company throughout your quarantine period (and endless laughter, snuggles and entertainment), why not foster a cute dog or cat from a rescue shelter? Here in Bali, we recommend Mission Pawsible – check out their “Part Time Paw’rent” program for more details, and find your paw’fect match!
17. Organise your photos
Whether your iPhone storage is almost at capacity or you still haven’t gone through all of those amazing photos from your last Bali holiday, now’s the time to get organising. Separate all of your pictures into folders (by year, location, or type) and then back them all up on a hard drive or save all to the Cloud. That’s one less thing you need to worry about when the world opens up again.
18. Become the next Beethoven
Beethoven once said, “music can change the world” – and boy do we need some of that right now. So it’s officially time to dust off your old college guitar, unpack your long-lost violin or even turn your coffee table into a makeshift drum kit. Hop on over to YouTube, find your favourite tutorial, and dance to your own beat.
19. Soak up the sunshine
Right now isn’t the best time to sun-soak with the masses at your fave beach club, but you can make the most of the beautiful weather by laying out your sarong, popping on your hottest bikini and lazing the day away by your glittering pool or even just in your garden. After all, they say that the virus doesn’t do well in the heat, so bronzing your bod is all for a good cause…
20. Get your game on
Don’t let boredom get the better of you. Instead, reach for a board game and get involved with some good old fashioned family fun. Or, if you’re a solo isolator, get busy with puzzles, crosswords or video games to pass the time. Top tip: you can join online gaming communities and even play with your mates too – the virtual gaming world is your oyster!
21. Become a TikTok hit
Apparently, all the cool kids are doing it. Parents – your kids will love getting you involved with their next TikTok dance routine (time to learn the Floss!) or go Corona-viral with your very own quarantine-themed production.
22. Go wild with an online shopping spree
Retail therapy doesn’t have to mean a day spent trawling your fave boutiques. You can easily update your wardrobe or your home interiors online – from bikini brands to fabulous jewellery pieces and more, it’s all just a click away. And psst – Bali expats! If you haven’t jumped on the retail therapy bandwagon yet, here’s our full list of online stores in Bali & Indonesia.
23. Make it a picnic
Dining tables are soooo pre-pandemic. During self-isolation, you’ll want to shake up your eating routines with some cute and quirky table settings. Our fave is a picnic in the garden, or even in the living room. Lay down a rug, grab those big salad bowls and turn on your summer playlist. And if you’re quarantining with your partner? Light some candles for a romantic picnic for two.
24. Virtually travel to Europe
Wanderlust got you good? Luckily, you can ‘tune in’ to live webcams at some of Europe’s most popular destinations. From the once-bustling Barcelona beach, to the Market Square in Bruges that’s typically teeming with tourists, or even Rome’s iconic Colosseum – watch in wonder, because you’ll likely never see these legendary locations as quiet as this ever again.
25. Download GO-JEK and live the dream
Another one for Bali’s residents and expats: GO-JEK is the all-in-one app that fell from heaven. Honestly, we can’t remember how we ever survived before it graced our smartphones. So, do yourself a favour and if you haven’t already, download the app for unadulterated access to home-delivered food from all of your fave Bali restaurants, as well as in-villa massages, on-call cleaners, at-home beauty services, personal shoppers and even postal services – all available at your disinfected fingertips!
26. Get crafty
From scrapbooking and painting to crocheting and even jewellery-making, getting crafty is a great way to pass the time in quarantine. If you’re not already stocked up on art supplies, buy some online, like paints, canvases, papers, pens, clays – pretty much anything that gets your creative juices flowing.
27. Start your own business
If you’re one of the many people currently out of work, it’s time to think outside-the-box. Sending your CV to employers who have already had to let go of their long-serving staff probably isn’t going to work, so start taking matters into your own hands and set up your own business. Of course, you might not make your millions in the current climate, but there really is no better time to start planning, researching and strategising for when things improve. Who knows, this time next year you could be looking back wondering why you never took the leap sooner…
28. Go green
While fears of food shortages and pandemic-related looting have thankfully passed, growing your own food should still be a top priority. We’re not talking an entire farm full of produce; start simple with a few herbs on your windowsill, and if you have the space, move onto tomato vines in the garden, smaller fruit trees and a few root vegetables. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they grow when you have so much extra time to tend to them…
29. Build a Pinterest board
If you’re feeling a little deflated, download Pinterest and spark some creativity. You’ll enter a digital universe that’s positively overflowing with inspiration and innovation. Pin the ones you love, get cracking on some of your favourite ideas or save them for later for when hardware and homewares stores reopen. From interior design to crafts and travel inspo, let your imagination run wild…
30. Laugh at some funny memes
We get it, Coronavirus ain’t no joke. But with so much doom-and-gloom around, we owe it to ourselves to have a little giggle. So we’re doing exactly that. We’ve found 35 funny Coronavirus memes that will hopefully bring a bite-sized smile to your face (and yes, we know some of them are a bit tasteless, but that’s what memes are for!).
31. Do absolutely nothing
Yes, there are literally hundreds of things to do at home under quarantine, but there’s no need to feel pressure to emerge as a bilingual Masterchef with a degree in astrophysics. With more time to spare, no meetings to attend and no crammed diaries with every social event etched in, let yourself soak up this moment of solitude, and do absolute nothing. Nap, doze, daydream, or just stare into space. It’s your time in isolation, so enjoy it.
Stay safe and sane, everyone!
