Covid hasn’t left us yet but you can start the year right by doing something different with these leisure activities in Singapore.
Before the pandemic happened, we thought how delightful it’d be if only we had more time to spend with our loved ones. The current global situation has spawned what’s colloquially known as “The Great Resignation”. It’s not at all surprising, considering many of us were feeling stuck and fatigued in dead-end jobs we didn’t love.
During this period, we re-prioritised what truly matters most to us. We also used this opportunity to explore our own backyard instead of always hopping on a plane to escape for the weekend. We got the chance to save money and spend less in general on stuff such as public transportation thanks to WFH. So, as much as this whole extended pandemic experience has been infuriating, stressful, tiresome and challenging, there are actually a lot of silver linings.
Want a fresh start and an optimistic beginning to the new year? Here are some leisure activities in Singapore to turn your negative outlook into a positive, transformative and fun-filled experience.
Fun leisure activities to try in Singapore
1. Pick up a unique hobby
Learn a new life skill ‘cos nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you’re not sure what to do, how about something novel you’ve always wanted to have a go at but never found the time or inclination? Or perhaps even something that frightens you a little?
Our suggestion: try your hand at craft workshops like making pretty pottery. Become proficient in a new foreign language. Practice and play a musical instrument. Dust off old paintbrushes and canvases to create your own original masterpiece (who knows, it could be worth a fortune in the future!). It might take you by surprise what you can achieve if you take that first step and be willing to get your feet wet.
2. Find your inner zen
Practising meditation and other holistic therapies allow you to find an oasis of calm and tranquillity amidst the mayhem happening around the world. Attend a yoga class or sound bath session to unwind, destress and reclaim your centre.
Focusing on health and fitness is one of the best investments you’ll ever make. It’s an act of self-love! There’s a prominent cycling trend at the moment – just take a look at all the crowded bicycle shops. Cycling is a great form of cardio exercise that allows you to take your mind off things (it’s also kind to the environment). If sweaty activities aren’t your thing, head to any beach in Singapore and take an energising dip in the sea. Let nature’s neutralising ions and refreshing sea breezes rejuvenate and revitalise your worn-out soul, we say.
Next on the list: declutter and spring clean your living space and working environment for good feng shui. That helps you make room for new and better things. Consider upcycling and repurposing old knick-knacks to breathe a fresh lease of life into them. Or make perfumed soap and aromatic candles scented with essential oils. While you’re at it, try creating beauty products out of ingredients you can find in your own home! Plenty of wonders can be achieved with a dash of creativity, a pair of crafty hands, and some spare time.
3. Grow your green fingers
The idea of growing your own crops while getting your hands dirty and being close to Mother Nature is an enticing notion. No wonder gardening is one of the activities that recently exploded in popularity in Singapore. The concept of rooftop and vertical farming has also taken root with plots and greenhouses in places like HortPark and Sprout Hub eagerly snapped up.
Even if you don’t have space at home for an outdoor garden, you can still beautify your indoor environs with potted plants or make your own terrarium of succulents to perk up your work desk. Alternatively, grab the kids and embark on a guided farm tour of Bollywood Veggies, Jurong Frog Farm, The Live Tortoise and Turtle Museum, Hay Dairies Goat Farm and other countryside places.
4. Spot the hidden gems of Singapore
Now’s the time to be a tourist in our own country and discover the best-kept secrets our beautiful green tropical isle has to offer. Explore the offshore islands of Coney, Lazarus and Kusu for their idyllic beaches, admire the epic untouched natural beauty of Clementi and Dover forests, or traipse through the haunted Keppel Hill Reservoir and its post-World War II elements. Places like Seletar Aerospace Park and Bukit Gombak Hill Park may be a little out of the way, but that’s what makes these secluded spots tick. They’re practically teeming with wonders to discover!
The next time you’re feeling a little down or bored out of your mind, pick one of these ideas and kick-start your own adventure.
