Here at the Argonaut, we’ve been consistently putting out two event calendars for our LIFE and News sections that spread the word about events going on in our area.
In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s restrictions on event sizes, events are cancelled. This leaves many people without much to do in their free time. So, here are some suggestions for things to do at home.
Decorate your home with hearts
Last week the City of Moscow posted on their Facebook page something that anyone can take part in during this time. The post said anyone can decorate their house with hearts, of any color, to let others in the community know they are loved. Anyone who does this can comment on the City of Moscow’s Facebook page and share their photos, if they choose to do so.
“Spread love to your neighbors, not germs!” the post said.
Take up knitting, cross stitching or any other needle point
Knitting, cross stitching and needle point are all relaxing ways to spend time. Each of them have their own difficulties, and each person may enjoy all or just one of them. This hobby is fun, and time consuming in a good way.
Watch YouTube videos
There are countless hours of videos on YouTube. The hard part about this one is spending too much time staring at a screen. But hey, people are already inside and shouldn’t be going anywhere regardless.
Make a YouTube channel
Have a talent or certain area of expertise? Have a camera and some type of editing software? Then you can start to make your own YouTube channel. There is a lot that goes into maintaining a YouTube channel, but this is a good place to start. If you have been dying to do this but haven’t had the time, you probably do now.
Teach older relatives to FaceTime
Nobody should be visiting their older relatives right now. A phone call can be special to our older relatives, but seeing them face to face is also a wonderful thing. Spend some time over the phone with older relatives and teach them how to FaceTime or video chat if they don’t know how.
Crack open a cookbook and put your own spin on a recipe
Cooking is a great way to spend time during self-isolation. Crack open that cookbook and make a recipe. Better yet, try a variation of it and find a new favorite dish.
Try your hand at drawing
Whether it be from a book or a video online, you need practice and guidance to learn how to draw if you never have before. This skill is another way to sit down, relax and do something for yourself.
Watch a movie or a show with a friend on FaceTime
If you and a friend both have a Netflix account, or any other streaming service, then you can watch a movie together even if you’re not in the same place. Just hop on FaceTime on your phone and watch the movie on your laptop. Make sure you start the movie at the same time and stay synced up.
Come up with a scavenger hunt
Hide some things around the house and come up with some clues. Hand the clues to whoever you live with and have them find a “treasure” at the end of the scavenger hunt.
Start a journal
These are stressful times. It can be hard to process emotions, and sometimes writing them down can help you make sense of them. Plus, it will be a good thing to look back on in the future when all of this is over.
Nicole Hindberg can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HindbergNicole.