If you’re one of the many people who are “socially distancing,” “sheltering in place,” “WFH” (working from home) or, in other words, stuck at home, find some comfort in knowing you are not alone. While it is a stressful time, we here at Frame It Easy encourage you to stay productive and entertained. Staying home 24/7 is definitely an adjustment for most of us, but you don’t have to feel like your life is a scene from Groundhog Day.
We’re sharing with you some of our favorite ways to stay busy and keep yourself from going completely stir-crazy inside the house (because you might still go semi stir-crazy 🤪).
1. Complete Your Spring Cleaning
While you might feel completely unmotivated to do any cleaning or organizing (who’s gonna see your efforts!) there is no better time to do this! There’s a good reason it’s called spring cleaning. The weather is getting warmer in most parts of the country, so open your doors and windows to let some fresh air in, blast some of your favorite tunes, and get to it!
You don’t necessarily have to get rid of anything. Rearrange your closets. Re-organize your Tupperware drawer. Remove the dust bunnies collecting under your bed. Now is a great time to deep clean and disinfect, which is always a good idea but especially important now. Spring cleaning is a great way to not only clear your space but clear your head too!
2. Go Through Old Photos
When you’re done with your spring cleaning, take the opportunity to go through some of your old photo books to remind you of all the great memories you’ve made!
You can also choose some of your favorites to get framed to add some new decor around your house. Or if you have some already framed that are outdated and need a refresh, consider reframing them. Check out our post in our Learning Center to preserve your old photos to make sure they are framed properly!
3. Color
It’s not just for kids! Amazon has tons of adult coloring books as well as for kids and teens. We think you will find it not only fun, but a great way to distract you so you can relax. Try it for yourself. Grab your crayons, markers, or colored pencils, and get working on your masterpiece.
This could also be a great way to keep your kids entertained for a few hours while you do other chores around the house or just take a minute for yourself. Plus, your kid’s drawings and art projects make for great home decor when they’re finished.
4. Read A Book
Now is the perfect time to read that book you bought that’s been sitting on your coffee table. Relax outside on a nice day or use it as an excuse to stay in bed on a rainy day! Whatever the weather is, pick up that book and escape into another world.
5. Listen To A Podcast
Crime, Romance, Cooking, and Lifestyle are just some of the Podcast options for you to choose from. If you have an iPhone or Apple product the podcast app is free and features thousands of different podcasts to choose from. If you don’t have an Apple product, there are many apps to choose from such as Pocket Casts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Throw your headphones on and listen to your Podcast as you clean, go for a walk, or even just relax on the couch!
6. Binge Watch A Show
Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are just a few of the great streaming services that are definitely giving us every reason to stay in bed and catch up on new and old shows. There is no better time to not feel guilty about watching one or two (or three, we won’t judge!) episodes of your favorite TV shows.
Or use this time as an excuse to watch a family movie every night. Pop some popcorn, grab your blankets, and get cozy!
7. Family Game Night
If you’ve run out of movies to watch or just want to switch things up for family night, try a game! Board games, card games, or even a puzzle are a great way to gather the family up and stay entertained.
If you opt for a puzzle, consider framing it when you are finished! This way you can remember all the fun you had creating your beautiful masterpiece while you stayed safe and quarantined together.
8. Zoom/Facetime With Friends
Why does girls or guys night have to stop when we have wonderful technology that lets us stay in contact with our friends? Download Zoom and have a party. If everyone has Apple products, do a group Facetime! This is a great way to reconnect with your friends. And unlike texting or phone calls, you get to see one another at the same time! Add a cocktail or two, and you’ll forget you’re not in the same room.
Also, don’t be afraid to take screenshots as you chat with your loved ones — traditional group photos may be off the table right now, so let’s capture these new kinds of memories. “Professional” Facetime portraits are even becoming a thing, so it might be something to ask your favorite photographer about!
9. Try Your Cooking And Baking Skills
Maybe one of those cooking podcasts inspired you to try your hand at a new recipe, or you bought too many bananas last week and they’re looking a little sad. Don’t throw them out! Banana bread recipes are trending right now.
This is a great time to try a new dish from the cookbook you found while you were spring cleaning, or recreate a spectacular dessert that you normally order when you go out to dinner. If you really want to get creative, come up with your own signature dish using ingredients you have in the fridge and pantry. You just might be the next top chef.
10. Learn A New Language (Or Anything New)
You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the time? Well, now you do. How many of us have always wanted to learn another language? Whether you just want to learn the basics or you want to become fluent, there are tons of apps that can help no matter what stage you’re at. Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, and Memrise are just a few! Spend 10 minutes a day or immerse yourself fully. Buena suerte, viel gluck, and zhu hao yun.
Think of all the times you’ve said you wanted to try something new but haven’t had the chance. And if you can’t think of anything, use some skills you already have. You may be stuck at home, but there’s so many others working to keep us going. If you can sew, make some masks. It will keep you busy and make an impact!
Final Thoughts
While this is an unprecedented time for all of us, there are plenty of ways to keep busy and entertained, and we hope this has given you a few ideas. Try to keep in mind that this too shall pass. Use your time wisely and maybe even create a few memories along the way.
This time at home may seem endless, but t’s easy to let the little moments pass us by. If you’ve done any of these things or have more ideas on how to stay busy at home, send them to us! We would love to hear from you.
