Sort Out Stuff to Give Away
We know it can be hard to finally decide to give away that favorite top you got 5 years ago but don’t ever really wear anymore. Or that shelf decoration your aunt gave you but you never really liked. But alas, you must, and there’s no better time than the present, so start sorting through your stuff and make a list of who you want to give it to.
Think of friends, family, neighbors, the dog walker. Someone is bound to like that tie-dye top.
Start a Small Garden
There's nothing more soothing or therapeutic for the soul than gardening.
Whether it's a proper vegetable patch, or just a few small pots for condiments and tea leaves in your kitchen, tending to your greens will not only keep you entertained, but also help with your mood!
Do Some Deep Cleaning
It’s never a bad time to clean your home. It’s one of those things we’re constantly putting off because we’re too busy working, cooking, going to the gym, paying taxes, etc. This is why, if you know you’re going to be spending some days at home alone, cleaning is a perfect activity.
Just put on some of your favorite music and you’ll get into it in no time. Besides, there’s nothing cozier than a clean home.
Watch Old VHS and DVDs
Remember the good old times? When watching a movie meant going through your precious VHS collection and getting nostalgic about all the old classics you bought back in the day? Granted, it was a little obnoxious to have to make sure the tape you wanted was rewound up to the beginning. But there is something beautiful and nostalgic about re-watching old VHS tapes and DVDs.
So dig up the old boxes from the garage, pop in your favorite tape and take a trip down memory lane. Nothing beats curling up with a nice cup of tea (or a huge bowl of ice cream) and watching 'The Lion King' on VHS.
Visit Your Pantry and Invent a New Dish
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, but boredom is too. When was the last time you cleaned out your pantry? If you're anything like us, the answer is anything between a week and a few months, so chances are you've got food in there you don't even remember buying.
If you're bored at home, go check your pantry and get creative with whatever is left over! You can invent a new dish, even if it's just box mac n' cheese with a side of yeast and some apple cider vinegar on top.
Upcycle and Create Something Beautiful
Every home has that carton box in the corner filled with things you've been meaning to throw away for months. Well, if you haven't (which is most likely the case), grab it and start upcycling! Just look online for upcycling ideas and you'll find a new purpose for every single thing in that box.
You can create paper flower chandeliers from old pieces of construction paper, sew scraps of old clothes and create a beautiful home decoration, turn old bottles into soap dispensers or plant holders, and more. The sky's the limit!
Reorganize Your Closet and Create New Outfits
Remember that scene in 'Clueless' when Alicia Silverstone goes into her walk-in closet and starts choosing outfits on a screen where she can see what she would look like in each one? Well, think that, minus the screen, the walk-in closet and the $20 million house in Beverly Hills.
Go through your closet, every single piece of clothing and accessory you have, reorganize it, clean it out, mix and match things you would never wear together, create a new outfit, a new look. At the very least, you'll have a blast!
Look Online for Workouts
It's important to do at least 20 minutes of physical activity everyday, even if you're staying home. This can be anything from yoga, pilates, boxing, dancing, stretching, to even walking around the house, or any other activity that involves physical movement.
If you're pulling your hair trying to figure out how to exercise at home, just go online and type in 'easy home workouts', chose the video you like the most and start your workout! And hey, the good news is you only have to walk across the room to take a shower!
Find Old Newspapers and Do the Crossword Puzzles
Whether you're old-school and still get your newspaper in print, or you're one of those people with a thousand notifications from the New York Times news app on the phone, the crossword puzzle is one of the best parts of any newspaper.
If you're staying home these days, keep your mind sharp and entertained with all those old crossword puzzles you never solved. Go through old newspapers or crossword apps on your phone and start playing.
Reread Favorite Books
Whether you're a bookworm or just an occasional reader, there are few things more satisfying than curling up with a good book and really getting into it.
Revisit your bookshelf, pick out one of your all time favorites and snuggle up with a nice cup of coffee.
Give Your Room a Complete Makeover
Feng Shui experts say that even moving a single object in a space changes the energy of the whole room. Step into your room, look around, and start rearranging objects, move the furniture, swap some lamps.
Whether it's moving your bed or rearranging some photos on the wall, a makeover is always good for the soul. Not to mention your room!
Connect with Someone You Haven’t Spoken to in a While
Even in today's globalized world, there's always that one friend or family member that we haven't spoken to in months, maybe even years. So, if you're stuck in your house for the next few days, take the opportunity to do Facetime or a Skype call.
It's always good to reconnect with people. And who knows? Maybe you'll find yourself in a 2-hour conversation taking a trip down memory lane!
Do a Puzzle
You'd be hard-pressed to find a home that doesn't have at least one puzzle box laying around in an old closet. We know that nowadays, most board games and puzzles are done online, but if you can manage to find the real thing, grab that box and start a puzzle the old-fashioned way.
And hey, if it's a nice one, you can even frame it when you're done and hang it up!
Paint a Scene or a Portrait
Contrary to what you might think, you don't actually have to have any artistic skills for this one. Just a little patience and some drawing tools. Think of something you find beautiful - a view, a scene in a movie, a person, an object around the house - and try to draw it on paper.
Regardless of what comes out, this is a great exercise for the creative side of your brain, and hey, you might even discover a hidden talent!
Find Old Photos and Make a Fun Collage
Visit the storage room and start going through all those boxes of old photos. Pick your favorite ones, grab some construction paper, cardboard, glue and a pair of scissors and make a beautiful collage!
You'll relive beautiful moments, pass the time, and maybe even come out with a stunning collage to decorate your home with.
Make Shadow Boxes from Souvenirs
Everybody has a box of souvenirs somewhere in the house. Whether it's filled with concert tickets you went to as a teenager, movie stubs from your favorite films, or old friendship bracelets, there is no better way to store them than in a beautiful DIY shadow box.
Just find an easy online tutorial on how to make a simple shadow box and display your keepsakes as a stunning piece of art.
Start an Instagram Account for Your Pet (or Yourself)
If you have a pet and you're stuck at home, you're probably taking pictures every 5 minutes anyway, because god forbid you to miss the last cute thing they did. So, why not make use of the million photos and start a cute Instagram account for your furry friend?
You'll spend three hours deciding on the photo filters alone! And while you're at it, you might as well open an account for yourself, if you haven't yet.
Start a Blog About a Topic That Inspires You
Everybody is passionate about something, but unfortunately, due to our busy lives, we don't always get to indulge in what we love. Use the time you're stuck at home to start a blog and write about things that inspire you.
Thanks to WordPress, Wix and other similar platforms, you don't even need to know coding to start your own site! Just choose a template online and start writing.
Write a Letter to an Estranged Relative or Someone You Miss
When was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter? And no, we don't mean on your laptop, we mean with real life pen and paper. Chances are, if you're under 25, the answer is 'never'. So we have a small project for you - think about someone you care about and haven't spoken to in years, look for a nice piece of paper and a pen, and start writing a letter.
It doesn't matter if it's short, or if you never send it, the point is to write it and read what comes out.
Create a Playlist
In the age of iTunes and Spotify, creating a playlist has never been easier. Go into your account and make a playlist of your favorite songs to rock out to while at home.
Already have a million playlists? Organize them! Add new favorites, look for new albums by your favorite artists, assign the correct album artwork for your digital music library, and more.
Try Out New Bath Bombs
If you're lucky enough to have a bathtub, grab your favorite book or magazine, a nice glass of wine and take a bubble bath. Try out a new bath bomb to add extra bubbles and scent to your bath.
With all the amazing new scents available, you'll feel brand new after a delightful bath.
Try a New Hair Style or Makeup
Be bold and give yourself a new haircut, even if it's just the ends. Grab some styling gel and play around with crazy hairstyles from magazines.
Or raid your makeup bag and try out some shade colors you haven't used in a while; give yourself a makeover, play with different styles until you find one you love.
Take Some Beginner Online Coding Classes
Nowadays, there are hundreds of online courses to learn simple coding or programming. Use learning platforms like Coursera, Udacity or Khan Academy to take a short beginner class and get yourself acquainted with simple coding.
This will open up an infinite number of possibilities, from enabling you to create your own website within a matter of weeks, adding an impressive skill to your CV, or even taping into a passion you never knew you had!
Learn a New Language
It's always good to learn a new skill, so why not make it a new language? You can download a language learning app like Duolingo, chose a language and start learning the basics.
Not only will it be extremely useful when you travel, it'll help keep your memory sharp and your mind focused.
Write a Bucket List
There's no better time to write a bucket list than when you're stuck at home. You have a lot of time to think, a lot of ideas to consider, and a lot of old journals to go through (you know, in case you forgot what your dream was when you were 13).
Find a piece of paper and start writing a list with all the things you want to do in life. Just writing it will put a smile on your face.
Make Natural Cleaning Products from Household Items
You can make great homemade cleaners with simple household items, such as baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils.
Not only will you save money on brand cleaning products, you'll be doing your part for the earth. Go online to find easy recipes for homemade laundry detergent, air freshener, all-purpose cleaner, and more!
Watch an Inspiring TED Talk
Launched over 30 years ago, TED is a media organization that offers online talks about virtually any topic you can think of. Each talk features an inspiring individual that is either a professional in their field or someone that has first-hand experience with the topic at hand.
Find a topic that interests you, type it in the search bar on the TED website, and prepare to be fascinated. We promise you won't be disappointed.
Get into Podcasts
Podcasts have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. You can find anything from health advice, true crime stories, and political debates, to music critics, cooking tips, and countless more.
Try 'The Daily' and 'This American Life' to get started.
Start a Journal
Journaling is a great habit to get into. It helps declutter the mind and unload thoughts and ideas onto paper, making them more accessible for our conscious brain to read afterwards.
If you know you'll be home for the next few days, schedule a time everyday to write in your journal and try to stick to it, even if you just write a few lines. Write down whatever comes to mind, even if it's just a few doodles.
Make S’mores on Your Stove
Now, we know this doesn't exactly sound ideal, but we have to be considerate with those who don't have a garden or a big enough outdoor area to start an actual campfire. But we promise it's (almost) as delicious.
Get a big bag of your favorite marshmallows and some wooden skewers, fire up the stove and make homemade s'mores! Cover with some melted chocolate for extra happiness.
Try to Recreate a Dish from Your Favorite Restaurant
We all have a favorite restaurant, and obviously, a favorite dish from that same beloved place. Give yourself a challenge and try to recreate the dish!
Look for different recipes online to discover different versions until you find one that's closest to the one you love.
Try Out a New DIY Facial With Clean Ingredients
In recent years, as awareness for the environment has increased significantly, so has the importance and knowledge of making our own products. Especially when it comes to cosmetics. Today, you can find thousands of recipes for making your own face masks, soaps, tonics, and much more.
Give yourself a facial with simple, clean ingredients you can find in any kitchen, such as honey. Mix half a teaspoon of raw honey and some warm water, gently apply to the face and leave for a few minutes. It will leave your skin shiny and soft.
Take the Time to Review Your Favorite Restaurants (and Your Least Favorites!)
Remember that amazing restaurant you went to that time and the owner asked if you could leave them a review on yelp? You never did it, did you? Don't worry, neither did anybody.
So, take the time to review that delicious restaurant and send some people their way! Or knock yourself out and bash the place that gave you the burnt coffee that one time.
Learn Photoshop and Play With Old Photos
Look for old photograph folders on your computer, find five or ten you really like, and start playing around with them on Photoshop!
There are countless tutorials online, from basic 2-minute videos to more advanced lessons. Start small and have some fun bringing old pics back to life.
Make Potpourri With Dried Flowers
If you have any flowers around the house, grab a handful and dry them out to make homemade potpourri! Tie the stems with some twine and hang them upside down for a few days, until they're fully dry.
Once they're dry, place the flowers in a container and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Mix gently with your hand and you've got homemade potpourri!
Turn Your Hobby into a Way to Make Money
Of course, this isn't always possible, but sometimes, all it takes is some research. For example, if you're into cooking, you can start a vlog with short how-to videos for easy dishes and charge for more elaborate recipes once you get a following.
Or, maybe you collect vintage stamps, so you can open an online store for them on eBay.
Discover Your Ancestry Online
There is nothing more fascinating than knowing where we came from, learning about our ancestors and understanding what that means for us in today's world. Besides, it's incredibly entertaining! Imagine discovering your great-grandmother was a Spanish queen?
Even though that's probably a stretch, you should still visit an ancestry website and discover your roots. Have fun!
Make a Photo Gallery for Loved Ones Across the World
Since family photo albums are a thing of the past, surprise your family with a digital version! Take the time to collect old family photos and make a digital photo gallery to send family in faraway places.
Add in some funny comments and make it a sort of picture storybook. You'll be the star of the next family reunion!
Play Board Games Online
Thanks to the internet, you don't need other people to play your favorite board games anymore! So, if you're alone and bored at home, go online and search for some classic favorites available online.
It will make you nostalgic, but it will keep you entertained for hours. Just like it did in the old days.
Learn How to Quilt
We know this sounds like an activity for your dear old grandmother, but we assure you, once you get into it, you'll just want to learn more. Quilting is not only extremely creative, it is also very therapeutic, much like knitting. And yes, it takes some practice, but the results will be well worth it. So get crazy with colors and patterns and let your imagination run wild!
There are thousands of simple, online tutorials for beginners that will help you get the hang of it in no time!
Ask All of Your Questions to Quora
This is one of those things you always keep trying to remember to do and never do. So, now that you finally have some free time to be bored around the house, why not make it productive and finally get those questions answered?
Write down any questions that you ever had or have, no matter how outrageous they might seem, go on Quora and ask away! At the very least you'll be entertained for hours reading other people's questions.
Make a ‘Time Capsule’ Box with Old Photos and Memorabilia
Yes, by 'time capsule' box we mean those shoeboxes used by coming-of-age 90s movie characters when they were kids. The ones with old toys and Polaroids that you buried in the ground and dug up years later to 'travel back in time'. So why not do one as an adult and dig it up in another 20 years?
What would you put in a 'time capsule' box if you were to do it today?
Save Your Favorite Instagram Photos and Turn Them into Canvas Prints
Instagram is like a DIY art library, so it only makes sense that you would choose your favorite art to take home.
Go to your Instagram photos, save those stunning ones you love and turn them into canvas prints to decorate your walls!
Redesign Your Mugs with a Sharpie
There are countless ways to beautifully redesign a mug, but if you don't feel like looking for the acrylic paint and the brushes, and pulling out all the stops, there's a much simpler way to go about it. Just look for a sharpie!
Chose a color, make the mug your drawing canvas and let your imagination run wild!
Check Out What’s New in the App World
Whether you're an android or an iPhone person, there's always something new in the app store.
Look for the most popular new app on the market and give it a try. Who knows, maybe you'll accidentally come across the next candy crush!
Bookmark Favorite Recipes Online
It is incredibly annoying to find an amazing recipe by chance online, only to accidentally close the tab and never find it again.
So, now that you have some time at home, take the time to find some new recipes you like and bookmark them for a rainy day!
Paint Old Mason Jars and Make Chic Deco Containers
Take a trip to your kitchen and look for any old glass jars you might have lying around. Get some spray paint and turn them into cute, chic containers to decorate your home!
You can use them as candle holders, little flower vases, or simply a fancy place to put your keys.
Sort Out Stuff to Give Away
We know it can be hard to finally decide to give away that favorite top you got 5 years ago but don't ever really wear anymore. Or that shelf decoration your aunt gave you but you never really liked. But alas, you must, and there's no better time than the present, so start sorting through your stuff and make a list of who you want to give it to.
Think of friends, family, neighbors, the dog walker. Someone is bound to like that tie-dye top.
Experiment with Cocktail Recipes
What can go wrong with cocktails? Even if it doesn't turn out like the recipe said, you're still going to drink it, because it's still going to taste wonderful.
You can even get creative and experiment with your own recipe - think of ingredients that go well with a certain type of alcohol and voila!
Bake Cookies
No need to be Martha Stewart. Even if you burn the first batch, the next one is bound to be better. Just chose a simple recipe for oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies (or whatever you're in the mood for) and get baking!
And if you manage to not eat all of them, you can give some to family or friends next time you visit.
Play Old Favorite Video Games
Pull out your old Nintendo 64, PlayStation, or Atari (if you're really old school), and brush up on your gaming skills. Go back to a simpler time, when playing Mario Kart, Zelda, and 007 was what you looked forward to after getting home from school.
Not only will you get happily nostalgic, you'll have so much fun you'll ask yourself why you ever stopped playing in the first place.
Listen to Radio
Remember radio? What did we use to listen to before iTunes and YouTube came along? Well, we've got news for you, there are still some excellent radio stations out there that are definitely worth a listen.
From interesting talk shows to old songs you haven't heard in years (but still remember the lyrics to), radio has a myriad of things to offer. Tune in to NPR next time you're walking around the house. You won't regret it.
Meditate
Meditation might not come easy the first time you try it, but it's definitely worth the effort.
Pick a quiet spot in your home, grab a mat or pillow, and find a comfortable position to sit or lie in. Close your eyes and take five deep breaths. Let your thoughts go where they may, and if they go to an uncomfortable place, try to focus and bring them back to a simple thought. Repeat.
Maintain Your Computer
Our trusty laptops always have our back, so we should extend them the same courtesy and run regular diagnostic check-ups. There's no better time to do this than when you're bored at home, so take out your beloved electronic pal and start running maintenance tasks.
If you're not sure how, just look up 'DIY computer diagnostic, clean up and maintenance' online. Your computer will be very grateful.
Take Online Quizzes
Whether it's a relationship quiz, a health questionnaire, a trivia game, or an online personality test, there's an online quiz for everybody.
Find one that suits you and start ticking boxes!
Go Window Shopping...Online
Remember when you used to go window shopping at the mall? Why not try out the digital version? With the thousands of shopping websites available today, it's a miracle shopping malls still exist. The good news is, if you're stuck at home all you have to do is go to Amazon, eBay, Wish, or any of the other millions of sites, and you can do some window shopping from the comfort of your own couch.
And don't worry about buying everything under the sun, the endless checkout steps are an effective deterrent for actually buying anything.
Make a Sock Puppet
Although this may seem ridiculous at first, just do it. Trust us. If even for the laugh you're going to have when you realize you have an old sock in your hand with buttons for eyes. Sock puppets are fun, hilarious, and free. So leave your pride aside, grab an old sock and some loose odds and ends lying around the house (preferably buttons, or things shaped like eyes or noses, strings for a mouth) and make a sock puppet!
For extra fun, film yourself doing a puppet voice. And then don't forget to delete it.
Check Out What’s New on Netflix and Amazon
The streaming giants are never low on content, and there's always something new to check out. Log into Netflix or Amazon to see what's new on the menu; whether it's an award-winning TV series, a classic film, a shocking documentary or some light cartoons, you're bound to find something.
And we probably don't need to tell you that there's no faster way of passing the time than some quality binge-watching.
Review Your Favorite Books
We all have that book, or books, that changed our lives. But somehow, we always forget to tell everybody else how mind-blowing they are!
If you have time to spare, take a second to go online and give your favorite books a nice, comprehensive review.