Stuck at Home? 40 New Things You Can Learn to Keep Busy/Make Use of Time/Not Get Bored
With the recent coronavirus outbreak, a lot of people all over the world are in isolation. And, being isolated for several days or weeks isn’t the easiest thing. Running out of things to do can make you insane — yes, we know how that feels!
The key is to keep yourself as busy as you can. But how? Here are some of the things that you can do to keep yourself busy and not get bored during these days:
Table of Contents
1. Learn a New Language
As a teacher, learning a new language is a great help most especially when you have plans of teaching foreign students online. It is also a great way to expand your knowledge and add a new set of skills to your list.
If you don’t know where to find language apps, our comprehensive directory of digital tools and apps might be of help.
2. Do a Short Online Course
Learning is a continuous process. Enrolling on a short online course during these days is a strategic move to learn something new or refresh what you already have learned. Maybe, it’s time to get yourself updated with the trends nowadays.
Alternatively, you can make your very own online course. Check our guide The Ultimate Guide To Making And Editing Educational Videos For Teachers.
3. Try a New Craft
A lot of new crafts are waiting for you to give it a try. If you don’t know how to finger knit, then this might be the perfect time to learn how to do it. Other crafts that you can learn include soap making, painting, resin art, crochet, sewing, papercraft, and so much more. You can even teach the new craft that you will learn to your learners soon.
4. Try an Exercise Video
Teaching takes a lot of time that you can’t even have the time to exercise. But now you have the time to do it. Following a video exercise is a fun way to burn fats even in the comforts of your home.
5. Play Video Games
There are a lot of new video games that you can learn and have fun. Learning these video games will help you relate to what most students are into nowadays.
6. Blog or Vlog About Your Recent Experience
Try writing or doing a video about the things that you do during the isolation. This is a great way to spend your time and get connected with other people. Doing so will also help others keep track of what you are doing and get an idea of what they can do too.
7. Write a Poem or Story
Perhaps, this is the best time to bring out Shakespeare in you. Try writing a poem or story of anything that interests you. This is also a good way to pour out all your emotions that you’ve been keeping all this time.
8. Read a Book
You might have a few books you haven’t read yet with the load that you have as a teacher. Well, this is the best time to open the book again and continue reading. If the book is good enough, you can share it with your learners, too when classes resume.
9. Have a Movie Marathon
Prepare your favorite snack and wear your most comfortable dress, a PJ, maybe and choose what movie you want to watch first. There are a lot of beautiful movies now that you can watch and reflect on.
10. Upcycle Something in your House
Given how busy you are, you might have noticed everything in your house. Choose a specific thing in your house and give it a makeover. You can make it more interesting by painting it or reupholstering it if you can.
11. Try Meditation
Teaching can be very draining and meditation is a good way to relax and unwind. If you don’t have any idea how to do so, you can search online for guides on how to meditate.
12. Create a New Dance
Regardless of your age, creating a new dance is something fun and exciting and you get exercise as well. You can even give TikTok a try if you want. If you don’t know it yet, TikTok is an application that you can use to try out different scenes, dances, or songs.
13. Listen to an Audio Book
If you are not into reading but want to learn something new and are looking for something to entertain you, listening to an audiobook is one of the best ways to do so. Listening to a new book is relaxing as well.
14. Play Board Games
If you have others with you, playing board games is an excellent way to keep others and yourself busy. With this, you are having fun and bonding with your family, too.
15. Level Up a Piece of Clothing
It’s time to bring out the clothes that you have not been using and give them a second life. Make it more interested in sting but altering its design, paint or dye it, or add decorative patches to it. Just be creative but don’t overdo it as well.
16. Create Your Own Board Game
Who says you can’t have fun if you don’t have a board when you can easily create one? Creating your own board games gives you the freedom to put the concept that you really want and adjust it based on the things that you have.
17. Write Letters to your Loved Ones
With how advanced almost everything is nowadays, writing letters to your loved one is an amazing way to bring back the past. Handwritten letters never go out of style and are more personal than sending them on email or social media.
18. Declutter your Home
Use this opportunity to give your home a makeover. Declutter it to make it look cleaner and more organized. If possible, practice the minimalist lifestyle so that keeping your home organized is easier most especially when there will be classes already.
19. Pick Out the Dresses You Don’t Wear Anymore
Sure enough, you have a lot of clothes that you no longer use. You can out these clothes altogether and donate them once you can do so. This way, you have cleaned your closet and have helped others at the same time.
20. Make a Scrapbook
There’s no better way to preserve unforgettable moments through images on a scrapbook. Scrapbooks aren’t just about the last but are also a good way to plan the future. So, try going one and inspire your learners to do the same too.
21. Put your Favorite Music and Dance To It
Play your favorite music which makes you wanna dance non stop and ask your family to dance with you. Be happy and free around your family. Destress from the problems that you’ve been having nowadays.
22. Teach Your Pet a New Trick
If you have a pet, you could teach him a new trick to show off. Who says etching us for humans only? You can make your pet your ‘students’ too. And, it is fun!
23. Make Handmade Gifts for all of Your Family and Friends
If you have enough resources, then you could start making just for your family and friends for their upcoming special events like birthdays and anniversaries. There is no such thing as giving them a gift you personally made. Making a handmade gift is fun to do and radiates a more personal touch as well.
24. Colour In
There are coloring books for adults that you can try when in isolation. This is a relaxing and fun activity that develops control as well. You can also learn how to blend in colors with these coloring books.
25. Have a Pamper Day
Pampering yourself after all the hard work that you have done doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go into a spa. You can do it at home simply by doing a facial treatment or routine, using a face mask, taking a long bath, conditioning your hair, and so much more.
26. Make a list of the Positive Things in Your Life
This is a good way to remind yourself that you are blessed regardless of everything you do. This will also keep you motivated to continue what you are doing.
27. Plan a Holiday Vacation
Teachers need to unwind every now and then with all the pressure that is given to them. So, planning your next holiday vacation is a good start. You can simply look for beautiful places that you want to go to. You can also check out rates and all for you to know how much you will need for a certain place.
28. Set Goals for the Rest of the Year
Still haven’t decided on the things that you want to work on with this year? Well, you now have all the time you need to do so. Set your goals and watch yourself achieve it little by little. Setting your goal is very important since it gives you the direction and a heads up on what you lie ahead.
29. Call People you Haven’t Spoken too
You might have long lost friends or relatives that you haven’t talked for a while because of your schedule. Why not give them a call now and ask them how is everything going, right? Catch up with them and share to them what you’ve been through during the times that they weren’t around.
30. Learn How to Set Up an Online Class
If you want to maximize what technology has to offer, try setting up an online classroom where you and your students can learn. There are a lot of online teaching platforms that you can use to make things easier for you. You can even use the kids’ app to keep your kids entertained as well.
31. Try Video Editing
One of the most in-demand skills today even in teaching is video editing. Learning how to edit a video is very helpful to you most especially when you are teaching online. You could make your class more interesting and engaging with this.
32. Join an Online Book Club
Books are your friends and it would be good if you join an online book club where you can share and know excellent books to read. You can discuss with your fellow members’ books that are entertaining and worth reading.
Ask in our Community Forum to get recommendations for the best books out there!
33. Listen to a New Podcast
If you haven’t tried listening to a podcast yet, then this is a good treat for you when in isolation. There are a lot of beautiful podcasts that you can listen to ease boredom. It’s as relaxing as listening to a local radio station except that it is more digital.
34. Update your Resume
You might not be looking for a new job but, updating your resume is as important as other things. Make sure that your resume is up to date by adding your recent accomplishments. This way, you won’t miss anything important that needs to be added to your resume.
35. Learn the Army Alphabet
If you have been so curious about the Army Alphabet all this time, then why not try learning it now? The Army Alphabet is also known as the NATO phonetic alphabet. You can just search online what it is and start from there.
36. Figure Out a Way to Make More Money
There are a few good things that you can do to earn while in isolation. Look for gigs online that you can do in the meantime. If a part-time online teaching position is up for grab, then don’t miss the chance.
37. Write Online Reviews
As a teacher, writing reviews is one of your fortes. Help consumers online about the best buys and all of the products or services that you already have tried. With this, you are helping other people and the company knows the real and practicing your communication skills at the same time.
38. Create a Photo Collage
Get your album and choose photos that mean a lot to you. Put them all together into one amazing collage which you can display at your house. Be as creative as you can and make sure that you are putting it into something sturdy.
39. Surf Articles on the Internet that Interest You
Reading doesn’t end with books and other printed materials. There are a lot of articles online that you can choose from. Browse some of them and look for something that you want to read or something where you can learn a lot of things.
40. Learn to Play a Musical Instrument
Maybe, you have been wanting to learn how to play a musical instrument before but you are so busy teaching that you actually have not learned anything up until today. Get that musical instrument that you want to learn how to play and watch some video tutorials on how to do it.
Conclusion
There are a lot of new things waiting for you to learn this time. Take this opportunity to venture into things you haven’t tried before or enrich what you already know. Make every second worthwhile by doing activities that will develop you more as a teacher.
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