Today’s blog post is all about social distancing activities! I’m really trying to embrace the social distancing right now and RIGHT AWAY. I’m not happy that my spin studio is closed, or that I literally can’t work for 2 weeks, but I’m trying to think of some positives to this whole “social distancing” thing! It’s so important to do this for the betterment of the country, and I am glad to stay home if it means that less people need to die during this pandemic.
I started compiling lists in my head of things I’ve been meaning to do over the past few months, and things that I now have time to do because of social distancing. So here’s a list of some social distancing activities and things to do at home during this time! I also asked for some suggestions from you via Instagram. Got a lot of the same things (workouts at home, reading, blogging, Netflix) but shared some fun things here so have fun reading!
Read.
Obviously, if you know me and this blog, you know how much I love to read! I am actually super far behind my reading goal right now so I’m excited to catch up over the next few weeks. I even joked to Ryan, “maybe I can read a book a day?” It definitely seems possible right now so I’m excited to get some good books done!
Since most libraries around me are now closed, I’d recommend looking for books through Kindle or your local library’s app for downloading digital content. For my library, it’s called Libby. You can also buy books from your local indie bookstore before things get too crazy and more businesses are shut down.
During this social isolation period, I’m thinking of reading: Where the Crawdads Sing (finally), The Gifted School, The Great Alone, Long Bright River. These books are on the longer side so I think they’ll be good to start knowing I’ll have time to finish them! Also hoping to throw in some lighter reads like In Five Years, A Good Neighborhood, and The Last Mrs. Parrish (loaned from a friend!)
Some suggestions of light-hearted books you can read to distract yourself from the state of the world: The Unhoneymooners, Red White & Royal Blue, Evvie Drake Starts Over, The Hating Game, Daisy Jones & The Six, One Day in December, Maybe In Another Life, One True Loves, The Rosie Project. You can find these and more on my Amazon Shop page! I made a special list just for COVID-19 book recs!
Start a Blog.
Nope, I’m not kidding! I started my blog over summer vacation sophomore year of college (almost 6 years ago!) when I was bored and needed a creative outlet. Another blogger I follow started hers when she fell rock climbing and was couch-ridden for weeks. If you feel like you have something to share, definitely start. The world can always read more blogs. Everyone has a different perspective and writing style!
Work on a hobby.
For me, my hobbies are mostly blogging and reading. However, I’ve gotten into a little bit of journaling/scrapbooking in my Passion Planner! I’m treating the back pages of the planner as sort of a bullet journal/reading journal type of thing. I can’t wait to show you! I definitely want to work on that more during this break.
People on social media have been really into needlepointing lately which I think is super cool. If you can get the supplies before everything closes down, I definitely think that could be a cool hobby to start! Also any kind of knitting/crocheting would be fun to do also.
Other hobbies could be painting, drawing, coloring, playing instruments, gardening, the list goes on and on! If you’re looking for some coloring pages you can print at home, I highly suggest these Zentangle ones! They’re perfect for adult coloring because they’re a little more intricate and they’re so relaxing to do!
Move your body.
It is getting warmer over here in southeastern PA, so getting outside to run/walk/move around isn’t impossible. But you could also look up online workouts through YouTube or Instagram! My studio has been posting workouts on IGTV that are easy to follow along with. I’m not trying to be a couch potato over these next few weeks, so getting outside to walk around at least once a day is so important!
Suggestions I got from readers: Yoga with Adriene
Spring cleaning and organize.
Now is the time for spring cleaning! Go through your wardrobe and donate anything you don’t need. Go through your cabinets and donate. Clean up your bookshelves. Your shoes. Leave no stone left unturned! Now is the best time to get organized and refresh your home.
Some suggestions I got from readers: cleaning room, cleaning baseboards, organizing, cleaning out closets, house chores
Games and puzzles.
Ryan and I finished a 1,000 piece puzzle a few weeks ago that literally took us days! Puzzles are an awesome source of entertainment. You can watch Netflix while working on them, listen to an audiobook or podcast together, they’re great ways to spend your time and you’ll feel so accomplished when it’s finished!
Also: video games (Mario Kart, the Sims, duh), other types of puzzles like crosswords or word searches, Sudoku, board games, card games (Ryan taught me how to play Magic The Gathering a few months ago but I definitely forgot how to play… gotta get back into it)
Cook meals at home.
Ryan and I have been making meals together! Now is a good time to maybe try a new recipe or make something that is a little more time-consuming but delicious! Make a day of searching for recipes together and meal planning the week.
Movies and TV Shows
We have access to Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO (thanks to his parents). We are super lucky! Ryan and I are currently finishing up The Circle and started watching Schitt’s Creek. We have also been watching a movie every night! Friday night we watched Wonder on Amazon Prime (I had seen it before, he hadn’t) and last night we watched Brittany Runs a Marathon, also on Amazon Prime.
Shows we’ve already watched/finished and recommend: Love is Blind, Instant Hotel, Mindhunter, The Office, Parks and Rec, New Girl, Gilmore Girls, How I Met Your Mother, The Haunting of Hill House, That 70s Show, Stranger Things, Queer Eye, Atypical, Stay Here, Cheer.
Self Care.
Take this time as an opportunity to love on yourself a little extra! Take a relaxing bath, paint your nails, do a face mask! Treat yourself to as many naps as you need. Sleep in, stay up late… whatever your heart desires!
I really hope you enjoyed this blog post full of social distancing activities! Let me know how you’re staying sane during social distancing. Remember to leave a comment or emoji reaction when you’ve finished a post so I know you’re following along! I’m so excited to have more time to write and I’m so much more motivated when I know you’re reading my posts.
