Stuck at Home: A guide to all things fun, crafty, and delicious!

Social distancing, stay-at-home, and washing your nasty hands for the minimum 20 seconds or more! Welcome to the coronavirus era, a moment that will be written into history books and told by grandparents all over the world someday! All joking aside, how crazy has everything been these last few months? In my most recent blog post I talked all about what my life has looked like in quarantine, (you should go check it out if you missed it) and now I’m bringing you guys a list of some things you can do if your bored. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this post. I’ve got a special message at the end so STAY TUNED!! Before we get started, I’d like to pause and give credit to the content creators that I’ve linked below! Thanks for making awesome content for me to recommend! Okay….back to the post! Enjoy.

1. Journal

Here’s the key to superior journaling: All your doing is writing down your feelings. It can be a wonderful way to spend time with yourself in a quiet space and makes it easy to analyze situations. Sitting down at night with my journal allows me to unpack my day one step at a time and document my feelings, thus giving me the opportunity to respond to them rather than react. To make the whole experience more fun, consider starting an online journal this can be done in writing tools such as Microsoft Word & Evernote!

2. Start a Blog

Want to tell people what you’ve been up to in quarantine? Want to give tips & tricks for social-distancing? Or do you simply want to connect with other people? Then consider starting a blog and tell people all about it! There are so many websites out there where you can create one and get started, but creating a blog isn’t as easy as a click of the button! Check out my blog post on blogging for some tips and tricks!

The Freed Sparrow Blogging Tips: https://freedsparrow.com/2020/01/24/one-year-of-blogging-what-ive-learned-up-to-now/

3. Bake

Sweets, sweets, and more sweets! You can make cakes, cupcakes, tarts, muffins, and so much more with a simple Google search! You can find most ingredients in your pantry or fridge at home! Remember the key to baking: patience, patience, and a awesome recipe!

Here are a few I’ve been loving:

Cookie dough Chocolate cups: http://www.sweetestmenu.com/blog/cookie-dough-chocolate-cups#_a5y_p=4654277

Easy Pumpkin Bread: https://youtu.be/uq0_VPuz-xs

4. Cook something delicious!!

Who cares if your good at cooking or not! Cooking relates heavily to baking! There isn’t a magical power that only chef’s possess, but what they do have are good recipes! Don’t get discouraged, guys! Play in the kitchen and discover your inner chef!

Recipes I’ve been loving:

Creamy Garlic Tuscan Salmon with Spinach & Sun-dried Tomatoes:

https://www.eatwell101.com/creamy-garlic-tuscan-salmon-recipe

Zuchini Lasagna: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/zucchini-lasagna/

Note: Of course, being vegetarian/pescatarian I subbed the ground beef used in this recipe with more vegetables like spinach, artichoke, and sun-dried tomatoes. You can also replace the beef with salmon, clams, or plant-based substitutions that you fancy!

5. Arts & Crafts

I’m currently painting a denim tapestry I sewed together using my Dad and I’s worn-out jeans, and I plan on hanging it on my wall later! Arts and crafts isn’t just something to entertain kids with! Grown adults should get their hands dirty with paint and their imagination! If you’ve got spare paint lying around, get craft! YouTube has tons of videos to help you out if your into acrylics, watercolors, knitting and crocheting, and pottery!

6. Redecorate your Living Space

Redecorating is so fun! Especially when you’ve got nothing else to do and you can actually take your time to do it right! I’ve changed up my bedroom more times than I can count! Plus, there are so many benefits to changing up your environment! For example, giving your bedroom a simple face lift can totally change up the vibes of your room and even help you sleep better!

7. Read a Book

Shameless plug! Guys, if your looking to sit back and relax with a new book, go check out my post for rad suggestions! The Introverts Bookcase is a continuous online bookstore of sorts where I tell you all about my latest reads and give you reviews on each book! Link below:

The Introverts Bookcase: https://freedsparrow.com/2019/08/16/the-introverts-bookcase/

8. Try out a new hairstyle

Shave your head, dye your hair, or give yourself a haircut! It’s fine, no one is going to see you for a while so you might as well live out your craziest hair dreams while you can!

9. Create an obstacle course

Take the pillows off the couch! Get some rope from the garage! Make yourself an adult or kid-friendly obstacle course around your home! This idea is so fun and you’ll definitely have a ton of laughs with your family! But be sure to be safe please!

10. Netflix

I might as well be a Netflix spokeswoman by the end of this quarantine! Netflix has really been releasing some awesome movies, TV shows, and documentaries in the last few months! But if you can’t afford Netflix, no worries! HBO is streaming classic shows for a limited time for #STAYHOMEBOXOFFICE like “The Sopranos” and kids movies like “Pokemon” and “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.” And guess what, it’s free but only for a limited time so go check it out!

11. Start a business

Are you a fan of making baby booties for kittens and it’s been your dream to start an Etsy shop? Do it! Take the leap and start your empire darling!

12. Play with makeup

Try some funky makeup looks you wouldn’t normally do! Hey, you might find a look you love and make it your go to!

13. Start an online challenge

Even though, I am a hater of all things relating to social media challenges simply for their obnoxiousness, getting famous online just might be your thing!

14. Play board games

Monopoly, Clue, and so much more! Board games are great for a nice family activity or by yourself! Dust off your old board games and have some fun!

15. Have dance competition

No one cares if you can’t dance Karen! That’s the point! Be silly, shake your booty, and have a laugh while your at it!

16. Mattress slide

DISCLAIMER: Guys, this does have the chance of being dangerous, especially if you have narrow stairs! So, if you try this one please be careful because no one needs to be driving like speed demon to the hospital! But if you want to live dangerously, be sure to have some extra padding like pillows and lots of duck tape!

17. Sew

Make a dress! Make a skirt! I don’t know, just do whatever your little heart desires because sewing is a pretty cool skill to learn! Trust me, it comes in handy at one way or another!

18. Write a book

You don’t have to write a novel! It could be a short story about an invisible boy, or a girl who gets turned into a tree! Use your imagination!

19. Mediate

Let’s take a breathe together. In and out…there we go! I’ve talked about meditation numerous times before. In short, it’s awesome!

Here’s what I’ve been mediating too:

1. Abundance mediation: https://youtu.be/kC6so_Z5mGg

2. Manifestation meditation: https://youtu.be/NVPrxcR_RZI

3. A quick 5 minute mediation: https://youtu.be/inpok4MKVLM

20. Play with Snapchat

This is pretty much self explanatory! Play with some filters if your bored!

21. Facetime a friend

Zoom, Skype, Facetime we’ve done it all! A cool thing you can do with your friends is having a Zoom dance party! Pump your favorite jams and dance your hearts out!

22. Go to a Virtual Museum

Guess what! I’m visiting the Louvre Museum tomorrow…from the comfort of my bed! Yes, you now get the chance to go to your favorite museums online! Check out the link down below!

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/travel/a31784720/best-virtual-tours/

23. Go to virtual Disney World

Virtual Disney? Um, yes please!!! Link down below for all you fellow Mickey Mouse lovers!

Disney Rides: https://www.simplemost.com/virtually-ride-disney-attractions/

24. Upload a song to SoundCloud

If music is your thing, share it with others!

25. Create a Podcast

Want to start a conversation about gardening? Or maybe your more into the adventures of aliens traveling the galaxy! Whatever it may be, someone out there loves it and wants someone like you to keep the conversation going! So, start a podcast! Express yourself!

26. Garden

Grow something beautiful! Who knows, you might find a new hobby?

27. Play with a pet

Because pets make everything better, duhhhh!

28. Toilet paper fashion show

Here’s a cool thing for all you toilet paper hoarders out there! Have a fashion show with all the rolls you decided to take from the general public…I’m not salty one bit. (I’m joking if you can’t tell! Please don’t waste perfectly good toilet paper that you may need! But if you have extra, spare a couple for your neighbor dudes.)

29. Learn something new

Websites like Skillshare and CreativeLive have tons of classes that you can take at a simple click of a button! Educate yourself instead of mindlessly watching TV!

30. Nostalgic Day

Go back in time and watch movies you watched as a kid, listen to music you grew up with, or look at old baby photos! Take a trip into the past!

31. Find a way to spread the love

The world is going to needs a lot of love right now, but we’re going to need a whole lot more when all of this is over! Try to find ways you can spread the love to your community! Plan a cookout or a movie night with your neighbors!

32. Get into gaming

Multiplayer gaming is a fun way to connect with people all over the world who are into the same things as you!

33. Workout

YouTube, YouTube, and YouTube! There are numerous amount of free workouts online right now, it’s bananas! Tune into one and show yourself some self love!

34. Make Skincare

Anyone here for a mid-day pamper session! I am! Check out Pinterest for some cool DIY skincare that you can create with your two hands!

35. Make a donation box

There are a lot of people who are have already lost so much during this time and it would be awesome if they knew people were there to help! Consider staring a donation box filled with good things you no longer use and dropping it off at your local thrift store or Goodwill! Who knows, you may be someone’s secret blessing!

36. Beat your highscore

My little siblings have be addicted to Disney Crossyroad! Don’t judge me!

37. Clean your house

Marie Kondo anyone? Check out her book on Amazon or her Netflix series! I watched it last year and got started immediately after! Dudes, I hate cleaning but somehow my somehow she made it look so awesome! Mind games guys!

38. Paint your room

I’m challenging you to finger paint your whole room, now! Or use a brush if that’s more your speed! Anyways, go give your room a new look with a fresh coat of paint!

40. Spend time with family/friends

I saved the best for last! Now, please practice social distancing whilst hanging out with friends! I know it’s hard staying at home but it truly is for the good of everyone around you. So, please stick to Zoom for now guys!

Quarantine: Kids Edition!!!

Here’s a list for anyone stuck in the house with bored kids! Have fun!

1. Go cloud watching in the backyard

2. Have a water balloon fight

3. Kids Yoga

4. Make slime

5. Bake yummy treats

6. Learn a new language together

7. Have a pillow fight

8. Arts & Crafts

10. Introduce them to your childhood

11. Make jewlery out of pasta & vegetables

12. Teach kids how to cook

13. Coloring Party

14. Play a board game

15. Watching movies together

Alright, that’s all I got for you guys! I hope that you all enjoyed this post and if you end up doing one of these activities, let me know! Leave a comment below telling me which one you did! Now, on the more serious side there are a lot of people stuck at home by themselves, and it can take a toll on people’s mental health. Listed below are hotlines you can call if your feeling down and need to talk to someone. Stay safe out there and WASH YOUR HANDS! See you next Friday!

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention: 800-931-2237

National Help Line for Substance Abuse: 800-262-2463