Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all found ourselves in the unique position of having to spend an unprecedented amount of time in our quarantine caves. For many of us, that means that we’ve watched Netflix in its entirety as we’ve binge watched ourselves into a complete vegetative state of mindless bliss. For others it could mean an era of self improvement.
Some folks are eating more greens than they ever thought possible, while they pair that with a healthy regimen of at-home workouts. And then there are the people out there that still haven’t hit their stride. They’re still looking for that newfound hobby, that book series, that effective way to unplug from the stresses of this reality, while keeping busy at the same time.
The good news, folks, is that there are plenty of ways to keep busy. It all boils down to shaking up the routine and introducing new activities you can play around with, to put the color back in your quarantine life. Let’s take a look at five things you can do to keep yourself busy, and temporarily forget that you’re living through a historically difficult pandemic.
1. Get cooking!
Most of us are doing what we can to avoid having to leave our homes, and that often translates to assessing the pantry or fridge, and cooking up homemade meals — but it hasn’t always gone well. It turns out that we were kidding ourselves into thinking we knew a thing or two about cooking, while in reality we were eating out for most of our meals.
Things used to be very different, and those commutes of the olden times left some of us in situations where we were getting home far too late to muster up the energy to cook a decent meal. Nowadays though, the commute life is a rarity, if it’s happening at all. Thus, we have all the more reason to teach ourselves how to cook better. Just make sure you start small, and take the process in baby steps. You’re not trying to impress Gordon Ramsay right off the bat. One moment you’ll be reading up on the logistics of how to dispose of used cooking oil. The next moment, you’ll be singing your own praises while you get lost in the complex sea of intoxicating flavors that your Orecchiette with broccoli delivers.
2. Make some photo albums.
The COVID-19 lockdown requirements have offered so many of us the unique experience of being able to reflect on all the days and beautiful moments that have passed us by. We can get so caught up in the frantic rush of our professional lives, and dashing from point A to point B as fast as we can, that we forget to stop and smell the roses. We forget to honor those special moments that filled our lives with joy.
Nostalgia can be a wonderful thing, so why not comb through those photos you’ve accumulated on your phone, or your camera, and put together some photo albums? You’ve certainly got the time. Maybe you even have a broken phone lying around that you just know has some special pictures on it, even though you’ve had a new device for ages. You could even get resourceful and teach yourself the best way how to retrieve photos from a broken phone. Before you know it, you’ll be in download mode, getting old pics from your broken iPhone or Samsung device and putting the finishing touches on a photo album that’s got you reliving the magical family vacation you never thought you’d be able to see pictures of again.
3. Expand your liquor collection.
Many folks aren’t in any rush to knock back drinks at their local watering hole. The pandemic has inspired many of us to imbibe our favorite alcoholic beverages from the safe and cozy confines of our respective homes. With that being said, it’s important to remember that variety is the spice of life.
What might’ve been a smooth and enjoyable series of weeks or months, drinking your favorite beers or whiskies, has potentially evolved into a scenario where you’re missing those fun cocktails you’d only ever get when you went out. Well, there’s no reason why you can’t start whipping those up from your home. You’ve just got to take that first, safe step toward your liquor store. From there, you’ll be able to snag the garnishes, the bitters, the spiced rum, or aged whiskey that you need to put together that magical cocktail your tastebuds are longing for.
4. Get lost in some engaging online reads.
Reading is a wonderful way to soak up those hours when it seems like time itself has stopping chugging along altogether. Not only that, but it’s a great practice in honing your concentration, and expanding upon your vocabulary. If you’re looking for a solid place to start, check out some of Samuel Ramey‘s recent writing. Ramey’s articles cover everything from managing unexpected expenses, to breaking down the reasons that sleep is crucial for the world’s business leaders. You might just walk away with a newfound passion for embracing your inner entrepreneurial side, and you’ll definitely learn a lot about foreign markets, the U.S. Department of Commerce, how to calculate startup costs for a new business. Get ready to be savvy.
5. Kickstart your own import/export business.
Nothing quite preoccupies the mind and fills one’s senses with overwhelming joy like starting a new business. We all live in a beautiful era of innovation and opportunity. With the right attitude and tools at our disposal we can create businesses from scratch without ever having to leave the comfort of our homes.
Take a moment to consider whether or not now is the perfect time for you to finally start up with that import/export business you’ve always toyed around with. Just make sure you do all the necessary research beforehand on how to start an import/export business from home. Once you’ve taken care of that homework though, the world is truly your oyster. Who knows how many exciting new business ventures will emerge from this difficult time. You can always check out some more of Samuel Ramey’s business tips if you’re starting an import/export business as well. There’s always a silver lining buried in there somewhere!
Especially during a global pandemic, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of negative thinking and hopelessness. When you do, it becomes that much harder to will yourself into a state of optimism, and grab hold of that passion that can lead you to a place where you’re suddenly running an import/export business International business from your home, learning more about international trade, cooking delicious eats (while disposing of cooking oil if you’re deep frying, of course, or enjoying the pictures you’ve downloaded from your broken iPhone. Just keep your chin up, consider giving any of these a try, and remember that this difficult time too shall pass.