Hello friends! CONGRATS on finishing up (or almost finishing up) the school year! It’s pretty crazy to me that for my peers and I, we just wrapped up freshman year of college. Definitely bittersweet.
I started writing a post for “Ideas for What to Do While at Home!” over a month ago, but decided I’d adjust it for summer ideas now. :) So here are some ideas for what to do as we continue practicing physical distancing! Whether you find yourself quite bored and looking for something to do or are just curious and excited to potentially start a new project, here are some ideas! :)
1. Make a list of things you want to do! :) Fun things, habits you want to build (accountability buddy? tracker?), things you want to do! :) Reflect on the person you want to be! :)
2. Take a free course on coursera? I spent way too much time the other day browsing! SO many cool free courses! Ask a friend to take one together? Thinking of taking a coding class. :)
3. Reach out to organizations that seem cool to see if they need help! I think especially now people probably could use help, and if you don’t need to be paid I think many might be interested in your help! Who know’s what ya might learn? :P Or apply for a job if you’re looking to make some money and support the family. :)
4. BABY PHOTOS: Okay some more silly, quirky, fun things! :P Look through old baby photos! I totally spent like two and a half hours one day just digging through our old photos, and it brought back so many memories and emotions. Would recommend. :)
5. WORKOUT ~VIRTUALLY~ WITH FRIENDS: Do an at-home workout with a friend! Grace and I have worked out through facetime and it has always been so nice to chat and be active together! Also gotta keep those immune systems strong ya know? Please stay active somehow friends! :) Take care of yourself! :) (There are SO many amazing plans, from Youtube videos to plans you can find online! I personally bought Mari Fitness’ at-home guide which is on sale right now for $10 at https://marieasyfitness.com).
6. JOGS AND WALKS IN NATURE: Go on a jog or walk (with caution)! When I first came home, I did a Murph challenge with my friend which involved jogging two miles each day, and it was so, so nice. It’s been so good to just catch some fresh air and MOVE rather than sitting on my bum all day. I would highly recommend going on a jog or walk with family or just by yourself (or you can call a friend)! Definitely be careful in keeping at least six feet away from people though (but do smile and say hello to all of your beautiful neighbors!).
7. LEARN: Learn something you’ve always wanted to learn! Have you always wanted to learn how to cook? Play guitar? Make origami? Well, now would be a great time. :) No better time than the present, especially now! I know I want to work more on my guitar skills (we learning:)).
8. COOK/BAKE: My brother and I have been cooking more! I actually committed to cooking a meal everyday this summer, and it’s been so good! I think it’s helped me connect more to the food I eat and it’s oddly peaceful and nice cooking. :) Excited to improve my cooking skills!
9. USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR GOOD: Maybe post an uplifting post, or something you’re doing that’s been a blessing for you! :) Or do one of those funky challenges that everyone’s doing or even create one?
10. TIKTOK: Must admit, tiktok is kind of fun and can be a good workout. So maybe entertain yourself with a lil’ bit—but not too much now. :)
11. SPONTANEOUS CALLS: I am SO here for spontaneous calls. Spontaneously call/video chat your friends and check in on them! :)
12. REACH OUT: If you have some spare time and you’re just sitting, pondering what you might do, why not reach out to someone and check in on how they’re doing? Make sure they’re safe and doing okay and ask if there’s any way you can support them maybe! :)
13. WRITE GRATITUDE LETTERS: Write gratitude letters to friends, mentors, family, etc.! Will brighten someone else’s day and your own! ;) Practice gratitude! See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHv6vTKD6lg (We had to do this in GRIT Lab, a class I took with Dr. Angela Duckworth, and right after I wrote mine I told myself I wanted to write more so hopefully I take advantage of this summer to!:))
14. READ: I LOVE READING! I’ve always wanted to read more, and really want to take advantage of this time to read more. :) Currently reading:
Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out and Lonely by Lysa Terkeurst
Coronavirus and Christ by John Piper
Killjoys: The Seven Deadly Sins (Editor: Marshall Segal)
Becoming by Michelle Obama
15. WRITE! REFLECT! GET CREATIVE: Write down your thoughts and reflect on things you’ve learned and how you’re feeling! :) Maybe start a blog?? Or Youtube channel?? I think writing down our experiences and checking in is so nice because YAY REFLECTING and because we can look back in the future. :) (OOOO maybe a scrapbook!? Video highlighting ya year?:))
16. START SOMETHING: On that note, start something with a friend, with peeps? A food instagram, a company that helps others out? :) Honestly quite excited to see what comes out of this time (silver linings).
17. DANCE: Why not learn a new dance? Just search something up on Youtube or make one on your own! :) Currently learning a dance to the song Adore You by Harry Styles (really have got to get back to this!).
18. DEEP CLEAN YOUR ROOM: I don’t know about you, but this whole situation has reminded me of how materialistic I can be. Since I had to skrt from college and couldn’t bring everything, I ended up leaving a lot of stuff there. I then came home and realized I had even more clothing at home… that I never wear. It made me feel pretty gross and I wanted to CHANGE. So the first couple of days when I came back, I cleaned. And cleaned. I took out clothing I don’t wear or don’t want and now not only is my room simpler, but so is my head as I spend much time in my room. Why not take this time to sort through your room and see what you can give away or donate or store away for now? ALSO MAYBE DEEP CLEAN YA HOUSE! ;) Help ya family out.
19. ORDER SOME FOOD: If you’re really bored and realizing your fridge is starting to get a bit empty, maybe go to Costco’s website or a different site and order some food? And let’s support those who are serving and working in these ways especially now!
20. SUPPORT OTHERS: There are SO many ways to go about doing this! :) Ask an elderly in your neighborhood if they need help (maybe you can order groceries for them or drop them off at their door)? At Penn students have created help funds which you can venmo to support your peers (link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIl2IcaMLrIqWTe9z2-NmEePNJZ4Z7y52UOFygkWrtRrsi8A/viewform). Support local businesses (buy gift cards to use later)? Donate to funds like UNICEF!? The ideas are endless! Just pick something to start with! :) And if you’re not in a good space to support others financially right now, you can reach out and support people spiritually, emotionally, etc.! :)
21. GET AHEAD (OR CATCH-UP) BE PRODUCTIVE: Man do I need to work on this! But why not take this time to have that “dang I got so much done” feeling. :) Get ahead on some school work or on applications or something? :) Just take your first step! Start somewhere. :) (I wrote this like a month ago so I would say ENJOY SUMMA but also like ya why not get something done that you’ve been meaning to do?)
22. FIND WAYS TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITIES: Set up zoom calls and play games like https://skribbl.io or Psych (phone app.:)) or Kahoot (get people’s baby photos and play guess that baby??), etc. Serve your Church community or friends and just help people stay connected! :) SO FUN! :P
23. READ THE NEWS: Okay, definitely no need to overdo this if it causes you a lot of stress, but it definitely is good to stay up to date! Read about the coronavirus, read about other GOOD news, read read! :) And then make sure to take a break, and take some time for you! If this whole situation is making you anxious, also know you don’t have to check the news at all times; do what works for you! Just make sure you’re taking care of yourself and others and staying informed. :)
24. TALK AND HANG OUT WITH YOUR FAMILY: WOW! What a blessing it is to be able to spend time with our families (for those of us who are at home with our families right now). I know some of us might have strained relationships with our families, but what better time to try and grow closer to our family and to grow these relationships! :) I personally didn’t know if there’d be another time where all four members of my family would be home at the same time for a long time, and here we are! Definitely want to make the most of this time by talking with my parents and brother and playing games together and growing closer!
25. START A BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS: Ask people if they want to read a book of the Bible together! :) Or a book or something! :)
26. SPEND TIME WITH GOD: Okay, so maybe this one should have come first, because this is SO IMPORTANT. :) Best for last. :) This is something I am definitely working on, but I want to spend more time with Him in prayer and in reading His word! Let’s find true rest in Him and lean more into Him and really use this time to grow closer to Him! :)
Well, thank you for tuning into this more informal post with some ideas for what to do while you’re at home! :) Sending so much love to you all!
ALSO side note but this is also a really good time to just take some time for you and yeah. I don’t want to promote this pressure of having to do something but rather just hope that we all use this time intentionally in some way. :) No stress. Love y’all.
All for the glory of God.
With love,
Joyce
Bible verse foundation: “The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
P.S. Here’s a picture of some pineapple fried rice that my brother and I made together! :)
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