Home at Last
We live in a crazy world at a crazy time. As a scary new virus threatens the health of our society, both physically and economically, most of us are stuck at home. Some of us are confined by governmental orders while others are just proactive and trying to keep safe. Social distancing is the new norm and most of us are complying. At first it was nice to be home and not have to go to school or the office, but it is getting old fast. What do we do to kill the time?
Turn of the Media
Most of us get so busy with work that we do not make enough time to spend at home with our families. Now is the time to get caught up. We are all trapped together and this can create some great memories. The first, and most important, thing to do is turn off the television and all sources of digital media. Humans survived for centuries without these creature comforts and it is time for us to remember how. We need to come up with family fun activities. These can be anything from arts and craft day to board game nights. We can experiment in the kitchen and make the meals and deserts we have always wanted too and we can go back and relive some of our childhood memories. We can tell stories about events in the past and even create a family book club to promote reading and education. Even if we want time alone we can do so without digital media. We can play solitary card games or indulge in a number of different hobbies. Finally, and most importantly, turn off the news from time to time. It is important to stay informed but if we spend all day listening to worse case scenarios we will spend too much time worrying and not enough time enjoying the moment.
Get back in Shape
Probably the most common excuse for not taking care of ourselves and working out is we do not have the time. That excuse no longer applies. We can no longer leave the home unless it is essential and this leaves us plenty of time to spare, so start improving your health today. A common misbelief is that we need equipment and tools to workout. It is true that accessories can broaden our workouts and make them more diverse but they are not necessary. Pushups, sit ups, up downs, yoga, and aerobics can all be done with no equipment at all. Additionally, we are lucky we live in a digital age and it is easy for us to find online tutorials and classes to help us. Things like yoga and other class oriented activates can be done interactively through the internet. Some of us even have fitness television channels. So now is the best time to start living a healthier life. We have the time and the need to use some energy so make a commitment and follow through. The only thing that is stopping you is yourself.
DIY Projects
All of us have some sort of home improvement project in mind. This can be as simple as painting a room or be as complicated as redoing the entire kitchen. Now is the time to get these projects done. Some of us have more trade skills then others but all of us have the capacity to learn. I admit it is a bad idea to tear out your kitchen if you do not know what you are doing so I must stress research. Go online or order books from your local library and know what you are getting into first. You can even watch home improvement television shows to get a visual lesson on how to do things. Next you need to figure out what you are comfortable with and come up with a plan of attack. It is easy to remove a toilet or sink but it is harder to properly install a new one. So make sure you follow the old carpentry rule and measure twice and cut once both figuratively and in reality. Do not attempt to take on a project without looking into at two instructional books or videos on it. Actually you shouldn’t limit yourself to just two. The more you read and research the more you will learn and you will pick up on different details every time. By doing this you will ensure you are ready to tackle the project and are prepared for things that could go wrong. You can make the home of your dreams and now is a great time to get started.
Tell Stories
We all have rich family histories and plenty of background stories, even people who do not think theirs is interesting. We are all part of some sort of family. Some of us are close with our biological family and others make families through personal relationships. The stories of our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, are unique and it is up to us to share them. In this scary time of social distancing, we have a unique opportunity to pass down our own family histories. Spend a day or even just an hour telling your children about your grandparents. Let them know what part of the world their ancestors came from and when did they migrate to America. These stories are precious and we do not spend enough time talking about them. So focus on your history, or even go as far as to create a family tree. Our history and culture is based on our past and it is our obligation to ensure the next generation knows its history. Take this unique and scary time and create some joyful memories. Our family is what got us to this point and family is what will get us through this together.