As a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, people all over the world are staying home, quarantining, and practicing social distancing as an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. While shelter-in-place orders might be removed soon, it is likely that many people will still be advised to socially distance themselves from one another.
Instead of focusing on the things you can’t do during this time, try to focus on the things you CAN do. Imagine all of the opportunities that this slower lifestyle and additional “me time” offer. Instead of sitting around worrying or feeling lonely, spend your “me” time learning new skills, pampering yourself, and reconnecting with what makes you happy.
It’s time to remind ourselves that the only way to be happy isn’t to cram our schedules with social events and spend every waking hour with other people. There are plenty of fun and fulfilling activities to do alone. Below are some great suggestions on how to have fun alone.
1. Learn Something New
Challenge yourself to learn a new skill – like how to speak a new language, play an instrument, sew, or paint, for example. Even better than that, you can learn new skills that are eco-friendly and beneficial to our planet, like learning how to compost, repair or repurpose furniture and other household items, or growing your own food.
2. Declutter
When you’re thinking of things to do while you’re alone to keep yourself amused, cleaning might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, finding time to declutter and organize your home can be both therapeutic and make you feel less stressed. Plus, since you’re going through all of your belongings, you’ll likely feel inspired to get rid of items you no longer use. This might inspire you to make careful purchasing decisions in the future to avoid clutter in your home or purchasing items that will go unused.
Decluttering also sets you up for living a more minimal lifestyle, which is of course, beneficial to the environment. Remember, another man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so be sure to donate any unwanted items! You can easily schedule a donation pick-up at http://donationtown.org/. All you have to do is enter your zip code and choose from a handful of local charities you can donate to.
3. Experiment In the Kitchen
When it comes to fun things to do alone, there are lots of ways you can get creative in the kitchen such as cooking, baking, and preserving. Try out making jam, marmalade, hot sauce or chutney, or brewing your own kombucha! You can also use your downtime to learn new healthy, vegan recipes (such as dips, salads, spreads, etc.) that don’t require cooking. This means you can eat more raw foods and save on electricity — it’s a win-win. You can head to onegreenplanet.org for some great ideas to get you started.
4. Exercise at Home
Respect social distancing guidelines by working out in the comfort of your own home. There are so many ways that you can work up a sweat without any equipment in your very own living room! If you’re already into working out, you may already know how to do this. But for those of us who are just getting started or simply enjoy taking fitness classes, there are many instructor-led videos and courses available — from yoga and pilates, to strength-training and HIIT courses, to get you started.
5. Spend Time In Nature
Depending on your comfort level, exercising outdoors doesn’t have to be out of the question. You can walk around outside, jog/run, or bike in the sun at a healthy distance from other humans (nature trails, forests, etc.). Kayaking, canoeing, and swimming are also great ways to exercise solo (while respecting social distancing guidelines), absorb some vitamin D, and reconnect with nature.
6. Read
Have books that you’ve always intended to read but never had the time? Well, now is that time! If you’ve already tackled your reading list during quarantine and don’t know what else to read, earthday.org has some great recommendations for books about the environment.
7. Tackle a DIY project
Home improvement not your forte, lacking ideas, or simply feeling uninspired? Head to Pinterest! Thanks to its aesthetically pleasing pictures and ways to be creative, it can keep you entertained for ages. While some do-it-yourself projects require things you don’t have on hand, you might find supplies after you declutter your home. Some quick ideas are upcycling glass jars into candle holders or storage containers, turning tin cans into planting pots, or transforming an old round mirror into a tray.
Find Fulfillment In Your Alone Time
There’s no doubt that we need social relationships for our mental and emotional well-being, but for the safety of ourselves as well as others, it’s critical that we continue to respect and follow social distancing guidelines, even beyond the shelter in place orders. These ideas for how you can have fun alone can help you feel a little more fulfilled and content.
Interested in other positive things you can do with your alone time? Head to our website or contact us to learn more about Spring Power & Gas, our environmentally-focused electricity and natural gas plans, and how we work towards our mission of a sustainable future.
