Hey friends, we’re all hanging in there through quarantine, aren’t we? (cue dramatic cry-laughing…)
I don’t think I need to spend much time putting my thoughts into words because I know you all feel it too.
When quarantine first started, I saw a lot of posts going around taking the pressure off of being productive during the pandemic, and while I think that was ok in the beginning, I quickly got tired of it.
Call me crazy, but I didn’t think I would like the version of myself if I came out of quarantine the way social media was taking it. I decided to take this as an opportunity to work on myself and on projects in a way I never have before (you’re reading one of my projects now!)
Albeit, this spring for me has been pretty different for me than a lot of the world. I’m currently putting in 45 hours a week at my day job, so there are 45 less hours every week I have to find stuff to do. Don’t get me wrong, this comes with it’s own struggles, but I just want to acknowledge where I’m coming from. I consider myself quite lucky!
HOWEVER, the very field I got my degree in a year ago (theatre) has dropped off the face of the earth. This, of course bums me out if I think about it too long. Quarantine has taken away my favorite hobby and my passion, so I’ve had to image my life in a world without theatre, at least for the foreseeable future. (Even more dramatic cry-laughing.)
So if you’re determined to make the best of quarantine, I’m help you out with these productive suggestions.
1. Get fit!
Ok, this is probably my number one suggestion, because it’s been my favorite thing! I was a regular gym-rat pre-pandemic, but now I’ve gone from about 4 workouts a week to 6 a week! I’ve gotten results by doing shorter, more frequent workouts. I’m pumped to be going back to the gym periodically now, but will still be mixing in at-home workouts. I just love the convenience!
Here’s more on How To Create Your Ideal Health And Fitness Routine
2. Learn to cook
I’ve loved learning how to make nutritious, yummy food! I made it my mission to learn to cook when I moved to Minneapolis, I’ve had moderate success. I’ve love chicken and taco based chicken dishes the most (the Instant pot makes things sooo easy!). Also, you can’t go wrong with a classic, healthy egg bake!
I’m also obsessed with cooking snacks with protein powders! Since I’ve been working out consistently, I’ve made it a point to up my protein intake. I love making healthy pancakes, cookies, mug cakes, and protein balls with protein powder. SO GOOD!
I’m also trying to stick to my grocery budget by not buying granola or protein bars anymore. I’ve saved so much money making my own treats!
3. Home decor projects
This is pretty popular too, it seems every store’s craft and DIY sections are picked over. My day job is working for a paint company, so I’m all set on paint for now.
While, I may have my fair share of paint talk during my day job, I wish you best of luck on your DIYs!
4. Declutter
Really, who doesn’t need to do this? I feel so much better after I’ve filled a donation box with things I no longer need. Less stuff, less stress in my opinion.
You could go room by room if you wanted to. Don’t forget to declutter things like your inbox, pictures on your phone, and other digital storage spaces.
5. Beautify your yard
Ok, this is probably my least favorite thing to do, but my roommate has really been spiffing up the yard during quarantine. Some people get a really joy from digging in the dirt… I am not one of those people. But who doesn’t love a nice landscape. Plus you can get some vitamin D from the sun 😀
6. Revamp your resume
Maybe you’ve been displaced from your job due to the pandemic, or you realize your job isn’t nearly as fun working remotely. Either way, now is a great time to spiff up your resume so it’s ready to go when you need it. You can even take the time to read up on some resume tips. I have a post about this very topic full of essential things you need to know before you use your resume again. Go slay that resume game!
Here’s more on The Best Job Hunting Resources You Should Be Using
7. Start a podcast
It’s 2020, who hasn’t said to themselves “I should start a podcast!!” With all the time that people are spending at home, more people are listening to podcasts now anyway. Planning, writing, recording, and promoting your podcast can be a great pastime, as well as serve as documentation for your time in quarantine. Even if it’s just for fun, it will give friends and family a chance to hear your voice if they can’t see you in person.
8. Start writing
You know that play/book/epic poem you’ve always thought about writing? Here is the perfect opportunity to do so! I think there is something so fulfilling about creative writing. You don’t ever have to have anyone read it, but you’ll be glad you wrote it. You never know what will come from it. I personally can’t wait to read and watch plays that are being written right now.
If you’re more into the non-fiction vein, you can always start writing a blog!
***But this leads us into some of my favorite productive things to do during quarantine: things that turn a profit!
9. Start a side hustle
What better time?! That side hustle you’ve always wanted to start, consider this the sign that it’s time to start.
Interested in blogging? Blogging can be a slow burn, but you can actually build quite a lucrative side hustle if you take the time to learn about it.
10. Create your own product
Have a brilliant idea you think could turn a profit? Have a lot of knowledge you could teach people? Have a talent for art? You should create your own product, whether that’s a tool, digital course, or piece of art. With more people spending time online anyway, you will have time to find exactly the people who need your product!
11. Join an MLM
WHAT?!?! But MLMs are evil pyramid schemes!! …Maybe, if you go about it the wrong way. After doing quite a lot of research (more out of curiosity than anything) I’ve realized you can’t group all MLMs into the same basket. You certainly can’t group all MLM distributors into the same basket.
I would say proceed with caution. Do you love and have a knack for salesmanship? Do you have a product or line of products you absolutely love? Do you run in a circle that can benefit (and afford) the kind of products you want to market? Then I would say go for it.
I think there is only a fraction of Multilevel Marketing distributors that are actually good and ethical at their jobs, but if you know you’re cut out for it, you can definitely start a side hustle that way.
12. Freelance
Love writing? Have a unique skill? Want some moolah? Freelancing is sooo easy these days. You can even use a freelance website to connect you to clients easy-peasy. Make some money on the side without having to set up and deal with the business side of things.
13. Sell things online
You know all that decluttering you did? I bet if you looked a little bit, you could find someone on the internet looking for exactly what you dug out of your basement. It may take some extra work, but you could end up with a chunk of change for your troubles. Ebay is great for just about anything, while you can use an app like Poshmark for clothing.
14. Drive a food delivery service
With more meals being delivered than ever, you could definitely make some spare change driving for DoorDash or Grubhub. You don’t even have to come into contact with people! I would say just make sure you eat before hand, otherwise you’ll get so hungry from all the food smells! 😛
***Now we’re moving into things that will help grow your mind!
15. Learn a new language!
I get super pumped about this one! I absolutely love language learning, and maybe someday we’ll all get the chance to use these languages in their natural habitats. (sad laugh-sighing…). I am quite the German nerd myself and I love what learning a language does for my brain. I actually tested out of a German class in college, just from listening to German music, using Duolingo, and being a huge nerd. I’ve never even taken German before!
16. Read books
Fiction and non-fiction! Get into both! If you’re not that much of a reader, start with something light and fluffy, and then dig into something more educational. You can even be reading multiple books at a time, which sometimes works for short attention spans. That way, you can switch between books if you get bored.
17. Take a course
There are so many free courses out there, but if you’re really looking to dig into a subject, you can use a place like THIS WEBSITE. (Sales pitch).
Some Ivey league schools are even offering courses for free! You can check out a list of 450 FREE Ivey league courses here!
18. Learn some personal development
I was initially super cautious of the personal development industry. (I think this video explains a lot of the reasons why you should have a healthy bit of skeptisicm on PD). However, from the bit of PD media I’ve consumed, I’ve greatly improved my mindset! Personally, I love PD podcasts that focus on business. Design Your Dream Life by Natalie Bacon has been an absolute game changer for me. And this is coming from a skeptic!
19. Volunteer
If you have an abundance of time on your hands, why not volunteer? Especially in these crazy times, volunteering is a good way to stay connected and help those who are struggling. You can find a food shelf, local charity, church, or even some restaurants that are feeding the community that need volunteers. Volunteering always feels uncomfortable at first, but expect the discomfort, and you’ll be glad you went!
20. Actually create a budget
I know money may be the last thing you might want to think about at this point in time, but as long as you can’t go out and spend it on plane tickets (something I’d be very tempted to do in a normal world) it’s time to learn to budget. For some reason, budgeting is very important skill that isn’t routinely taught. It gets me kind of fired up actually, that some people are too scared to talk about money, and therefore never learn. Now is a great time to learn though. I love all the info Berna Anat has to offer. Check out her site, she’s hilarious!!
21. Learn to play an instrument
Listen: no one has ever regretted learning to play an instrument. No one. Who doesn’t wish they could wail on guitar or dazzle their friends at the piano? Learning an instrument is hard, but it’s one of the best things you can do for you brain. Loads of people are self taught, but you can also find teachers online. (BTW, I would definitely count learning to sing in this category!)
22. Write a letter to family or friends
I hear a news story on my way to work about how two young girls wrote each other a message in a bottle. 2 Gen-Z-ers used snail mail and it literally made the news. For real?
But why not? I used to have a pen pal when I was a teenager, and we actually had a lot of fun writing letters. It’s always fun to get something in the mail. 😀
23. Send someone a care package
Chances are you know someone who is going through a really hard time right now. Why not surprise them with a basket of goodies in the mail? I can pretty much guarantee you will make their day!
24. Waste time
It’s kind of counter intuitive, but wasting time can actually be good for your brain too! Just spending more time to daydream and do things you enjoy can boost your creativity and morale. As long as you make it a habit to dwell on constructive and positive things, this can really do wonders for your brain.
25. Plan your life
Maybe this stresses you out too much, but it honestly thrills me more than anything else! As a pretty ambitious person, I’m using this time to stalk up brain power and energy to spring my future plans into action as soon as I am able. I’ve got a rough two year plan lined up when normalcy resumes. In a way, I’m kind of grateful for a break to really plan my goals for the next couple years.
So, what have you been keeping productive with during quarantine? And what are your goals you’re planning?! Let me know!
Don’t forget to pin this on Pinterest for later!
