Canceled Trips? Stuck In Quarantine? Here’s Where You Can Channel Your Time And Energy Instead

Let's channel our wanderlust to more productive things, shall we?
by Andy Flores | March 19, 2020

Being forced to stay in and stay put is probably one of the biggest nightmares for travelers who constantly crave adventure and enjoy exploring the great outdoors. However, we can all agree that now is not a good time to travel.

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to sweep the world, it’s best to avoid non-essential travel and remain at home to stay safe and protect others as well.

If you’re under community quarantine, there’s actually a number of things you can do to make yourself feel productive during your downtime (because Netflix only has so many shows to keep your attention). Here, we give you some ideas on where you can channel your time and energy in place of traveling:

Kickstart That Passion Project

Whether you’re working from home, are on temporary leave, or completely out of work, there’s no better time to start that project you’ve always wanted to dive in to—be it a novel you’ve been itching to write or a blog you have been planning to launch or even a video game you’ve been wanting to design. Who knows? When everything’s back to normal, you could even switch careers and do what you love full-time.

Get in Touch With Old Hobbies

Sometimes, our fast-paced lives make us forget the little things we used to enjoy doing. Now that the situation is calling for us to slow down a bit, you might want to put your phone down, get in touch with old hobbies and be reminded of how fun (and therapeutic) they are. Bust out that jigsaw puzzle you haven’t finished, that miniature set you ordered but have yet to complete, your old paint set, or those balls of yarn and knitting needles. There’s nothing quite like getting busy while getting a sense of nostalgia.

Learn A Foreign Language

Always wanted to learn a new language? You can actually learn the basics without leaving the comfort of your home to attend special classes! There are a lot of online resources you can access as well as mobile apps that will teach you the A-B-Cs of that language you’ve been longing to learn. So when you take a trip to your dream or favorite destination, you can easily strike simple conversations with locals!

Adopt A Fitness Routine (If You Haven’t Yet!)

If you still have that extra weight you gained over the holidays, it’s time to get physical to achieve that picture-perfect beach bod once and for all! Simply look up exercise routines and videos online and sweat it out! As a bonus, you’ll also be improving your immune system, helping your body fight illnesses. Slip deeper into the mood by going all-out with making your own workout playlist.

Donate

You can do your part in fighting the virus even when you’re indoors! A lot of local hospitals, charities, and other organizations in the frontline are in need of donations to respond to the current crisis. So if you’ve got some extra cash that you would usually spend on coffee or impulse purchases on a regular day, why not deposit the amount to places that could put it to good use instead? However, if you’re also on a tight budget right now, sharing about legitimate donation drives on social media to spread awareness and get the word around would be more than enough.

Declutter Your Space

Clutter can easily build up in your home when you’re staying in, which isn’t exactly conducive if you’re trying to meet deadlines or get that passion project started. And since the mess won’t clean itself, you should probably tidy up and go the extra mile by tossing out the things that no longer spark joy to you (put on Mari Kondo on Netflix for inspo, if you will!). From clothes you no longer wear to books you don’t see yourself finishing—these are items that other people might find useful! Consider donating them to charity or if you’re currently cash-strapped, why not put them on sale online?

Daydream About Your Next Destination

Being in quarantine doesn’t mean you can’t let your mind wander to the destinations you want to visit. Sit down and create a new travel bucket list. Read up on the places you’d love to see and the things you wish to experience there. Some advance research will go a long way, and once the pandemic is over, you’ll be more than mentally prepared for your next big adventure!

What other activities can you do when you’re stuck in quarantine? Share them below!