Are you feeling bored at home? Have you become a walking zombie from all the Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ you’re watching? Are you looking for new ways to spend your time?
We hear ya! At a recent Relocal virtual gathering, community members shared how the pandemic and accompanying increase in screen time has exhausted them. Turns out we’re all looking for simpler ways to enjoy time at home.
Based on crowdsourced data from community members, the theme of MAKING came out as a popular one. That probably makes sense (pun intended) since Relocal is about DIY delight.
Read on for 7 ways to make joy when you’re bored at home!
1) Make Food
Ah, food… The universal language of love! It’s also something we all need to stay alive, so naturally, it’s a great way to bring joy into our lives.
- Live with others? Try cooking together! This is a great chance to empower each other with new food skills.
- Live by yourself? Light a candle, put on some beautiful music, and treat yourself to a nice meal.
- Pick a theme and plan a meal around it. (Ideas: a trip to Tuscany, dishes that start with the letter P, things that are served in tiny bowls, etc.)
- Have a random ingredient laying around? Find a recipe specifically to use up that ingredient.
- Have a stack of dusty cookbooks? Challenge yourself to try a recipe from your cookbooks each week.
2) Make Art
There’s something so satisfying about making something from nothing. Ultimate Joy Tip: focus on the process rather than the final product. Besides using more traditional media such as paints, pastels, and crayons, here are additional ideas that utilize items you may have at home.
- Learn to make origami using pages from an old book.
- Smudge plant matter (from your garden, refrigerator, or spice rack) on paper for a biodegradable painting.
- Make new jewelry from old pieces, single earrings, stray beads, and other bits and bobs.
- Cut up old pictures, magazines, and documents. Attach pieces together to make something new!
3) Make Music
Listening to music is satisfying but making music is a whole different level of joy. Don’t think you’re a musician? Just have fun! No one is listening.
- Sing along to your favourite musical.
- Make up your own words to a song.
- Tap, shake, and bang on everyday objects to discover instruments in your midst! (Ideas: empty tins, celery drumsticks, pill bottle shaker, etc.)
- Or learn an instrument for real. YouTube is full of lessons!
4) Make Friends
Friends don’t always have to be warm-blooded or two-legged. Here are some creative friendship ideas:
- Make fur friends! Play with your pet, make them healthy treats, dress them up for a fun photo shoot, or just snuggle all day long.
- Don’t have a pet? Look out your window to appreciate the wildlife in your neighbourhood. You might be surprised by the variety of animals (e.g. other people’s pets, birds, rodents, insects) you can spot. You can even put out a birdfeeder for a front row seat to nature’s spectacular show.
- Make plant friends! Indoor plants have been shown to boost mood and productivity, improve air quality, and provide therapeutic benefits to caretakers.
- Grow herbs or vegetables. It’s a great way to add freshness to your diet, get in sync with the seasons, and practice patience. Because if friendships are anything, aren’t they relationships that help you grow as person?
- Make friends with the land. Did you know New Zealand’s Whanganui River is recognized as a living being with the rights of a person? Indigenous peoples around the world have recognized the sacredness of the physical environment for generations. Take a moment to connect with the air you breath, the water you consume, and the soil on which you live. They have always been your friends.
- Or if you want to increase your human friend count, check out How to Make Friends During a Pandemic.
5) Make Memories
Memories help us connect with the past, make meaning of the present, and guide us into the future. Think about how you can appreciate special experiences in new ways.
- Write down important stories (e.g. about your family history, your career journey, your travels, etc.). You can keep them private or share them. The choice is yours.
- Review old photos and videos. When was the last time you looked at photos on your camera roll? Maybe it’s time to create a video montage for that amazing trip a while back. Or you’ll finally order prints of that beautiful picture you had taken. Enjoy cruising down memory lane!
6) Make Time
Somethings the best “making” is to make nothing at all. Keep it simple and enjoy.
- Sit in your favourite chair.
- Stand in a warm spot with your eyes closed.
- Daydream.
7) Make Do
Joy comes from being present and finding contentment. Instead of chasing after more, it’s seeing the value of what you already have. The best thing is that making do saves money and is great for the environment!
- Mend an article of clothing (e.g. reattach a button, patch a hole, seal a rip, etc.)
- Remove a stain (e.g. from the sofa, carpet, clothes, etc.)
- Fix something (e.g. squeaky joint, chipped paint, loose hinge, etc.).
It’s okay if you’re not sure how to start! You are resourceful, you can learn, and you can reach out to your community for help.
Make & Mend With Us!
To promote joy and community, Relocal will be hosting Make & Mend online meetups. These will be free, virtual, drop-in sessions where participants are invited to get to know each other as well as to work on their own projects. Visit the Community page to get details. You can also follow @relocal.ca on Instagram or subscribe to the Relocal newsletter for updates.
Crystal Lee is a relocation life & career coach, community builder, and metaphor lover. As the founder of Relocal, Crystal currently promotes empowerment and community through delightful, do-it-yourself activities and group workshops. Her latest publication is a self-care activity book called Stay-At-Home Delight.