Things to do when you’re bored and cannot travel
Quarantine isn’t going to last forever, but it is important to keep our physical and mental health in check while we are stuck or bored at home. Being stuck in Quarantine is just temporary and we will be able to travel and go back to as normal as we can someday. In the meantime we need to be considerate of those around us and what is going on in the world today and treat it as seriously as it is.
This isn’t a joke or something that is fake and only trying to scare us. It may be blown a little out of proportion, but we are definitely in a PANDEMIC so treat it like that! The whole world wouldn’t close if things were normal. People are losing their jobs, people are dying, people are suffering from being alone all the time, etc.
So…PLEASE don’t be inconsiderate and throw parties, hang out in big groups, not wear a mask etc. Even if you don’t believe this pandemic can hurt you, you can hurt other people by being ignorant and inconsiderate to the world around you. If you are acting like this please stop and remember the world doesn’t revolve around you. This is about the whole world right now. We are all in this together, and there are steps you can take to stay sane and a lot of things you can do if you are bored.
Remember that this time will eventually pass and things will go back to as normal as they can be. We will be able to go to the black sand beaches again in Greece. We will be able to participate in sunrise yoga in Japan again! The gates of our favorite European museums will open up. We will be able to go to all the places and do all the things we’ve always dreamed of.
In the meantime you now have extra time to do so many things that you may have never done normally. You now have more time than ever to focus on yourself and truly do what you always said you would. You can do anything, and here are my top activities that I enjoy doing during quarantine. These are things you can do when you can’t travel or better yet things to do when you are bored. Try to do them all and maybe you won’t be able to be bored anymore.
Things to remember
1) Everyone is going through this it is not just you. Don’t feel like you are missing out on everything or you life is ruined because you are stuck at home. Use this time to your advantage if you can. I have learned and started and created so many things this year I can say it really has been one of the most productive years ever.
2) Don’t feel bad about not being productive all the time. We are in a pandemic and it is your right to do what you want. If you need a do nothing day – do it. You aren’t required to be at your tip top shape during these times. You can take a break.
3) This is a very important time to get in touch with yourself. As cliché and basic as that sounds being by yourself or just choosing to be around a small group that you enjoy and are beneficial to you is the best thing you can do for yourself. Cut off those annoying people that add nothing to your life because you shouldn’t have to slow down in order to let someone catch up. Leave them in the dust and hang around people who are on your level.
1) Read a book
There are millions of books in this world, and you can learn something from every one of them. You can read fiction stories, non fiction books, and so many others. I have read more books in 2020 than I probably have my entire life. I enjoy learning and acquiring new skills as well as letting my imagination grow from fiction stories. I like to read about technology, travel, self-help, mediation, space, the ocean, finance, and anything else I don’t know about. You can read books online or if your library is open reserve books at the library or even better buy them so you can read them over and over! Reading books can cure your boredom and give you something very productive to do when you are bored.
2) Go on a road trip
Depending on where you are in the world, you can always go on a small trip in your town/state/country. Take this extra time to go and discover something close to you that you never took the time to fully visit before. I know I have discovered places in my home state I have never been to before. It is nice to get away even if it is for a little while, and learning more about where you come from is a super fun experience. Don’t be stuck in the house bored when you can go outside and experience nature.
3) Write down your travel stories
Don’t let memories fade! If you don’t already write down your travel experiences take a little time and write down your memories from every country you have been to. What made them unique? What were your favorite parts? What did you learn? What were your daily activities?
Writing down your feelings and insights on a place can even open up a new perspective. If you already have your travel stories written down – go back and read them, add to them, learn from them. It’s very interesting to be able to look back on every trip and see exactly how you felt and little details on what you did each and every day. You also don’t have to limit yourself to only writing down memories when you are on trips. It is beneficial to do it all the time. I have been doing it for years and it is amazing to see how you used to think and how you grow and change throughout the years.
4) Learn a new skill
Being stuck at home bored during quarantine is the perfect time to learn a new skill. What is something you have always wanted to do but never followed through because you “don’t have enough time” or “Are too busy” or “Do not know where to start.” Well let me tell you that we are in a global pandemic, and if there was ever a perfect time to do something for you IT IS NOW! This is your chance. Take up yoga, meditation, art, organize your house, write a book, the possibilities are endless.
5) Read travel blogs
Reading other people’s travel stories or input on locations around the world can give you great inspiration for what you want to do on your next trip. Which locations do you want to learn more about? There are so many travel bloggers out there, and you will be able to find what you are looking for down to the exact location you are looking for. I like reading independent travel bloggers blogs because they are very real with their readers and are very honest about what the readers need to know in order to be successful on their trips.
Yes, you will always find super sponsored and fake stories out there, but if you read enough you will be able to tell what is and isn’t true. Overall, reading other people’s stories can give you a lot of inspiration in your life. It can be like going on a journey on your own or like reading a book. You can learn something from everyone so why not do it while you are trying to think of things to do while you are bored in quarantine?
6) Plan for your next trip
Now is the perfect time to play for your next trip. The only thing that will need to be put on hold are exact dates, but you can plan just about everything else. You can figure out which destinations you want to visit, what you want to do on your vacation, how you plan to get around, what you need to pack, and anything else your heart desires. If you are unsure on what to do or how to play you can Sign Up With Me, and I will help you plan the best trip according to your needs and your budget!
7) Learn a new language
Learning a new language is something that will take more than a few months to learn completely, but it doesn’t mean you can’t learn a lot fast! There are plenty of free and paid apps anyone can use to improve foreign language skills. I have been using Duolingo for years on my phone, and it is a great and easy resource to learn a new language. Being at least conversational in a few languages will not only help you in traveling around the world, but it will also help you in the corporate world. It also can be done by just practicing for a few minutes a day! Take those minutes you normally use scrolling through social media and make them productive by learning a language.
8) Get into shape
Do not let yourself get the quarantine fifteen! Home workouts are on the rise right now, and there are so many resources everywhere. You can sign up for an online course, work out along with people on Youtube, or even sign up for personal training. I personally teach stretching, yoga, and gymnastics. If you are getting tight during quarantine or are just a very inflexible person in general this is perfect for you. Stretching is so very important no matter what kind of of workout you are doing. It will help relax and warm up your muscles so you do not get injured as easily. Reach out to me if you want my help with your stretching goals.
9) Start cooking
A lot of restaurants are closed right now. It is very sad, and we need to support our local businesses when we can, but we can also start learning a lot on our own! You don’t have to cook a four course meal every night…you can instead just try to cook something new that you love to eat. Maybe you never thought you would be able to cook a certain type of food, but now you have the time and opportunity to try! Cure your boredom and improve your skills in the kitchen that will ultimately last you the rest of your life. Cook a new Mediterranean dish, some food of your culture, your favorite dessert, a new drink recipe…the possibilities are endless.
10) Create a Travel Bucket List
Isn’t everyone counting down the days until we can ACTUALLY travel again? I know I am….but do you really know where you want to go? There are millions of places of you can visit on this planet, and I am positive you do not know all of them. Do some research and discover some amazing places online that you can plan a trip for. Check out my top 30 locations you need to see in Europe. Let me know if you made it to all of them yet!
11) Get outside
This is probably one of the most important things to do when you’re bored or feel like you are getting too isolated. Sometimes just a walk around the neighborhood can do a lot for your boredom and even your mental health. Staying cooped up all day at home will not only hurt you physically but also mentally. Take at least 20 minutes a day to enjoy nature and go outside. It will improve your mood and boredom and do a lot for your well being. You can go on a bike ride, take a walk, go to the beach, workout outside, etc. There are so many activities you can do that will improve your mood and give you things to do when you are bored.
12) Make a gratitude journal
We all think about what we are grateful for, but writing it down and saying it out loud is actually very beneficial. Every night write down what you are thankful for. You can write things like : I am thankful to have such amazing friends, I am thankful to have reached one of my goals this year, I am thankful I got to go for a nice run today, I am happy for my friend’s engagement, etc etc. Do that along with making a virtual or physical vision board that you look at everyday with what you want to achieve. No guarantee you will get it, but thinking about something everyday can do a little something for you.
If I learned anything during quarantine it is that you need to stop thinking negatively because those are also thoughts. Focus on the positives. I used to think that if I think positively and negatively it is okay, but negative thoughts can take over you and you NEED to let them go. If you lost your job, your best friend stabbed you in the back, your vacation got canceled, you got cheated on, you never think you’ll amount to anything you need to STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. It’s hard as hell, but replace those thoughts with what you want out of life and you never know…maybe you’ll get it.
I hope this list helps cure your boredom. These are my top things to do when you are bored. You can do these not only during quarantine but anytime when you are not sure what to do. Let me know which ones you have done, or if you have done them all! I hope everyone is staying safe and respectful during quarantine. There are so many things you can do right now, so use your time wisely.
