By Lauren Lippert
As school winds down during these unfortunate and hectic times, finding things to occupy your time has certainly become an issue. I know for me, personally, I’ve been spending an excessive amount of time on either TikTok, Netflix, or Youtube, there’s no in-between. My screen time is through the roof!
I have gotten to the point where being on my phone is the last thing I want to do. With that being said, I wanted to challenge myself to find different things to keep me busy and because of this, I came up with a list of various things/ideas to keep us all entertained and occupied.
Below is a combination of things I’ve tried and hope to try. Hopefully, you find it helpful!
1. Make a new music playlist: If you’re like me and you are constantly listening to music now is the perfect opportunity to find new artists/genres to enjoy. I’ve definitely reached my limit of listening to the same music over and over again so throughout the course of quarantine, I’ve created a couple of different playlists. One called I’m over my music and the other being I’m over OVER my music…I wish I was joking. Take this time to explore your friend/family member’s music, who knows maybe you’ll find your new favorite artist or song? Want a place to start? Look at TheChicDaily’s playlists!
2. Make a new playlist photo cover: This requires a limited amount of knowledge in design and any designing platform such as Photoshop, Indesign, Over, etc. Use Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, WeHeartIt, or whatever your heart desires for inspiration to create a mood board or a simple cover for your new playlist. You can listen to your new playlist while making this. Here the dimensions you’ll need: 300 x 300 pixels. If you need some inspiration, here are a couple of ones I’ve designed for my playlists!
3. Find a new podcast: As much as I love music, sometimes when that’s all you listen to it grows old. With that being said, Podcasts are another alternative to help past the time. Below are a couple of podcasts to explore!
Lifestyle
Call Her Daddy: Combines hilarious stories and advice about pretty much anything and everything, super scandalous
Bachelor Happy Hour: If you love the Bachelor franchise I promise you won’t be disappointed! Some episodes talk about filming/behind the scenes after the final rose.
Views David Dobrik: Who doesn’t love David Dobrik, am I right?
Zane and Heath Unfiltered: Need I say more, absolutely hilarious cause it’s all over the place
HeSaidSheSaid by TheChicDaily;): all things relationships just saying!
Ashley Graham podcast: She’s insanely inspiring
How I built this with Guy Raz: if you’re starting a new business or want to, this one is a good one to listen to for motivation and ideas
True Crime
My Favorite Murder: Combines comedy and murder in the best way possible
Crime Junkies: They go in-depth with various crimes keeping you on the edge of your seat
4. Design a mood board: These have become extremely popular and are the best way to past the time. Get inspiration from Pinterest (definitely my number one), Instagram, anything that inspires you. Create something that you’re proud of, it can combine random things, pictures of your friends, pets, anything you want. This is also a fun way to create customizable lock screens, wallpapers, Instagram stories, and to print out for fun. Tip: look up the dimensions for different social media posts and wallpaper background, it helps in the end I promise! Once you create something you are proud of, send them our way, we would love to see them! Here are a few I made for some inspiration!
5. Find a book: Yes, you read the right. Right now is the perfect opportunity to try things you don’t like, who knows it might surprise you! It’s all about finding a genre that you’ll enjoy. As someone who has always loved reading, I added a list of book recommendations to help you guys out!
Little Women (A classic)
Pride and Prejudice (Another classic, every person should read this just saying)
The Red Queen series
How to Be A Badass: this one really helped me find motivation and confidence
The subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Any Nicholas Sparks if you want a good cry, promise you they’re just as good as the movies, some are better
One of Us Is Lying (a mystery, think Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club)
6. Rearrange a room: This is also a good way to help declutter and reorganize your space. I’ve helped both my siblings rearrange/organize their bedrooms and I’ve definitely seen a difference in their motivation. Not to mention, who doesn’t love finding things from your past and reminiscing. I know I love finding old yearbooks and notes that have been shoved in a corner of my room that I’ve forgotten about. This doesn’t just have to be a bedroom either, it can be an office, basement, living room, anything. It’s a good way to create change in a subtle way. The world is constantly changing right now to the point where there’s so much unknown so why not have the ability to control certain changes around you? It’ll help you feel so much better in the long run.
7. Try a new work out: Now, if you’re like me finding the motivation to do anything has pretty much been nonexistent. I’ve found myself thinking that I’m going to work out tomorrow, I’ll just take the day to rest but then the next day comes and I’m still laying in my bed. However, the first step is following through those thoughts because once you do the next day will be easy, I promise. It can be as something as simple as 10 minutes, just move your body, you’ll thank yourself in the end. Below are a couple of videos/websites I’ve tried that have definitely kicked my butt but in the best way possible. If you want more ideas we also have another article here that talks about the best fitness instructors on youtube.
–Chloe Ting 2 Week Summer Shred: Almost passed out on day 1, but felt amazing after I completed it and it’s completely free
-Alexis Ren 10 minute Ab work out
8. Do an online painting class: I think in total I’ve painted at least 5 different paintings with my family. It’s a good way to relax and hang out with people you’re quarantined with in the best way possible. Not to mention you help support small local painting businesses, which is an added bonus. You would be surprised by how many online “Canvas and Cocktails” type of painting programs are free online.
Pictures I’ve painted!
9. Go on a picnic, social distancing style: Now, before you come for me I don’t mean to take a large group of your friends and have a picnic. I mean find one or two friends at most and meet up at park, sit next to each other from a distance. It’s a good way to catch up with your friends in a safe, respectable way. Plus, you get human interaction which trust me, we all would LOVE right now. Split up various things your friend(s) could bring, like a potluck. For example, I brought fruit, drinks, and chips while my other friend brought sandwiches and dessert. It was nice to catch up with her and enjoy time away from my house/phone in a SAFE but fun way.
10. Have a movie/TV show marathon: So I know at the beginning of all of this, I said I was tired of watching TV but sometimes a good old fashion marathon is what’s needed to pass the time. Here are some movie and tv show recommendations that I personally enjoy watching.
TV (Found on Amazon Prime, Netflix or Hulu)
Spinning Out
The Society
Hollywood
Euphoria (if you haven’t watched it yet!)
Elite
The Grand Tour (if you like cars plus it’s hilarious)
Autopsy the last hours of.. ( A cool show about celebrities last moments alive and the conspiracies behind them)
Movies (Found on Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney Plus, or Netflix)
I Still Believe (Literally made me bawl my eyes out but so worth it, has really awesome music too)
Billionaire Boys Club
Knives Out
Pelé (An awesome soccer movie, 10/10 recommend)
What Happened to Monday (This movie is crazy, super suspenseful)
Horrible Bosses
Bonus: Another idea would be to have a photo shoot. Whether it be those you’re quarantined with or a friend, it’s also a good way to get out of your sweatpants and to actually get ready. Find a random park or even your park yard, the possibilities are endless. Here’s some I took of my sister.
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