12 Things to Do at Home

12 Things to Do at Home

• Mar 26, 2020

I knew from experience with my firstborn that I probably wouldn't be out and about much after my second child was born. And since a February birthday = the middle of flu season, I figured that would keep us close to home, too. I certainly never anticipated a dangerous virus sweeping the globe and making it absolutely vital that everyone stay home to help slow its spread. I'm doing my best to stay informed while not spending too much time reading the news, but it's definitely hard. Life right now is far from normal! When anxiety over the unknown starts creeping in, I try to remind myself of what I love about being home. Here are my twelve favorite things to do:

1. Read a book.

Are you surprised this is the first thing on my list? It's my favorite hobby, and it's what I spend the majority of my free time doing. Books can take you on the best adventures! Here are eight favorites that just make me happy:

• Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

• The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

• To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

• The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

• If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

• One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

• Act Like It by Lucy Parker

• Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

2. Reorganize my bookshelves.

This is one of my favorite things to do when I'm itching for a project. I love taking all my books off my shelves and rearranging them. Separate your read and unread books? Want rainbow shelves? Now is the time to try it!

3. Shop online. Support small businesses!

While staying safe at home, I can still shop online. Whether ordering takeout from a local restaurant or treating myself to something fun, this is a great opportunity to support small businesses. A few of my favorites:

• Avid Bookshop

• BookRoo Subscription 

• Carrot Top Paper Shop

• Helen Ficalora

• Promptly Journals

• Rewined Candles

• Simplified by Emily Ley

• Story Time Sleeve

4. Take a nap.

I'm not typically very good at taking a nap, but sometimes it's what your body needs – especially when you're overwhelmed or anxious. It's hard to be productive when you're feeling that way, and a nap can be so restorative.

5. Tackle a project.

I've been writing a lot about routines lately, and I know it's hard to implement something when your schedule is so far from normal. But this could be an opportunity to tackle a project that you've been avoiding. For example:

• Clean out your closet

• Cull your bookshelves

• Organize your kitchen drawers / pantry / fridge

• Try a cleaning schedule

• Rearrange your furniture

• Organize digital photos

• Hang some photos or art

• Create new weekly or monthly routines

6. Paint my nails.

I've always preferred painting my nails at home, but it took time, practice and patience before I got the hang of it. If you typically get salon manicures, here's your chance to do a little self care at home.

7. Play with my boy.

Since I'm a stay-at-home mom and my kids aren't in school yet, we haven't had as much of an adjustment. I know this season would be much harder if I was trying to work or teach school from home. A few of our favorite things:

• Busy Toddler on Instagram

• Cincinnati Zoo's daily Home Safari videos

• MagnaTiles and Melissa & Doug puzzles

• Sidewalk chalk and bubbles

• A giant sticker book (my son's favorite)

• PBS Games app on the iPad

• Plastic animals, from companies like Schleich or Safari Ltd. 

• Books, books, and more books!

8. FaceTime a friend.

People may complain about how technology has changed modern relationships, but these are the moments where it's truly a blessing. Feeling lonely? Phone a friend or your family! I adore my daily I FaceTime chats with my bestie.

9. Get creative.

Blogging is my main source of creativity, and it's definitely a labor of love. I don't know any skills like knitting, but I do love playing around with paper products. Here are the some ways I try to exercise my creativity:

• Decorate my planner.

• Cook something new.

• Create a reading log.

• Make graphics for the blog.

• Bullet journaling(ish) – here's my own version of it!

• Take photos of my life and my books.

• Write, especially three good things about each day.

• Design my own Happy Planner inserts.  

10. Go outside.

We've had nice weather in Georgia the past week, and I've been so thankful that we fenced in our backyard last fall. The baby and I have enjoyed rocking on the porch while big brother plays hard and soaks up the sun.

11. Watch something.

As much as I love reading, sometimes I just need to watch something instead. That's my go to when I can't concentrate on a book but still need something to distract me from my own thoughts. Here are some favorites:

• If I want happy, small-town vibes: Gilmore Girls or Hart of Dixie.

• If I need some non-coronavirus medical drama: Grey's Anatomy.

• If I want to keep calm and carry on: The Great British Baking Show or The Young Victoria.

• If I need teen angst: Gossip Girl or 13 Going on 30.

• If I want murder and mayhem: The Vampire Diaries.

• If I need to laugh: Friends or The Proposal.

• If I want all the comforting, childhood feels: Anne of Green Gables. 

• If I need to go back in time: Downton Abbey or Pride and Prejudice.

12. Take a bath.

I adore taking a bath, and it's my favorite way to wind down in the evening. Light a candle, use bubbles or bath salts, turn on some quiet instrumental music, and grab a book for some much-needed relaxation time.