Over the last few week I have spent a number of sessions discovering how clients are keeping busy, and how many new things they would like to try. Some things are old hobbies that they haven’t had time to engage in because of long commutes, family demands or they’ve simply moved on to new, brighter, shinier things.
Other people are trying completely new things. Things that may have been on their mind for a while, but they just hadn’t had a chance to get started.
As with everything isolation, these new or reintroduced tings are being worked into the new schedule. In some cases, they are being set as a SMARTER goal. This will ensure the new endeavour doesn’t go the way of the New Year’s Resolution.
Binge watching your favourite television program has its benefits. Personally I’ve been watching a few episodes of ‘Jack Ryan’ in an evening as I quilt my latest project. I’ve also been listening to more music than I have in a while. And the excitement when the vinyl of one of my favourite bands ‘The Basics’ arrived earlier in the week, was ridiculous. Sadly I didn’t have any one to share it with immediately, so I had to wait to Zoom a mate in a different time-zone to be up and ready.
Keeping busy and connected is important, so I thought I would compile a list of ideas of things that you can do. Whether you're alone or with others, hopefully there is some inspiration on this list.
Make the next weeks or months a time that you reflect on as a time that you physically distanced but socially connected. Use this time to communicate and discover each other all over again.
1. Play board games
2. Play trivia. Take it in turns to write the questions
3. Play ball games in the house, with a balloon
4. Learn magic and/or card tricks and entertain each other
5. Read to each other
6. Watch comedians and laugh together. Laughter is important now
7. Gather objects from around the house, make up a story and tell it to each other. You can do this via video chat as well
8. Figure out your ‘Love Language’ and discuss how you can put it into action in your household
9. Start a new habit or change a current not helpful habit
10. Have a paper airplane competition
11. Write each other letters of gratitude, love, or thanks
12. Declutter or clean up a space. Don’t try and do too much at once e.g: the second drawer, a wardrobe or spare room. Do one at a time.
14. Listen to some music you haven’t listened to for ages, then share stories about what the memories it brings up
15. Sing!
16. Cook together
17. Make a funny video together
18. Do some home improvement project together
19. Listen to a podcast or audiobook together, and talk about it afterwards. You could also get friends to listen and have an Online meeting about it…instant Book Club
20. Plan a trip together
21. Camp in the garden (if you have one)
22. Do a puzzle, but don’t go out just to buy one. You can buy them online
23. Sculpt with Play-Doh. You can also get this online, or make your own
24. Blindfold taste test. Keep it clean or make it dirty
25. Play sock dodge-ball…throw rolled up sock balls at each other
26. Enjoy the stars. Get out the star charts and see how many constellations you can identify
27. Make up dance routines to your favourite songs. Video them and share with friends and family
28. Enjoy the sky. Spot shapes in the clouds or watch a sunset or sunrise
29. Discover your local wildlife. What do you have living around you and how can you learn to share your space better
30. Build an indoor fort and watch a film together in it.
31. Build an indoor (or outdoor) assault course and see who can run it the quickest.
32. Draw together. Draw a still life or each other. It doesn’t matter if you can’t draw, it might give you a laugh
33. Pick a TEDTalk or documentary and watch together, discuss afterwards. You could also do this with extended friends and family via online chat or video
34. Foster a pet and get them settled in. Be sure to pick one that will fit in with your lifestyle once you’re back to working out of home
35. Have a picnic outside, remembering physical distancing
36. Have a social media and screen detox
37. Raid your wardrobe and play dress up, fancy dress or costume
38. Play scissors, paper, rock. Create a league table
39. Find a new online game you can play with remote family and friends
40. Play beer/soda pong (drink responsibly)
41. Cook together. If you are alone you could cook with someone else over video chat
42. Learn how meditate and practice. You might like to start with guided meditations
43. Learn how to be mindful and practice it
44. Learn Yoga and practice. You could create an online practice group
45. Take an online course. There are lots of options out there.
46. Join a special interest group on social media.
47. Have coffee or drinks with friends in other cities via chat groups/video
48. Journal your experiences during this time. Use pictures, news clipping, videos, and your own stories. It can be serious, funny or both.
49. Ask each other random questions. There are loads of things going around on Facebook, and I’m sure a Google search will bring up a few suggestions.
50. Learn to dance for TikTok via YouTube videos
51. Create a bucket list
52. Create a ‘vision board’. Here’s a How Too…
53. Share skills. Teach each other a skill the other one may not have. Make it fun.
54. Create a time capsule. Here’s a How Too…
55. Build LEGO
56. Rediscover each other’s bodies (for couples) Try Sensate Focus.
57. Learn how to breathe. Slow steady breathing can help reduce anxiety and stress.
58. Read
59. Learn how to sew, quilt, knit, crochet...
60. Start a gratitude journal. List three things daily that you’re grateful for
61. Make an indoor scavenger hunt
62. Get out in the garden.
63. Go for a walk/cycle. Discover your own neighbourhood
64. Make some bird/possum boxes
65. Play cards (Patience, poker, rummy, bridge, etc) It you don’t know how, Google is your friend
66. Play spin the bottle or truth of dare
67. Paint or draw. If you don’t know how, learn
68. Play Charades or Would you rather
69. Colour in
70. Do some ‘at home’ science experiments
71. Build a potato gun
72. Send a letter, card, or postcard to someone
73. Write a story or poem together. One person writes a few lines, then the next person, then the next. Until it feels done
74. Plant some seeds
75. Play or start playing Pokémon Go. It gets you walking and you can connect with others, virtually
76. Try your hand at bird watching
77. Learn photography. Here’s a how too…
78. Join an online chat group, such as ‘Talk with Strangers’, ‘Aussie Chat’, and ‘Siko Chat’. Use the usual online precautions
79. Make a sock puppet and make short videos
80. Masturbate. Use your imagination to conjure the imagery rather than porn. Ladies, it's great for the pelvic floor and body discovery. Gents, it's a muscle
81. Start making positive affirmations. Say into a reflective surface, I am ___ You are ___ let your brain be rewired away from the negative.
Of course with all of these suggestions, only do things that suit you and those taking part. I have made a few suggestions of sites, by these are by no means recommendations or endorsements. Work within your own physical and mental health limitations.
Take time to play. @PhysicalDistanceSocialConnection