As yet another weekend in lockdown looms ahead of me, I — like many others living with restrictions — am wondering what the heck I’m going to do. How am I going to fill up yet another obligation-free 48 hours?
It’s daunting, to say the least. But then, as the overpowering optimist in me takes over, I realise it’s pretty exciting, too. When else can you not feel guilty for not doing all the things you don’t want to do, and finally feel free to do whatever it is you do?
Weekends in lockdown really are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to be away from your usual distractions, and to learn more about yourself by trying something new. And who knows — that thing might even become your new favourite hobby.
So, that said, here are 33 activities to try this weekend. Sure, some you may have done before but since forgotten about, but others, like writing a letter to your future self or joining a virtual Escape Room, are ones you might never have thought of.
It goes without saying that you should always check and abide by lockdown restrictions in your state.
Deep-clean and organise your pantry
Learn your love language
Enrol in an online course
Coursera and edX offer free online courses.
Go to the driving range or play a game of golf
Sage cleanse your room or home
Try a morning or evening meditation
Look into your ancestry
Start by visiting sites Ancestry Australia, Find My Past and Australia Genealogy.
Join a virtual Escape Room
Work up a sweat in an online Yoga or Pilates class
Challenge a friend on a word game app
Try ScrabbleGO or Words with Friends.
Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard
Start a Pinterest board of home design inspiration
Write a letter to your future self
Website FutureMe will deliver it to you in one, three or five years time.
Have a themed movie marathon
Take up knitting or sew missing buttons
Learn a new language
Download apps Duolingo, Babbel or Memrise.
Clean out and then organise your closet
Play a game of tennis
Journal your emotions
Cut and replant any houseplants
Walk barefoot outside
…if possible, of course.
Soak in a long bubble bath
Read a personal development book
How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie, The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle and The 4-Hour Work Week are some of the most well-known.
Set a goal list for your career or well-being
Learn to play a new instrument
Delete photos from your phone’s camera roll
Stretch until you can touch your toes
Make a mug or vase with a pottery kit
Try clay kits from Crockd, Clay Sydney or Journey of Something.
Experiment with (and drink) cocktails
If you live with housemates, do a pub crawl with each room as a different ‘bar’
…challenge them to a four-ingredient cook-off
Build a LEGO set
Check-in with a mental health professional
Try Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Headspace on 1800 650 890.
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