Say Goodbye to Boredom with These 6 Activities

Do you feel bored out of your mind? Like you might cry if you see one more loaf of banana bread? We’re with you. That’s why we’ve brainstormed six tentatively awesome things to do if you’re still hunkering down at home to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Photo by Bernard Hermant

1. Try a Kid’s Craft (Their Stuff is Better Than Ours)

I’m not a crafter, and that might be because the pressure is just too high for grown-up crafts. But kid’s crafts are an absolute blast! The pressure’s off so you can create for the pure joy of creating.

Make a balloon rocket. Expand on an image. Make your own fairy garden. Do an awesome science experiment!

Want even more open-ended ideas? Make one minute drawings or try this Frida Kahlo art prompt.

2. Find a Pen Pal and Write a Letter

A few weeks ago a friend of mine sent me a photo of a letter I had sent her in first grade! It was a time capsule/blast from the past, and I’ve been itching to write another letter ever since.

Maybe it will be a thank you note, or maybe it will be a confessional. One thing’s for sure--there will be colored pens and stickers involved in honor of my eight-year-old awesome letter.

Photo by Kate Hliznitsova

3. Plan a Dream Getaway

Do I sometimes pretend I’m Beyoncé, planning my next vacation? Absolutely. Browsing Airbnb for the most amazing places to stay is so fun it might become my next hobby.

You can google exotic Airbnb locations, or just pick a city and start searching in different price ranges. Try famous cities like Paris or Copenhagen, or look in out-of-the-way spots like Idaho or British Columbia. Of course, Bey’s places probably don’t show up on Airbnb, but a girl can still dream….

4. Expand Your Netflix Options

Ok, you’ve probably plowed through all your English options on Netflix--but what about Hindi musicals? Or Korean dramas? Or Spanish telenovelas? You’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to fabulous entertainment!

To search for content in a different language, search for “X language genre” (for example: Spanish language telenovela). Whether or not you use English subtitles is completely up to you, but prepare to enter a whole new world from the comfort of your living room!

5. Write a Campaign Speech

What if you ran for office--what would your platform be? What would you change? It’s exciting to think about, right?! Do some research (The Skimm, Pantsuit Politics, Refinery29 are super helpful when it comes to breaking down the issues) and then write your own campaign speech! Don’t forget to thank us in your presidential inauguration speech.

Photo by Hannah Olinger

6. Start a Business (or a NonProfit, or a Podcast, or a YouTube Channel, or That Novel You’ve Been Meaning to Write…)

Maybe it will just be something to occupy you for the afternoon--or maybe that new thing you’ve always wanted to create will change the world. But you’ll never know if you don’t take action!

Bonus points if you can find a friend--or two or three or four--to get in on the fun with you. You could write a collaborative novel. Start a business together. Or start a podcast together!

Still bored? Take a quiz. Read poetry. Find the perfect essential oil for your Enneagram type. Make a yogurt parfait. Do a puzzle.

Sarah Guerrero

Sarah Guerrero is a freelance writer and contributor to Slow North. She has a degree in international business from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, and writes about sustainable business practices and ethical living.