Things to Do During 'Social Distancing' that Aren't Binge Watching

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The Mr and I pretty much practice 'social distancing' most of the year but it's different when it's forced upon you.  You start to appreciate your freedom of being able to move about at will when it's suddenly taken away or at least strongly discouraged.  Many may start to feel trapped pretty quickly at a time when they're getting twitchy after winter anyway.

Here are some activities you can do to fight boredom.

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Have you ever seen a puzzle, loved the picture and ignored that it was 1000 pieces and bought it anyway?  Just us?  Skip to the next one.  The Mr and I bought this puzzle in Stowe VT and loved it.  We started working on it Christmas Day and then 6 hours of our day was gone!  So yeah, puzzles are the PERFECT thing to do if you have a lot of time on your hands.  It's something you can set up on a card table and come back to when you get bored with your other activities.  Just make sure you wash your hands before you dig in.  😉

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You know the one.  The one you've had for like two years that you keep meaning to read but put off because you're "too busy."  (Scrolling feeds and binge-watching seem to count as busy these days.)  Pull it out.  Pull all of 'em out and commit to reading a few chapters a day.  Something wonderful is probably waiting for you in those pages!

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You know you've got a stash of board or card games just waiting for this moment!  Some of our faves are classics like Boggle, Uno, Aggravation, Clue, Taboo, etc.  You could also introduce your kids to the reason you're so tense with heart pounders like Operation and Perfection.  If you're into the long game, you've always got Monopoly, Stratego or Risk.

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If you've got your pantry staples all lined up, this is the perfect time to cook and bake some comfort food.  The kids can get involved and they feel like they're contributing to the family during a hard time.   Generations before us got through tough times and this is the time they were preparing us for but many assumed we were immune to.  I know I already made a small batch of Grandma's noodles to stretch over two meals because I know there will be a time I'll need her and she'll be right there with us.  Hit up some channels that specialize in Great Depression cooking, maybe a homesteading channel or two and Amish cooking to get back to basics.  Channels like this utilize what you can grow and/or using pantry basics to make cheap meals that stretch.  I will be using this time to make friends with yeast and try my hand at a few recipes.

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Look, I know it's not fun but this year Spring cleaning means something a little different.  If there's one thing we learned while prepping for a reno in the midst of this madness, we don't clean enough.  I wasn't lucky enough to get my Grandma's cleaning gene so I don't deep clean nearly as often as I should and I have a legit dust allergy.  The irony isn't lost on me.  I know cleaning products might be in short supply but if you have some stuff in your pantry, you can at least make natural cleaning solutions until you can get your hands on the disinfecting stuff.  Then it'll be that much easier to keep up on!

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Don't act like you don't have a Pinterest board you've abandoned from back in the day!  Blow off the virtual dust and delete projects that no longer appeal to you and actually do the ones that do!  If you're a crafter, you probably have some of the supplies on hand.  If not, order the supplies and get those Christmas crafts you never have time for done ahead!

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This is an unprecedented time and every day seems to bring something different.  Add a notebook or journal onto your next grocery order and keep track of local happenings, thoughts, feelings, what you did while distancing, etc.  In a few years, it could be a very interesting read for you...in a few generations, it'll be an interesting read for your grandkids, great-nieces/nephews!

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You do need a little fresh air here and there or you're going to go stir crazy. If you are healthy and in a low-risk population, it's been said as of right now, it's safe to go outdoors for a bit of exercise and vitamin D.   Look for out of the way parks or walk your neighborhood making sure to keep your 6' distance from others and go at off-peak hours, if possible.

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While you might be tempted to send some snail mail to let your family and friends know you're thinking of them, you might want to keep your spit to yourself.   If you are able to telework and are not financially affected by the social distancing, you can send a care package.  This is especially nice for parents, grandparents, elderly neighbors, expecting and new moms.  Whether sending cookies, candy (I know our Easter is canceled), or a pack of TP or disinfectant wipes to them from an online retailer, personalize a message to them.  It can be just the lift someone needs.   Give them a heads up something will be coming their way.  If they are concerned, then wash their hands after opening the box and handling what you sent. See if a local restaurant does e-gift certificates you can send to their inbox so they can get carryout or delivery one night and not dig into their stash of food.

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Be a "lockdown" looky lou!  Lots of great online activities for you and the kids from museums, to performances to continuing education.

Need to Get Outside? These 5 National Parks Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take From the Comfort of Home 

Four Gardens You Can Virtually Tour, Just in Time for the First Day of Spring

15 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch On Stage From Home

Activities for kids

2020 COVID-19 Remote Learning for the kiddos

 Olaf From 'Frozen' Will Read To Your Kids -- Virtually

11 Fiction Stories to Read During Quarantine

Access 2500+ Online Courses from 140 Top Institutions

Met Opera To Launch Free Nightly Streams During Coronavirus Closure

Art Museums with Virtual Tours -Best Gallery Tours from Home

Explore Colonial Williamsburg

Waste some time taking mindless polls and quizzes

Edit:. Thought of this one this morning... ladies and drag queens, clean your makeup brushes thoroughly every few days!

I hope these gave you some ideas on how to spend your time that will enrich your lives in seclusion instead of zoning in front of the boob tube!

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