5 Things to Do When You Are Stuck Inside

Stuck at Home
House-bound? Whatever reasons you have to stay at home, let it be an opportunity to have fun, be productive, and learn something new.

Here are 5 things you can do when you are stuck inside:

1. Clean Up. Although the start of a season - whether it's spring, summer, winter, or fall - is a great excuse to get organized, you don't actually need an reason to do a refresh on your home. Sort things out, purge what you no longer need, and find lost treasures. Bonus points for doing a physical and digital cleanse of your home office.

2. Learn. Information is everywhere. Embrace it! Choose something you've always wanted to learn, and spend time educating yourself on the topic, whether it's through videos, podcasts, or books. Even as little as 15 minutes to an hour a day will add up. Before you know it, you will master - or at least have a working knowledge of - something new!

3. Cook. Just because you can't go out to eat does not mean your taste buds should suffer. Electronic shopping has made day-of delivery of super-easy; your local store may offer delivery too. Find a recipe you want to try, order ingredients, and get cooking. It's fun, relaxing (usually), and healthier than most of what you buy from out.

4. Connect. You don't need to leave your home to be social. Spend some quality time engaging with family and friends. Pick up the phone, do a Zoom or Skype chat, or send an email to touch base. You can also check out a new LinkedIn or Facebook group, engage in a Twitter chat, or spend commenting on posts. You never know where and when you will find people with common interests and make new friends. 

5. Write. No commute means you get extra hours added to your day. Dedicate that bonus time to a writing project. Spend time on a draft in progress or revision, or start a new passion project. And have fun with it! No matter what the genre, when you enjoy the stories you are writing, your readers will love them too!

Being at home have doesn't need to feel like you are in lock-up. Embrace the pace. And get things done!

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What do you do when you are stuck at home? Please share in the comments.

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Debra Eckerling is the author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals. A writer, editor and project catalyst, as well as founder of the D*E*B METHOD and Write On Online, Deb works with individuals and businesses to set goals and manage their projects through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and online support. She is also the author of Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages, host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat, and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.

8 comments:

Karen Cioffi said...

Great advice, Debra. I'm not stuck inside, but I can't go to my outside the home job. The office is in my boss's home and his wife is selfQ'd and has no qualms about coming into the office. I decided better safe than sorry. This gives me an extra time. I'm working on cleaning out my basement and working on my clients' and my own writing. projects.

Debra Eckerling said...

Thanks, Karen. My inspiration for this post is obvious. The intention, however, is to highlight the benefits of staying home, whether by choice or circumstance, at any time.

Best of luck with your projects!

Terry Whalin said...

Debra,

Terrific ideas in this article. Thank you. I've been stuck a great deal inside this winter in Colorado where we've had one of the snowiest weather in recorded history.

Terry
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Debra Eckerling said...

Thanks, Terry. I totally get it. I grew up in the Midwest, so I had more than my share of winters. Take care!

deborah lyn said...

Thanks Debra, timely tips. My favorites are learn, connect, write!
I need to dust but...would rather do anything else. I've worked virtual from my "home office" for many years, and glad of it - but sometimes an outing is really important. best, deborah

Debra Eckerling said...

Thanks, Deborah! I think "learn" is under-utilized. There's always a way to level-up from the comfort of home.

Linda Wilson said...

Yes, I too enjoyed your article. How timely with the virus situation! Thank you, Debra. My order is a little different, though (because I'm retired :) Write, Connect, Cook, Learn, Clean-Up! I'll have to take your advice and try doing the opposite. It might make a difference by the time I get to writing!

Debra Eckerling said...

Thanks, Linda! Mixing things up is always kind of fun ... Enjoy!

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