The Best Things to Do When You’re Stuck at Home & Feel Productive

Are you staying home more than you’d like? Check out these top things to do when you’re stuck at home. Beat the boredom while keeping safe.

2020 was, well, all a little bit ‘meh’. At first, you think “okay, see the positives, time to chill at home.” When that time turns into weeks and then months, the novelty is well and truly over! You’re forced to admit a total and utter state of boredom, and you are desperately searching for new things to do when you’re stuck at home. 

Nobody could have ever expected that our lives would be put on hold in the way that they have. While we wait for normality to be restored, it looks like we’re going to be stuck at home for a little while longer.

The best way to look at this time? Firstly, you’re staying safe and that’s a good thing. Secondly, you’re keeping others safe, which is also a good thing. However, you should also work towards discovering things to do when you’re stuck at home so that your time isn’t wasted.

There are many, many productive and fun things you can do within your own four walls, many of which are probably staring straight at you. You’re too focused on sitting in your pajamas and contemplating the state of boredom you’re in.

[Read: How to pass the time and make life in lockdown more inspiring]

Things to do when you’re stuck at home

It’s time to shake yourself and get creative with your time!

#1 Sort out your wardrobe. Yes, it might sound obvious but it’s one of those things that we put off until it reaches the point where you can’t fit anything else inside. There are likely to be countless outfits in that closet of yours which no longer fit, have never seen the light of day, or went out of fashion in 2008. 

Take everything out, throw it down on the bed, and work through each item one by one. If it hasn’t been worn in the last six months, it goes on the ‘donate to a charity store’ pile. If it doesn’t fit, it goes on the same pile, whether you think you’re going to get back into it or not. Or if you simply don’t like it, throw it on that pile. Then, take everything down to the charity store and gift it. Good deeds grow karma points! [Read: What to do when you’re bored at home with nothing to do]

#2 Have a household declutter. You don’t have to get into Feng Shui here, simply get rid of anything cluttering up your space and doesn’t really serve a purpose. A decluttered house means a decluttered mind.

You might also find that when you do try and do something which requires concentration, your productivity is higher as a result of not being surrounded by endless ‘stuff’! There might even be some things you can sell and earn some cash.

#3 Do the DIY jobs you’ve been putting off. Unless it’s something a professional need do, like gas or wiring related, there are many DIY jobs you can do yourself. Check YouTube and you’re sure to find a tutorial!

We put these small jobs off because we’re not sure how to approach them, but this is one of the best things to do when you’re stuck at home. No excuse about time constraints either! [Read: How to beat the quarantine blues and still love your life]

#4 Sort out your kitchen cupboards. A pack of flour that’s sat there since 2017? A tin of beans that’s been collecting dust? Clear out those kitchen cupboards and get rid of anything that’s past its sell by date! Again, you’ll feel decluttered and able to move around your kitchen more freely. This is another job we tend to put off, but it’s high up on the list of things to do when you’re stuck at home!

#5 Sit down and rewrite your resume. When was the last time your resume had an overhaul? Probably a while ago. With a little time on your hands, this is the ideal time to rewrite the whole thing. Spend some time looking at templates online, look at your old resume and identify the things that you want to keep, what can go, or needs an update. This is one task that will never be a waste of time and could be put to good use once the world returns to normality. 

#6 Chill your nerves and bake some bread. Let’s be honest, lockdown can be stressful. We’ve never been in this situation before, so it’s hard to know what to expect next. Relax, chill out, and do things which help you to feel calm.

Bake some bread! Seriously, baking bread is one of the most relaxing things you can do and the smell of baking bread is divine. Why do you think so many people jumped on the banana bread bandwagon last year? Try it for yourself. [Read: Follow these simple steps and take care of yourself emotionally] 

#7 Organize your devices. Most of us have a phone, laptop, and tablet. Whether or not you have more or less of these devices, they get clogged up with rubbish occasionally. One of the best things to do when you’re stuck at home is to declutter your devices and organize everything properly.

Delete the photos you don’t need, upload the ones you want to keep to The Cloud, sort out your favorites and bookmarks, and clear out your history. Videos taking up space? Delete! Basically make your devices faster and more streamlined.

#8 Reshape your eyebrows. No, I’m not running out of ideas, because reshaping your eyebrows is actually one of the best things to do when you’re stuck at home. It requires time, attention, concentration, and zero distractions – perfect timing! Give your brows an overhaul. Remember to never underestimate just what an eyebrow reshape can do for your face. It’ll be like a new you!

#9 Catch up on your Netflix list. Okay, it might not be productive, but how often do you have the time to watch everything on your Netflix list? It’s not likely to happen again, so make the most of it. However, do make sure you get up and move around occasionally as sitting still for too long is just not healthy! 

#10 Discover podcasts. If you’re like me, you might have been a little late to the podcast party. This is one of the best things to do when you’re stuck at home. Take the time to explore and find podcasts that inspire, entertain, or simply pass the time. Subscribe to the ones you enjoy, and you’ll have something new to look forward to. 

#11 Start writing your own journal. This isn’t something that only teenagers do. Writing a journal can actually be very good for your mental health. The pandemic has caused stress and anxiety.

Work through those emotions and don’t allow them to fester and grow within you. A journal is a great way to do that, while also giving you something to look back on in a few years’ time. [Read: How to feel happy – 13 proven strategies for instant happiness]

#12 Give yoga a try. Have you always wanted to go to a yoga class but were too scared to show just how inflexible you are? Well, why not attempt it at home? You have the time now and it’s a healthy habit to cultivate.

Head online or to YouTube and find a yoga class that you think you can follow. Work slowly and try a few poses every day. Both your mind and body will thank you for it. 

[Read: How to focus on yourself and create your own sunshine]

Don’t just sit and stare into the abyss! Try some of these things to do when you’re stuck at home! Get a little creative with your thinking and have some fun.

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