We’ve all been stuck at home before. Our lives – whether on a scale of ‘influencer’ to ‘owns a pet turtle’ – can get dull and ‘meh’ from time to time. With COVID-19 forcing us all indoors and scrambling for things to do in quarantine, it’s easy to let the boredom consume us. Some of us are taking it in our stride (we're looking at you, introverts), while others are losing track of time, their identities, and the entire concept of normality.

At Unspiration, we say embrace it. Release that inner weirdo in lockdown and let one thing in this strange new world feel free to express itself.

Not sure how? Don’t worry, we’ve put together a list of what to do in quarantine when bored.

 

A list of quarantine activities to prove you are forever lost to normality

 

1. Throw online parties

 

Host a Zoom party

Sure, it’s never going to be the same as the real deal, but who’s to say you can’t redecorate your house, order supplies, get dressed up, invite everyone you know to join Zoom, and party like the world is ending?

Online parties are all the rage right now. Whether it’s a neon rave with ‘DJ Dave’ playing his best DnB mix, a quintessential tea party with your besties, or celebrations for those with terribly timed birthdays, Zoom has your back.

 

Set up an alternative Netflix party

Fancy something a little less busy? Take it down a notch and have a quiet night in with some friends. Throw on your Sadflix t-shirt, order some pizza and fizz from Deliveroo, and settle in to watch your favourite Netflix show with your mates on mute.

 

 

Embrace quarantine birthday ideas

Let your creativity run wild! Think video montages, homemade decorations, cake making, a google museum tour, art attack, makeovers, home spas, fancy restaurant recreations, and anything else that achingly bored brain of yours can conjure.

 

2. Plan lockdown holidays like there's no tomorrow

With so many plans cancelled and so many trips missed, it’s easy to fall into holiday despair. But fear not! All it takes is some childlike imagination and a few makeshift supplies before you can take in the sights, sounds and tastes of anywhere in the world.

Take a virtual stroll through the cobbled streets of Bruges; sip coffee in any Parisian café; dance the flamenco in Spain, or take in the views of Lake Como in Italy. The world is your oyster! All you need is google maps, a good soundtrack, some local delicacies, and a can-do attitude. Oh, and this cheery little poster in the background.

 

Pandemic MasterChef

Let’s be honest, cooking can be a bit of a drag sometimes. After coming home from a long day at work and being stuck on a busy commute, the last thing we want to do is spend ages cooking and plating up our food.

Fast forward to COVID-19 and we have the perfect excuse to hone our mastery over the culinary arts. With the days all morphing into one, who cares when you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner? Mix it up!

All you need to get started is a YouTube tutorial channel, your best apron, a realistic goal (such as this ‘Overpromise & Underdeliver’ slogan) and the required ingredients. Sound good? Great. Ready, steady, cook.

 

 

4. Learn how to cut your own hair

Once the quarantine measures are lifted, hairdressers are going to experience a newfound appreciation for their mastery.

In the interim, we’re all at home searching for easy ways to keep our locks in check. Some of us are being brave and letting loved ones butcher our tresses, while others are experimenting with hair dye, fringes and chop-jobs that scream ‘help me.’

Whichever category you fall into, there’s a bunch of people making the same hideous mistakes. Well, if you can’t beat them?

 

5. Dress up to go nowhere

They say a lockdown was designed to help people rediscover the joyfulness of simple things. Not all of them can be done at home but dressing up surely can.

Set modesty aside — people have been dressing up for thousands of years (and have got away with it).

You’re free to dress up for all sorts of reasons.

Because you were born to impress.

Because it’s time to unwind.

Because you find it postmodern-ish to imitate art that imitates life whilst life is on hold. (Check out #betweenartandquarantine on Instagram for some unspiration.)

Because this is a proven way to become someone else.

Because it annoys others.

Because if you’ve got it (sleek style, weird sense of humour, nice elbows), it’s just utterly wrong not to flaunt it, innit?

 

6. Make kids’ activities at home great again

Anyone in lockdown with offspring is, arguably, having the worst time out of everyone.

Although it’s tempting to buy your children funny gaiters to keep their mouths shut or make them sit in front of a loading bar poster until they fall asleep, there are other ways to stem their boredom and retain your sanity.

 

Children’s Zoom birthday party

Kids love being weird. It’s their thing.

By hosting a Zoom party for the poor birthday boy/girl, then backing away like you’ve accidentally stumbled upon a snake pit, the younglings will spend hours making faces and showing each other their belongings.

Add in a traditional ‘birthday cake candle blow-out’ while everyone sings along, and you’ll win at parenting.

 

The coolest Zoom backgrounds

One way to engage yourself and your children in those 40-minute family chats is to utilise Zoom’s random backgrounds. You can download some strange and, quite frankly, horrifying ones from the internet to keep those calls interesting. We dare you.

© Zach Love

 

Fun lockdown experiments

There are so many ways you can incorporate learning and fun, which is why DIY STEM activities are so popular in lockdown. Embrace the mess with volcanoes made from bicarb and sand, catapults from lolly sticks and rubber bands, and crystals from Epsom salt and food colouring.

You’re welcome. Remember, there's no going back.