10 Things To Do While You're In Self-Isolation For COVD-19

Last updated on 29 December 2024

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase with one of these links, I recieve a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full Affiliate Policy.

In self-isolation and not sure what to do? Here are some ideas!

If you’re doing the right thing and staying at home in self-isolation, away from people, away from work and events, away from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) then yes! Well done. Let’s flatten out the curve, let’s stop this virus from spreading any further, let’s stay at home.

For some, staying at home in self-isolation is going to mean looking after kids, perhaps working your day job from your kitchen table. Perhaps you’re just as busy as usual, just inside your home-home. But what about on the weekends when you can’t go out? Maybe you’ve prepared your whole life for this: the craft supplies are stocked, the books you haven’t read for a decade and leaping with joy that they’ll finally get picked up, the show you began watching will finally be finished. For some of us, we know exactly how to spend our (potentially) weeks in isolation.

But for others, you may be scrambling for ideas as to what to do. Scramble no longer, my friends! Here are 10 ideas of things you can do while you’re in self-isolation, as well as links to sites that may be useful.

1. Read a book

Okay I know I know, but seriously though. If you get stuck into a good book, time flies by, and within no time you’ll find yourself emerging from a fantasy land of dragons and far off kingdoms to a world where COVID-19 is no longer and it’s safe to step outside. What I mean is that immersing yourself in good stories really passes time, and is entertaining. While you’re reading so much, why not make a Goodreads account and keep track?

Bonus tips

Check out my recent post on Feel-Good Books to read If you’re Self Isolating
Why not try a genre you haven’t tried before?
Your library might have access to eBooks and audiobooks! Do some research
Sign up to NetGalley
Re-read your favourite books
Launch into a series to keep the stories going
Start an online book club; whether it’s with your friends via a Facebook or WhatsApp message, on Instagram, Goodreads or Storygraph. Read the same book and chat about it!

2. Pick up a new hobby

You may not have all the things you need to pick up a new hobby but things like drawing or lettering you can do with pencils and pens. Things like paper folding only involve … paper. There are plenty of online hobbies you could take up too. Have you tried Skill Share? There are hundreds of online classes that teach you everything from animation to writing, from illustration to photography. Have a browse through and see what takes your fancy!

Some courses which appeal to me (and therefore maybe you’ll like them?):

3. Take stock of your wardrobe

When you’re not going out every day, perhaps now is the time to take a look through the wardrobe and figure out what you no longer wear. You’re not going to be able to take a box to the opshop/thrift store just yet, but if you make it up ready to go, you’ll be able to drop it to your nearest store when the world is a little healthier.

Tips for culling:

4. Catch up on TV shows

Stream services like Netflix, Neon, Amazon Prime, etc are going to do very well out of this. But if you are self-isolating at home then it is the perfect time catch up on all those shows and movies that you may have missed over the past wee while. You may even find new shows that you completely missed when it was released.

5. Yardwork

Have weeds growing in every patch of dirt in your yard? As well as getting some fresh air (you don’t have to be isolated solely inside your house – you can get into your own backyard!) you can spend a day sorting out the garden. While you’re at it, be sure your inside plants are doing okay, too.

6. Board games

If you’re anything like me then you’ll have a cupboard full of board games. Or even if you’re not and you have the same set of Monopoly or Trivial Pursuits you’ve had since the 90s, you still have something to play. Make it more interesting for your family by creating new rules for games that may have outdone their time.

Some of my favourite board games

Above and Below (2-4 players)
Raiders of the North Sea (2-4 players)
Takenoko (2-4 players)
Exploding Kittens (2-5 players, up to 9 with expansions)
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle (1-4 players)

7. Online or computer games

Not so keen on board games? Perhaps you live alone or with people who hate them? That’s okay! The online world doesn’t end when you’re in self-isolation. Download Origin and buy the base game of The Sims 4.

Or find all your old disc computer games in that box in the cupboard and find a computer that still has a disc drive. Go hard on those games. Just remember to get up and walk around, and remember to stretch and don’t spend all day on it. It’s not good for your body, and that’s what we’re trying to look after right now. Be sensible.

8. Online courses

Want to spend your time in self-isolation learning? As well as SkillShare, which I mentioned before, there are so many great educational videos, resources, and courses online that you can access, some of which are free. Check out some of these websites for courses and resources, or to get an idea as to what’s out there.

9. Learn a language

Now’s the perfect time to start learning that language you’ve always wanted to! When I was at school I did Spanish for a year. My mum is bilingual (English and Spanish), so it’s been a language that has been in my life from the beginning. While my correspondence Spanish class didn’t actually teach me much, I found downloading Duolingo really did. Duolingo is a fantastic way to learn a language, with written and oral tests and exercises you can do. You can even learn Klingon and High Valyrian!

Some languages you can learn on Duolingo:

10. Check in on each other

Remember we’re literally all in this together. Call your friends, send them a message, flick them an email. Check in on family members loved ones and your neighbours, not just for their physical health but for everyone’s mental health.

People were made to be in community, and one of the hardest things about isolation is that’s suddenly ripped away. Be sure to create a new sort of community, even if you’re only self-isolating for a little while. It’s important to keep talking to each other and checking in.

Being in self-isolation isn’t just for your protection; it’s for the world’s. We’re all in this together, and we all need to do our part. Hopefully, with these ideas you won’t be bored silly.

What other ideas do you have for things to do in self-isolation?

10 Things to do While You’re in Self Isolation