Depending on where you are in Australia, there is definitely a good chance that you are in lockdown. Now lockdowns are hard and there is a lot that may be running through your head and that is totally okay. We are not sure when they will end, but all this time at home can have its advantages.
Now that you are at home for a lot of the time, here are a few things that you can do to keep yourself sane and use up some of the time while we are all stuck inside.
Check out Open Culture for a wealth of FREE movies and docos along with all the other streaming services out there
Now it might seem like a very obvious inclusion on this list, but with so many people connected online, now is the perfect chance to dive into the library of movies and television shows that are out there. There is of course the usual Netflix and Stan subscriptions that you can get, along with new ones like Amazon Prime, Disney+ and Paramount+. Additionally, I have to include YouTube, the famed platform which I find myself viewing at ridiculous times of the morning, something that my brain does not thank me for. But all of those, aside from YouTube, are platforms that you have to pay for, and why pay if you can have something for free?
Have a look at a website called Open Culture, which has 1,500 free movies and documentaries which you can explore. There is modern day stuff and a whole lot of older movies. Something a little different than watching Brooklyn 99 or Harry Potter on repeat.
Write – Have a go at the SBS Emerging Writers Competition
If you are a budding writer like me, or simply believe that your story is one worth being told, then check out the SBS Emerging Writers Competition. This competition, which closes on 16 September, is an opportunity for you to write your story for a chance to win part of a $10,000 prize pool.
For this year, the writing theme is ‘Between Two Worlds: stories from a diverse Australia’. This topic allows plenty of room for you to write your very own memoir piece. The word limit is between 1,000 to 2,000 words, so go nuts and let the writing juices flow. For more information and to register, check it out here.
Deep clean and declutter your house
If you’re stuck at home, why not go through everything that you actually have at home. See what clothes don’t fit you anymore, deep clean the house so that when people are allowed to come over, that it is nice and clean, and see what treasures you can uncover. Who knows, you might have a goldmine of old stuff that you can sell for a profit. Create a mess in order to get rid of mess. Plus it is a good way of feeling like you are being productive.
Plan a holiday
In some parts of the country, it is a bit hard to take a holiday at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan a future holiday. Go online and see what you can find in different areas either near you or in far away places. Once the country opens up again, go where the mood takes you.
Don’t discount international travel either. It might feel like a long while away, but once the borders open, the world is your oyster, to use an overly used analogy. If you have ever wanted to go over to Europe, you will be able to go, and you can use this time to imagine your dream getaway. Plus, I would imagine that flights and hotels would be a bit cheaper given they have had no one for a long, long time.
Check out Wanderlog, a complete free and easy to use app where you can plan any kind of trip. You can create your very own itinerary, flights and hotels and where you want to visit and then share it with others. Go nuts as now is the literal best time to dream where you want to go.
Learn another language
Possibly to help you for when you do go overseas, why not invest in learning another language? According to The World Atlas, there are about 7,099 languages spoken in the world. It is probably a little hard to learn all of them but why not start with just one and see how you go. Check out any language-learning platform online such as Duo Lingo, which is totally free, unless you want to pay for the premium features. Then you can enrich your brain with another language which may come in handy for whenever you need it.
Study – less distractions from the outside world
Finally, this lockdown is a great opportunity to get good study done. While online lectures for all those on campus students isn’t ideal, there is a lot you can get done when there are less distractions around you. Like with cleaning and decluttering, if you are stuck inside, use that time to be productive. And what’s better than using the time to invest in your future by raising your grades.
Don’t forget though…
Most importantly of all, make sure to look after yourself. Do some exercise, get out into the sunlight occasionally and try to keep yourself healthy, both body and mind. Times are tough but they won’t go on forever. Reach out to people if you need and be there for others, because now is a time when people need people most. You are amazing, and never forget that.
