Hiya!

Well, it looks like we’re not going out for a while, huh?

I will say that, at the start, I didn’t think all that much about the entire coronavirus AKA COVID-19 pandemic initially. That’s saying something from someone who’s overall constitution is kinda crappy. I get the cold when I open up the freezer. That’s hyperbole, people! Not to downplay the entire “it’s a serious illness” and people are dying from it, but things have gotten really out of hand when you see people brawling over toilet paper, of all things. I guess they were scared shi… you get the joke.

Anywho, in the Philippines, while there aren’t any fistfights over toilet paper, the situation has still escalated. There was already a severe shortage of face mask a good month or so ago. Now, rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer is of short supply now. It certainly doesn’t help that Manila, the city I’m living in, is in lockdown. Malls have become ghost towns and even neighborhood stores are not opening up now. The general recommendation: Stay at home until things blow over.

That’s good advice and something I am on board with. It’s not like I like leaving my home to battle the heavy traffic and deal with the stress of a crowded workplace anyway. I am one of the lucky ones with a company that has allowed some of their employees to telecommute. Then again, thanks to the nature of my job, it’s something I’m been doing for a while. Yes, I still work hard but working from home does free up a lot of time as I don’t have to travel to and from work. I also do shun most social activities like going to bars and clubs because as I’m allergic to alcoholic beverages.

This is why I think I’m in a position to give advice on some of the things you can do if you’re new to the entire “don’t go out” unwritten rule that’s standard nowadays thanks to the coronavirus. So, go wash your hands, don’t touch your face and read on for some activities you can do with all that spare time you now have.

First thing you can do, and probably the best thing actually, is start getting some exercise. Yes, this probably isn’t the best way to start a “fun” list like this but it’s definitely the best thing you can do now, provided you aren’t convalescing from being infected by the coronavirus. I personally have started getting some workouts in and have seen some improvements with my overall health. I don’t get sick as often as I did when I was going to school or work since I did start doing some exercise. It’s not like I’ve become a buff gal because, one, I only do bodyweight exercises and yoga. The best thing about exercising at home is that it’s free. You don’t even need to subscribe to a workout program. Just go to YouTube and search for the workout you want to do!

While we’re on the topic of YouTube, this is another excellent time waster you can do while stuck at home. You probably already have a list of channels that you subscribe to so that’s already a ton of content ripe to binge watch right there. However, I do suggest you try looking at the stuff that YouTube recommends or search for some out of the way stuff there as there’s a lot of weird stuff that’s on the video site that you might not be aware of. I have seen a lot of weird Let’s Plays and even stand up routines from personalities that I never knew existed with this. If you’re really devious, you can even find a ton of unlicensed media. This is how I managed to watch each and every episode of The Mandalorian, even though we don’t have Disney+ here! You just have to know what to search for!

If you are stuck at home and unable to go out and that’s stressing you out, now might be the best time to actually Netflix and chill. You can even Amazon or Disney+ and chill if you want! We are definitely spoiled for choices nowadays when it comes to streaming services. Well, we don’t have Disney+ here in the Philippines but I have been subscribed to both Netflix and Amazon for a couple of years now so, with all the time I have not commuting and not going out, I have streamed a ton of stuff! I usually stream a lot of the old stuff I wasn’t able to watch when I was going to college. Even then, I still haven’t watched all the shows I really want to see! Evangelion has been on my Netflix list ever since it came out and I have yet to have seen a single episode!

While I still have yet to make a significant dent in my Netflix backlog, by video game backlog has been clearing up nicely! In fact, I have, right now, finished every game that I have played! Grand Theft Auto V? Cleared. Resident Evil 2 Remake? Beat both Claire and Leon’s Scenario B on Hardcore. Final Fantasy VIII? Got to level 99 and got every extra item. Super Mario Odyssey? Well, I beat it but I know I won’t get every Star in the game (because I just can’t do all the jumps properly) but I still beat it! If you’re going to be stuck at home with the coronavirus or avoid the virus, you might as well play some video games, right?

Another thing that makes video games a great activity to do when you’re supposed to be social distancing is that you can still connect with people! Play something like Fortnight and play with other online. In fact, I really wish there was something like PlayStation Home right now because wouldn’t that be the best? You can socialize with others in a virtual world without worrying about getting some germs! If actual playing games aren’t your thing, you can always go to Twitch and watch someone else play a game. While you’re there, join the chat and talk about the game with total strangers! It’s much more fun that I thought it was going to be!

However, you know what’s the best thing you can do while you’re holed up at home and limited from going out? You can use the time to learn a new skill. Yes, I’m ending this with post with something that seems really lame but, in actuality, it isn’t. For example, like the majority of people on the planet, I’m right-handed. However, I can now write very legibly using my left hand. I can’t write for very long without my fingers becoming some kind of claw but the mere fact that I can write an entire paragraph with my non-dominant hand felt like a huge accomplishment to me. It wasn’t even all that hard to learn how to do. All I did was set aside 1 to 2 minutes of my day writing with my left hand. I did it for around a couple of months and I can do it without really concentrating all that much. It doesn’t feel super natural but it does feel okay.

Of course, there are so many other things you can also learn. In fact, you can use the stuff I mentioned above to pick up a new ability. Right now, I’m watching Food Wars! on Netflix and I am dying to try out some of the cooking techniques they pull off there! I did try making the souffle omelette… but my first try was a failure as it managed to be both dark and deflated once I removed the lid! That doesn’t mean that I’ll give up though!

It may seem like the end of the world is happening outside thanks to the coronavirus but it doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom, you know. There are so many things you can do while stuck at home. The stuff I mentioned is just a small sample of some the activities that can be done while holed up at home.

Of course, you can also wash you hands, you filthy keyboard warrior!

Byee!

What other stuff can you do at home while social distancing yourself from the world? Let me know in the comments section below!