As someone who absolutely loves to travel, I know it can sometimes be hard to stay put for long durations. Whether it’s work, family obligations, finances or health, most of us go through periods in our life where we aren’t able to get out and enjoy the world as we usually do.
If you’re struggling with not being able to travel or leave home, here are some ideas to keep you happy so you can enjoy your time at home!
Make photo albums
Use this time to go through your favorite photos and make photo albums! Print out photos to frame, create a scrapbook or upload photos to a site that will create a beautiful book for you! My favorite site to use is Chatbooks because they are high quality, reasonably priced and there are tons of different book customization options. Note: if you use my referral link to create a book, you’ll get $10 off your first order!
Spend time with your pets
Snuggling up with my pup always lifts my spirits! And I know my dog, Thunder, loves when I spend more time at home.
If you don’t have a pet, offer to pet sit for a friend, volunteer at a local animal shelter or foster an animal who needs a temporary home.
Do a guided meditation
OK, I’ll be honest here…. I used to think meditation was kind of silly. You just sit and breathe??
BUT, guided meditation apps have totally changed my outlook! Trust me, they are more useful in de-stressing and uplifting than you may realize. And many of the guided meditation apps have free trials so you can try it out to see how you feel about meditation before fully committing.
Light candles or diffuse some essential oils
I know this sounds simple but you’d be surprised how much a scent can lift your mood!
One of my favorite candles is Orange Blossom and every time I light it, it’s like being transported back to Bali. I’ve also fallen in love with essential oil diffusers and love finding specific scents for each time of the day — for example, I’ll choose an energizing oil for the morning and a lavender oil for nighttime. It’s so relaxing!
Have a movie night in
Many of us mindlessly watch TV out of boredom, sure, but having a movie night can be more fun than that! Convert your living room into a comfy theater with a pillow bed and comfy blankets, make a big bowl of popcorn and pour yourself a glass of wine.
You know when someone says to you “I can’t believe you’ve never seen that movie, it’s a classic”? Now is the time to watch it!
Stay active
Taking a nice long walk, hike or just getting out into nature is a great way to boost your mood and stay active. Or try out an online workout video or yoga class — there are tons of free options on YouTube!
I absolutely love the Peloton app and bike (although you don’t need to have the bike to use their app for workout classes!). The app itself is just $12.99 / month and includes strength, cardio, stretching, yoga and meditation classes.
Connect with family + friends
In this digital age, even if we’re far apart geographically, it doesn’t mean we can’t see our family and friends. With FaceTime, Skype and tons of other video chat options, it’s easy to schedule a face-to-face chat with a friend. You could even schedule a virtual happy hour!
Have a spa day at home
Having some time to pamper myself always makes me feel better! Whether it’s a bubble bath, a soothing face mask, or giving myself a manicure, I always feel refreshed and relaxed after.
I recently bought an at-home gel nail kit on Amazon for only $28. Also, if you’re curious, these are my favorite face masks and my go-to hair mask (which I leave on overnight!).
Learn from someone you admire
I find that listening to successful, accomplished people that I admire often inspires my creativity and boosts my productivity.
Listen to a podcast or watch a YouTube video by someone you admire or browse TED Talks and discover new people to learn from.
There are so many online learning destinations now, you can learn a new skill from places like Skillshare or MasterClass.
Improve your cooking skills
While I don’t love to cook all the time, I find that when I have plenty of time on my hands, it can be really fun to try out a new cooking or baking recipe. Browse Pinterest or Instagram for recipe inspiration and try your hand at one of those delicious looking cakes that you’ve been eyeing!
Make a picnic and dine alfresco
Pack up some charcuterie, sandwiches, fruit salad, wine, etc. and head to your nearest beach, park or even your own backyard for some alfresco dining! We all have to eat so why not mix up the location and get some vitamin D at the same time?!
I love this adorable picnic set and blanket — it makes packing a picnic that much easier.
Create a mood board or bucket list
Whether you’re planning a trip for the future, thinking about redesigning your home, or just want to get inspired for a project, starting a mood board or list of ideas can be a fun way to start the process. Create a folder on your desktop or a new board on Pinterest and start looking for inspiration!
Order yourself a present online
Sometimes a little retail therapy can really lift the spirits! While you’re at home and have time to do a little online shopping, support small businesses and find unique goods on sites like Etsy. Or you could send a gift to a friend and make their day!
Make a music playlist
I love finding new artists and songs that aren’t already on the radio or the Top 40 hits! With music programs like Spotify, it’s so easy to find new music and follow others who have similar tastes in music than you. I know putting on my favorite playlist while I’m cooking or cleaning really lifts my mood while I’m at home!
Find out if you have a green thumb
Pick up some seeds and start a little garden! I’ve recently started a little herb garden with basil, sage, cilantro and dill and it’s been so fun watching it grow and getting to use the fresh herbs in my cooking.
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