Fun things to do (inside your condo) during lockdown

Getting in and out of lockdown has been daunting. We've exhausted our Netflix list, had one Zoom game night too many, and grown weary of the constant updates on local coronavirus statistics. What else is there to do when you're stuck in your condo during lockdown?

Don't worry - there's still tons to do.

While we wait for this latest lockdown, check out Panda7's list of all the fun things to do inside your condo while following the COVID-19 restriction protocol.

Try a new streaming subscription.

Netflix may be the "big name," but there are plenty of other movie streaming platforms you can try, even if just for a free trial, that offer tons of opportunities to try new movies or TV shows you've never seen before. Amazon Prime, Hulu, Crave, and Kanopy all offer free trials, to name just a few. There are also various platforms that offer movies for free if you're on a tight budget.

If a big action movie isn't in the mood right now, try a documentary about history, nature, or crime. There are many subscription services and even free websites where you can access a wide range of great and interesting documentaries.

Be creative.

Do you have a passion project you've been putting off due to lack of time? No worries! With the new home-based work schedule and limited opportunities to go out, we have more time than ever to indulge our artistic side. Perhaps you'll channel your pent-up frustrations from lockdown into a new song, a novel, a poem, or a work of art.

Try a fitness challenge.

We're not alone in feeling like our fitness goals have been put on hold thanks to the pandemic. If you're eager to get back to the gym or have always wanted to start taking better care of your fitness and health before the pandemic, you can check out the assortment of fitness challenges available on YouTube and other social media platforms. From Chloe Ting to 75 Hard, there are so many different fitness challenges that are free to access virtually—and many don't even require any equipment! You can do them from the comfort of your condo.

Learn a new language.

Have you always wanted to learn a foreign language but never had the time or motivation? Now's your chance. There are many free apps you can download (such as Duolingo, HelloTalk, etc.) or you can sign up for an online course. Perhaps when restrictions are lifted, you'll know enough about another language to converse fully with the locals on your next vacation!

Declutter.

Being stuck in our condos for so long, we're starting to think about the necessity of the things we own. Maybe you really don't need those forty-two summer outfits, or that old fifth-grade homework, or maybe that stack of books you've read a dozen times would be better served if you donated them to your local library or your neighbors.

If you're a former student, you might even want to consider selling your old textbooks on an online marketplace. Who knows? You might even make some money.

Take a first aid course.

This pandemic has truly made us rethink what it means to take care of our health. Are you trained in first aid? Not everyone is, or many people's first aid training has expired or is outdated. Now would be a good time to take a first aid course to prepare for an emergency, whether for yourself or someone else. This is especially important now, as many emergency centers are overwhelmed and unable to provide additional personnel for more minor injuries.

Try a meal kit service.

Meal kit services like HelloFresh and Chef's Plate are gaining popularity, and for good reason. When time is less of a factor, we might want to explore expanding our palates and try new dinner options. These meal services let you choose from a variety of meal options each week. They can even label their calorie and nutritional value, the approximate time needed to prepare each meal, allergens, and more. What better way to jump on the health bandwagon than by trying new dishes?

Take care of your mental well-being.

Before the pandemic hit, most of us probably lived hectic lifestyles. From working 9-to-5 jobs to struggling to finish our to-do lists late into the night, we face a lot of stress in our lives. But what could be more stressful than a global pandemic?

Practicing mindfulness and trying meditation can help condo residents focus and appreciate life for what it is in the moment. Since this is much easier said than done, there are many resources, books, and virtual apps you can use to guide you on your journey to mental well-being.

Learn a new skill.

While there are many platforms and courses through which you can learn a new skill, there are also plenty of free tutorials you can use to teach yourself. From learning to knit to playing the piano, numerous YouTube and wikiHow tutorials are available to get you started. If you have a friend or relative who knows these skills, you can host a Zoom party to learn from them! This way, you get some social interaction while acquiring a new skill you can show off after the pandemic.

If you're looking for something a little less useful but just as fun, you can use apps like TikTok to learn dances, songs, or even trendy fun tricks to teach your pet (if you have one).

Overall, there are plenty of things to do while you're stuck at home in your condo! While being confined can be discouraging, it doesn't mean we have to do nothing and simply wait for it to be over. We hope this list of fun things to do has helped keep you occupied while vaccines begin to be rolled out.