Things to do while self isolating, adults and kids!

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Figured I'd start a thread and compile a list of things people are doing, or have found to do, while self-isolating. I figure that the more ideas and options there are in one place, the easier this will be for everyone to get through.

So, let's kick it off!

  • Crafting like crochet, knitting, sewing, felting, painting, rug making, etc.

  • Getting out into the garden. The weeds won’t stand a chance.

  • Plant some seeds and watch them grow into food for you/the family. Depending on what seeds you plant, this could be a short or a long activity.
  • Jigsaw puzzles. Once done with the ones you've got, do a no contact swap with someone else so you've got more to keep you busy.

  • Practice your musical instrument. Amazon probably have some new books for you to learn some new tunes from!

  • Sing along a YouTube to entertain yourself, and the neighbours!

  • Write a memoir of your life.

  • Write a poem, short story, novel, etc. Whatever is in your head.
  • With the kids, why not start a family newpaper? You could write it, draw it, and stick it all together. Do one a week, one a day, whatever suits.
  • Finish/start a memory book for the children/family.

  • Finish/start the admin you've been putting off - death or otherwise.

  • Keep a diary, embellished or actual.

  • Get that spring cleaning done. Great time for emptying out all those cupboards all over the house to give them a scrub and bin anything that's no longer needed!

  • Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, etc

  • Video chat with friends and family all over the world - an app called Houseparty works quite well apparently.

  • Send letters/cards to nursing homes who are currently allowed no visitors.

  • Phone friends and family, especially those who are isolated home alone with no family for company.

  • Teach yourself or brush up on those DIY skills! Amazon can deliver just about anything to you, so why not try making something for the house, or repairing whatever it is that's been bugging you and you never thought you had time to do before!

  • Brush up on those baking skills. See how creative you can be with what's in your cupboards like your very own ready steady cook! Get the kids involved too, because cooking and baking are brilliant skills to have! Do let us know what the weirdest ingredient is you manage to use - that long forgotten tin or jar in the back of the cupboard that you find something amazing to make with it!

  • Get a pet. You being stuck home will give you a taste of how they feel in the shelter. If you've space in your home, and the time to dedicate to a wee beastie even after quarantine, then why not make enquiries? Even with quarantine, you're still allowed to go for walks in the fresh air, just keep 6 feet between you and the next person.

  • Exercise! Plenty of routines on all number of apps and youtube! Why not have a nose and an explore, see if there's something that appeals to you, or at least gives you a giggle when you try it!

  • Learn a new language! There are free apps like Duolingo that you can try, or if you have a few pennies then there are plenty of courses to pay for too!

  • That book you've not finished/picked up yet because you're often too tired or too busy? Perfect time to get stuck in and see what happens next!
  • Put up some bird feeders in the garden where you can see them. Some of the antics of the birds, squirrels, and who knows what that might visit are sometimes better than the TV!
  • Have a couple of duvet days and just chill out. Can't feel guilty when you're not supposed to be anywhere else!
  • The charity called Shine - for patients 20 - 49 - are holding an online book club for people to join in with.
  • Lots of theatres and performers are putting their stuff online so you can still 'see a show/concert', just from your house.
  • Independent cafes and restaurants are really going to be struggling at the moment, so why not buy yourself a voucher as something to look forward to after this is all done and dusted? Alternatively, some of them are starting to offer takeaway where they usually wouldn't. So have a look online at your local restaurants, and even butchers/bakers/fishmongers/etc, to see who is offering delivery, then try and support them where you can to help them through this time!
  • Have a pamper session! Get in some nice creams and potions for your skin, nails, hair, whatever you've got that needs a bit of TLC and do yourself a spa day or two! Guys you can do it too and no need to be shy, because you're isolated - so no one will be a twat and judge you! Your skin needs love too!
  • Write a blog
  • For those with children, this has kept us quite busy today. If you type an animals name into Google (on an iPhone or Android) and then press ‘View in 3D’. It brings up your camera and then 30 seconds later you have a tiger in your house! You can take a photo of the kids with them and they can walk around it.
  • You Tube videos - watch them or make them. Cute animal ones are often fun!
  • Send a loved one a free biscuit
  • The Turn of the Screw

  • The Ring Cycle

  • 1984, the ballet

  • Dracula - Northern Ballet has proved that it can tell any story through dance, but Dracula is particularly well-suited to adaptation. Bram Stoker’s haunting tale of an ancient vampire at large in 19th Century England is full of seduction, temptation and obsession. Dracula will be released on BBC iPlayer in the coming weeks as part of BBC’s Culture in Quarantine Season. 

  • Panda Cam

  • Night of the Living Dead Remix, and Oh The Night

  • Project Intimacy

  • Free courses to teach yourself something new from Open Learn
  • Free kids books if you have an e-reader
  • A list of more things to do, including online museum tours! Too many things to list, but do click and have a browse!
  • Photography projects for around the home and garden
  • PE routines!
  • Free films
  • 2 free tomb raider games to play!
  • Play boardgames with your friends, online!
  • Free audible catalogue
  • London theatre shows to watch online
  • Broadway Shows  - 7 day free trial
  • Free audio Children's Stories
  • Marquee TV. Watch Ballet, plays, etc - 30 day free trial. 
  • A play is broadcast every night for free
  • Free Musicals and Plays to watch online
  • Wind in the Willows the musical from the West End!

  • 30 day lego build challenge
  • NTL will show a play every Thursday
  • Oklahoma with Hugh Jackman

  • Reserved

I'll update this first post as more suggestions are added, that way folks don't need to scroll through the whole thread to find things! 

So..... Whatcha got?

Lass

Xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    OH MY GOODNESS this is fantastic and overwhelming, in a good way, all at once. Have you shared this on facebook or in some way it can be more widely shared as it is awesome?!?

  • Heya

    Welcome to the group. 

    I'm glad you like the post, there are a few hours work in it so it's nice to hear that folks find it of use.

    I have rewritten it and shared it publicly on Facebook, but it was pretty much ignored by the folks I have on there. I also did one of all the local suppliers and producers who would post food and drink to your house. I don't care if others don't use that one, because I do! It's been a lifesaver, and a curse. Lol. I found a place that sells food that's past its sell by date. They package multiples together, then sell them at GREATLY reduced prices! I got 20 bars of kellogs chocolate and almond cereal bars for £2.95. Also for £2.95, I got 9 packets of Walkers Sensations sharing crisps. So yeh..... I've got lots of junk food in the house right now, and booze. What more do you need? XD

    Hope you find some interesting things on the list to do! 

    Lass

    Xx

    I have no medical training, everything I post is an opinion or educated guess. It is not medical advice.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Lass

    Thanks for your welcome. I've not been using these groups recently but follow Macmillan on Facebook who were promoting them and thought I'd try again. 

    Would Macmillan share your list, or adapt it for their website? Then do a Facebook promotion and link. Would you know who to ask?

    Im expecting that this lockdown will be longer for people, like me, who are being 'Shielded' for medical reasons. We are going to need ongoing support to keep physically and mentally active over the next few months. Lists of inspiration with easy links to get straight to tfe page or whatever are going to be really helpful.  

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Lizzie 

    I have just posted a welcome in the PIP stream. I can see you’re a step ahead of me. 

    I can flag this post up with the community site moderators if you like. They repeat the people to give you advice on how to take this forward.

    You seem really proactive! I find that these days I have to limit my horizons to really small groups, and just be in touch with the people I know and share the things that I enjoy with them. But I do admire those who want to take things further

    Xx

  • Heya, 

    They promoted it on the front page as a featured post so hopefully a few more folks outwith the group saw it. 

    They also sent it around in the internal staff memo/newsletter as well. So anyone reading those in the Macmillan staff will have at least been made aware of it.

    I believe in the terms and conditions somewhere it says that anything posted becomes the property of Macmillan, so they're all free to do with it as they please. And even if it doesn't say that and it's another website I'm thinking of, they're still welcome to do as they please with it. Lol. 

    I got the shielding letter a few days ago too. Not sure if they've expanded the criteria to get it because of everything going on and how badly it's shown to have been for some, or what's going on there. But it makes no difference, as I can't walk or stand for long, I can't go anywhere anyway. Lol. 

    Lass

    Xx

    I have no medical training, everything I post is an opinion or educated guess. It is not medical advice.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Thank you I got it. I read your profile, ur at least skimmed over it as it's late ... good grief is all I can say ... you've had a rough time!

    I think 'limiting' ourselves to what is important to us helps sustain our energy for those things and is absolutely the right thing to do. 

    Im feeling better than I have in months however and although my priorities remain my close family and friends I seem to have energy for a little bit more just now. I also need to keep my mind active during this 3 months (or more) of Shielding. 

    Thank you for your messages and take care x

  • A few things to add today!

    Chichister Theatre will be streaming The Midnight Gang from the 30th of April and then Beauty and The Beast from the 21st of May. They'll be free to watch, and up for a month each. - https://www.cft.org.uk/news/the-midnight-gang-and-beauty-and-the-beast-to-be-streamed-online-from-cft

    Tomorrow night, Gecko will be streaming their show "Institute" for free on YouTube. They are a physical theatre company, but beyond that I'm not sure I'm afraid. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BYR9XmYR2s&feature=youtu.be

    This Thursday is Frankenstein, as shown by NTL, and we've some big names this week with Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature and Jonny Lee Miller as Victor Frankenstein. Then watch Frankenstein with Jonny Lee Miller as the creature and Benedict Cumberbatch as Victor Frankenstein from Friday 1 May.

    This Friday, The Shows Must Go On are showing a concert from the Royal Albert Hall in 1998. Again, we've some big names including Elaine Paige, Glenn Close, Sarah Brightman, Tina Arena, Antonio Banderas, Donny Osmond, and Michael Ball, among others and you've got 48 hours in which to watch it.

    Southwark Playhouse are streaming 4 of their shows, including a rock musical featuring the Bronte Sisters...... https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/streaming/

    Don't forget the online international theatre festival, running from the 15th of April to the 15th of May! https://thetheatretimes.com/iotfestival2020/

    Only The Brave, a new musical about soldiers at the D-Day landings - https://vimeo.com/403297083

    21 Chump Street by Lin-Manuel Miranda - https://youtu.be/ELBGa6-uOhc

    Ghost Quartet - https://youtu.be/dJSaEJm8pCE

    MK Ultra - https://youtu.be/Tw5ldYRuhco

    5 Soldiers - https://youtu.be/2urN4ESejFo

    Timpson, The Musical - https://youtu.be/LfzOOWCi8Ag

    Eugenius, The Musical - www.facebook.com/watch/?v=519159602015175

    The Bristol-based puppetry and theatre company have shared their show The Depraved Appetite of Tarrare the Freak online, a chamber opera that charts the story of a sideshow freak in 18th-century Pariswho serves as a spy for the French Revolutionary Army. - https://vimeo.com/201758331

    Deluxe by the Balletboyz - https://www.balletboyz.com/whatson
    And I think that's plenty to see you through another week!
    Lass
    xx

    I have no medical training, everything I post is an opinion or educated guess. It is not medical advice.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Lass

    Wow! Thanks . Some cool stuff there.

    I can add a link to a project from Newcastle University doing some clever stuff to compile playlists of music designed to soothe the breast made anxious by the lock down. 

    Anyone wanting to listen to the playlists should visit the Recovery College Online website at www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk/music-for-wellbeing

    xx