First off, let me say, truly with the deepest sincerity from my heart to yours that we all have different struggles which leads to our varying perspectives in and on life, right? I get that truly, I do.
What I am not patient with or understand during this time or ever is the excuse of boredom or laziness.
If YOUR life is special, and it is, it shouldn’t matter what your peers, teachers, bosses, friendly regulars think of you regardless of what is going on in the world.
I believe that our world has gotten so caught up in the need for approval from others that now with extra time at home, some of us literally don’t know what to do or how to function. We don’t know how to do the things we always did because maybe they were being done for the wrong reasons…for approval, attention, acceptance, and so much more.
Beloved, you and I, STILL have the same audience we always have…we still have the ONLY audience that matters…God!
We are to be living our life fully for Him anyway!
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” Colossians 3:23
I mean even in prison, Paul found a way to be busy and keep his mind and time focused on Jesus and the church!
Philippians 1:12-14, “ I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
I see too many times people saying, “I am bored. Hit me with your favorite movies.” But there is soooooooo much more to life and so much more to do, even now!
WHAT WE CHOOSE TO FOCUS ON impacts our overall being…our spiritual, emotional, psychological, mental, and physical being. There is SO MUCH TO GET DONE!
Even if you are choosing not to go in your yard or on your patio (which I do NOT advise as Vitamin D from the sun is essential for your overall health!), there are countless things you can get done during this extra time at home.
We could make a list a mile long but instead will start with half a mile. Be encouraged, my friend. There is just as much to do now as there always was…maybe we just have to retrain our brains to know that God TRULY is everywhere and none of what we do goes unnoticed or unseen ever!
So, to that end, here is a list we have compiled to keep you busy…so busy in fact, you may not have time for that depressing, mind and soul-draining thing called the news or social media!
Be forewarned, you may experience a rejuvenation for your life and appreciation for your home and family and God while you’re at it! Maybe you develop a new skill or business or gain your health back! It is entirely possible that we are on the cusp of a revival and maybe your are on the cusp of your own renewal and revival in your life and home as well, and you just don’t know it yet!
The possibilities really are endless!
Our yards may look the best they ever have! Our homes could be well organized and thoroughly tended to and clean! Our connections to our family and friends maybe even tighter than before. Our hearts may have more peace. Our desire for the hurting and lonely and suffering even deeper and richer. Our longing to serve and love stronger. This could be the beginning of something beautiful, depending on which vantage point we decide to look through!
QUARANTINE ACTIVITIES DEPENDING ON YOUR LEVEL OF LOCKDOWN
COMPLETELY STAYING INSIDE THE WHOLE TIME…NOT EVEN TO YOUR BACKYARD
(I do NOT advise this! Vitamin D from the sun is so essential for your health! This is just to prove there should be no such thing as boredom during this extra time at home.)
1. Pray and study the word of God.
Every morning when you wake up, thank God for the gift of another day, breath in your lungs, a roof over your head, and food. When your children or roommates wake up, pray with them as well.
Study the word! Have your alone time with God! Have family time in the Word. Meet online for group bible studies. There is no such thing as too much time in the word!
Pray for our country, our world, and mainly for a revival and that God would bring countless souls to Him and heal our land!
Grab a devotional to develop those eyes to see God everywhere if you would like to add to your time in the word!
2. Reconnect with old friends.
This can be old friends or family you just haven’t had the time to catch up with before all of this came to fruition!
3. Start an exercise routine.
This doesn’t have to be super intense if you are starting from scratch. You can simply do som low impact exercises and start where you are! There are so many at-home programs going on right now! Some of them have a 2 week free trial period! Right now I am doing a 28-day challenge with my old gym from Houston and it’s so nice to see the familiar faces.
Just don’t overthink it and go for it! If you need some encouragement or ideas, I have quite a few trainer friends that post workouts online you can follow!
4. Start a garden!
No, this doesn’t have to be done outside! There are so many options for grow lights inside or growing containers that do it all, just be creative and go for it!
5. Take an ONLINE class!
There are countless places right now offering FREE classes! Everything from photography classes to cooking to piano and fitness and so much more!
Use this time to learn a new skill! Who knows what it may turn into?
6. READ A Good book!
Grab a book off your bookshelf you never had the chance to read, or one you haven’t read in a while. Or order a book you have been meaning to read. (You could check this one out if you need ideas..just saying) Now is a great time for a book with a cup of tea!
7. Start a new self-care routine!
Some of us have been so busy before that we didn’t take the time to just take a nice soaking bath, or do a face mask or order those special products you have been saving up for.
8. Have a Scavenger Hunt or Escape Room Game!
My girls are always doing these and get the biggest thrill out of them!
9. Enjoy puzzles and board games!
You can enjoy these solo or with your family! A fun way to engage your mind on something that requires focus and fun!
10. Start a business!
Have you always loved crocheting and would love to start your own online crochet business? Maybe you’re a fitness trainer and your gym has shut down…start your own online training program!
Now is the time! The possibilities are truly endless! Find someone you admire and reach out to them for help. Not everyone is willing or has the time or resources to help, but some will! Be creative and intentional!
If you wanna do it right and get all legitimate, you can do that online with this company who is #1 in their business, the best out there and even start for FREE!
My daughters have quite the knack for finding as well as making their own custom jewelry and have launched a little business for it!
11. Completely organize your home!
Along with this, I should say that this is also about making a list of varying items you need to purchase to get your house in order!
KITCHEN
- Organize and go through your kitchen cabinets from the pots and pans to the pantry to the seasonings and more!
- Make a list of the food your family enjoys and likes to keep on hand. Put it inside your pantry door or on your fridge. It makes an easy shopping list and you can see what you are low on and constantly add to the list as you get organized.
- Once the food list is done, go through the food and trash anything that is expired, but first, you can empty the container in the trash and clean the container and recycle it. Also, go through your freezer and deep freeze at this time.
- Dust the tops of cabinets and fridge and anything else up high.
- Wipe down all cabinets.
- Check all appliances’ functionality and the garbage disposal and make a note of any repairs needed.
- If needed, order new water filters for the fridge, lightbulb for the oven, and any other miscellaneous kitchen needs.
- Check to be sure you have an up to date fire extinguisher and where it is located. If outdated, do NOT discard, but get a new one.
BATHROOM
- Go through your storage area…whether that’s under the sink or a linen closet or shelving unit and check all expiration dates on vitamins, meds, and anything else you keep in there.
- Go through makeup and discard old makeup that has been opened and not used. Set aside unopened makeup that you don’t plan on using for a donation once things open back up.
- Clean hairbrushes.
- Make a list of anything you need to purchase to update your bathroom…whether its makeup, vitamins, or hairbrushes.
- Organize your drawers with intention and attention to detail and space. Make it practical.
- Switch to a healthier hand soap. You can click here to see why that matters so much and which we recommend.
- Go through towels and any that are stained or torn or no longer needed, either set them aside for your pets or garage projects or for a donation to H&M once stores open back up.
- Add a water filter (if you don’t already have one) to your showerhead.
- Clean toothbrushes in colloidal silver. Order new ones if needed.
- Deep clean bathroom with either colloidal silver or this non-toxic cleaner we use. No toxic chemicals or fumes.
- Clean the drains…sinks, tub, and shower with drain cleaner flexible sticks. You can find them online!
- Make a list of anything that needs to be fixed or ordered.
BEDROOM
- Go through your closet. Be honest with yourself about what you actually wear. Make a giveaway, sell, and donate pile! For the giveaway pile, if you have another family member around the same size (my oldest daughter and I are similar), let them go through it first. For the rest, if you have a knack for selling, great..go ahead and list it, if not, I have a dear friend who sells on Poshmark and she would appreciate any donations as it helps her through her fight against MS.
- Go through your jewelry. Do the same as above.
- Go through your shoes. Do the same as above.
- Go through your end tables. I don’t know if y’alls were as messy as mine and my husbands, but you may find something you have been looking for in there. Consider only storing essentials you need close at hand.
- Go through under your bed. Due to a lack of storage in our present house, we use long under the bed totes for our out of season clothing as well as our empty suitcases. But sometimes things can get kicked under there and I am surprised at what I find.
- Make a list of anything you need to order or send out.
LIVING AREAS (this can be the dining area as well)
- Go through any storage cabinet and make trash and other room piles, and reorganize your cabinet completely.
- Clean and wipe down any furniture from couches (go under those cushions!) and chairs to coffee tables and more!
- Go through videos, books, games, decorative stuff and more and get ready for a massive yard sale when this is all over with!
WHOLE HOUSE! Yes, do all these things throughout the entire house!
- Clean the ceiling fans with a duster and replace any lightbulbs that need it while you are up there.
- Clean crown molding near the ceiling if you have any.
- Clean windows with a non-toxic cleaner! Make note of any screens that need replacing as you are doing this.
- Use a duster to clean corners and behind furniture.
- Use a duster to clean lamps, electronics, and anything else that shouldn’t have dampness on it.
- Clean base molding.
- Replace any lightbulbs in lamps that need it, or if you don’t have them, write that on an amazon order list!
- Vacuum or sweep or mop floors.
- Clean doors, doorknobs, light switches, and any other commonly touched surfaces. We use this to clean everything! Please go natural and non-toxic so your family isn’t inhaling caustic chemicals!
- Check locks on doors and windows and make note of any that need repairs.
- Check smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and security system batteries and add them to the list if they need replacing.
GARAGE
I almost have no words here…just organize and hope your family can keep it somewhat that way! 🙂
12. Completely organize your phone.
- Go through your old texts and screenshot or save the ones you want. Delete the ones you don’t want. Be sure to save any numbers that aren’t labeled as contacts before you do this.
- Go through contacts and delete ones you don’t know. When you have duplicates for the same person, check with them to see which is the right number and then delete the old one. Add a pic of the person and you together (if you have one) or one of just them to their contact info.
- Go through your apps and delete the unused ones as they take up space and time anyway. Be sure to update the apps you want to keep.
- Make a list of all your passwords and usernames for your apps and emails if you don’t already have it. You can type it up, and save it password protected so you can recall it if you can’t remember your passwords.
- Go through your pictures and delete the duplicates. Delete the 500 held down by your kid in a row. Organize them into folders and make movies or order photo books of the ones you want.
- Go through your notes and label each one. Check your recently deleted and move any back to active that may have accidentally been deleted.
- Go through your calendar and delete old reminders that are no longer valid (like I need to delete my kids TX sports dates as we are no longer living there). Add all birthdays you need to remember and set reminders.
- Check your settings and your kids to be sure it doesn’t allow all the nasty stuff. Check your kids’ settings religiously and set up a password that allows you to control their phones (more on that later)
- Go through your emails and delete what needs to be deleted, BUT, before you delete be sure to check your deleted box to see if there is anything vital in there and be sure to star the ones you want to always get and see (like from the 365 family of course!)
- Update your iTunes by adding classes or music to it and deleting the old ones.
- Add any apps you need to with things you are having the time to set up now, like SimpliSafe, GoPro, Anchor, Bible or anything else like that.
- Take the time to go through your social media and delete any posts you no longer want shown. Post kindness and encouragement. Delete any old pics up or things that you no longer want to be shown to the world. Update your profile pic to one that shows joy and smiles.
- Update your phone.
- Find your chargers and keep them handy in a designated spot.
- Take your phone out of its case and give it a gentle dry microfiber cloth wipe down and be sure to get the camera lens as well. Wipe the case down with thieves or a good solid germ-killing cleaner, let it dry, then put it back on.
VENTURING OUT TO YOUR YARD OR PATIO OR DECK
I HIGHLY recommend this if you are able as the sun is so vital for our overall health both physically and mentally!
1. Take your bible time outside!
To add a freshness to your routine, take your bible time or word studying time outside and be in God’s creation as you dive deeper into His word!
2. Take your exercise routine outside!
Even if all you have is a small patio…jumping jacks on the patio or push-ups to get the blood flowing…even stretching outside while breathing in the fresh air boosts immunity!
If you have a yard, take your whole exercise routine outside and have your family join you! Working out as a family is encouraging and builds camaraderie! Bring your phone or laptop out there with you if you are doing a virtual workout.
3. START YOUR GARDEN OUTSIDE!
Listen, even if you are renting and just have a little patio up high in an apartment, how amazing would it be to go outside in the morning and smell the aroma of fresh mint or rosemary and to go grab some rosemary for those homemade sweet potato fries or chicken dish you are making. Grab some mint for your water or mojito!
If you are renting and have a bigger yard, like us, use containers and that way you can take it with you when you move and you don’t have to be concerned that they will eventually die under someone else’s care.
If you are renting from the bank (also known as buying) or have paid for your house, definitely put your garden in the ground or above-ground boxes or a greenhouse. Go as elaborate and customized as you wish!
Let your garden be your happy place!
4. CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOUSE
- Do NOT get on the roof, but eyeball as much as you can to be sure it all looks good and on holes or damage to shingles. If so, make a note to call a roofer when you get inside to prevent any further damage or leaks.
- If you can safely, from the ground, check on your gutters during this time to be sure they are free of debris and attached well. Maybe send a drone up to take a video of them? Be creative!
- Pressure wash the exterior of the house! Don’t have a pressure washer? No problem! They now make attachments for your regular garden hose that supposedly turn your garden hose into a pressure washer! I haven’t got mine yet, but plan on ordering one as soon as I make my decision on which one is best after my research. As you go over the windows, have someone inside to be sure there are no leaks as the pressure wash is happening. If there are, make notes of it and add it to the repair list.
- Pressure wash the sidewalks, driveway, and walkway around your house. This makes such a massive difference in your curb appeal and how you feel when you look outside your windows.
5. CLEAN YOUR YARD!
- Edge and Weedeat BEFORE you mow! The reason for this is simple…if you have a bagger on your mower, then it picks up all the leftover stuff that went flying when edging and weedeating! We have a battery-powered combo edger/weedeater and love it!
- Mow your yard.
- Handpick major weeds that are in flower beds or bush areas that weed-eating would only tear up the bed.
- Once weeds have been picked, consider laying down some of that black roll out stuff that weeds can’t grow through because it suffocates them. Then lay pine straw or pretty little white rocks or whatever of your choice on top in order to hold it down and make the aesthetic of your yard much nicer.
- Consider planting flowers by your mailbox, or on your patio to add a pop of color to your yard.
- Get bug zapping racquets, if you are like us ,and have to suffer through the endless yellow jackets, wasps, mosquitos, and whatever other flying insects that intend to do us harm. Keep one in the garage for the front yard and one near your backyard! You can thank me later!
6. TAKE PICTURES!
Take pictures of God’s beauty and really look for things that maybe you haven’t noticed before.
THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE!
My friend, this is such a small list in the scope of what is possible! Even with all this time, it’s entirely possible all of this can’t even get done! And there is still more we could go into!
There are always things that need to be tended to in our homes, and usually, our lives pull us so much away from our homes they tend to be neglected. Use this time to thank God that you have a home, care for it, appreciate it, and get it ready for when this passes and the business of life kicks back in again.
Revel in the uniqueness of your family and your life and your home!
For everything, there is a season and there is nothing new to God and that should encourage us!
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us that we are not to know everything and that this and everything is in God’s hands…we are to trust, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Laziness is not acceptable before the world changed, and it’s not acceptable now!
These verses warn us against laziness.
Colossians 3:17 implies we should be “doing!”, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Hebrews 6:12 basically tells us it’s our duty to not be slothful! “So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
As believers, Galatians 5:13 tells us what we are to do with our freedom in Christ, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Laziness and complacency are the enemies my friend. It’s time to rise up, set your hearts on fire for Jesus, your life, your family, your home, and your community by being a doer!
Are you caught in the struggle with spending too much time on social media, watching the news, or listening to others and wanting to give in?
I personally have not experienced a massive change in available free time. I still get up early mornings to do my writing. I still run my online business. We are busy homeschooling, starting and tending to a garden, doing my workouts, still unpacking from our recent move, still refinishing furniture in my garage. There is always so much to do, that usually I have to remind myself to slow down the pace for a minute!
I know many others who have even more responsibilities than they are used to as they are now having to run their business and kids school at home, so they have even less time than they did before.
Comment below and let us know where you fall in that wide range of laziness to overzealous!
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