We are in a pandemic situation and a lot of the countries in the world are in a lockdown doing quarantine and practicing social distancing.

I think the most used words in 2020 are social distancing and quarantine.

I’m currently in Cebu City, Philippines and we are in a community quarantine (I’m pretty sure it is a lockdown but in a different word). Personally, I’ve been social distancing and having a self-quarantine since March 16 when our governor announced that we are in a community quarantine. The only time I go out is when I NEED to go out, such as buying food. I do take this pandemic seriously. I am calm but prepared. Thankfully, I have someone who is up to date with the situation so we are prepared even before the actual community quarantine and the lockdown.

I have to be honest that it is hard for me doing this quarantine and social distancing because I am an extrovert. I do work from home but I always go outside to meet friends, dine out, attend events and just hang out in a coffee shop alone.

It is still an adjustment process for me and maybe for you too. So here are some of the things that we can do during this time to entertain ourselves.

Things to do during Quarantine and Social Distancing

1. Plan your future Trips

Plane Wreck, Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines

In the current situation, it is pretty obvious that it is impossible to travel. I think it will take some time to open the borders again so might as well plan that future trip ahead while you are at home.

For me, it is a good way to help me keep motivated and inspired especially with all of the things that are happening right now.

We can always look forward to good things like travel and to stay positive that all of these will be over soon.

Tools to Plan your trip:

2. Journaling

Things To Do During Quarantine and Social Distancing

I’ve been writing my day to day life since I was 16 when I moved here in Cebu to study college. Since then, I never stopped.

It is a good way to reflect and contemplate what is happening in your life. Especially, what is happening right now.

It can be stressful during this time, and journaling is a great way to keep your mind calm and just write what you think. You will get surprised by what’s in your head if you write it down.

3. Clean your space

Things To Do During Quarantine and Social Distancing

A clean space will help your mind at ease.

I simply believe that with a clean environment you can focus and do things calmly.

This is also a way to focus on something you can do physically which is cleaning.

During the first days of my quarantine, I cleaned my apartment! Hahaha. I was really productive and determined to clean my space. It helps me cope better with the situation.

Make your space as comfortable as you can!

Tips:

4. Exercise

Things To Do During Quarantine and Social Distancing

They say: healthy body = healthy mind

I personally do not exercise, but I think I need it now more than ever.

There are a lot of home exercise routines that are available online.

I found this exercise routine by Chloe Ting which is easy and doable at home.

A lot of YouTubers tried her exercise programs and had great results. So might as well try it while in quarantine.

Resources: 

5. Work from Home: Treat it as Work

Register in BIR as a Freelancer

I work online so I am very privileged to earn money while staying at home during this crisis.

If you are able to bring your work at home, please know that you are privileged.

A lot of people need to work outside in this crisis just to provide food for their families. Worst instances are people losing their jobs because of this pandemic.

So please, treat work as a blessing and treat it as WORK.

If it is your first time working at home, you might need to adjust so take your time to be more comfortable working from home but do not slack off while working. Always remember to be grateful that you still have a job.

Let’s stay at home and do our job well.

Tips:

6. Read a book

“Travel far, pay no fare…a book can take you anywhere” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Reading can take us anywhere and it is as fun as traveling. Our imagination is such a wide and endless journey we can explore.

So grab that book that you’ve been wanting to read!

7. Learn and try something new

I like learning, and I found a lot of interesting things while doing this quarantine.

I am not really into mobile games but I learned how to play mobile legend! Hahaha. It is entertaining but I am not a good player.

A lot of my friends downloaded TikTok as well to entertain themselves!

Cooking is also a skill that I’m able to explore more during this quarantine. I mean, everyone is turning into a chef now making their everyday food interesting day by day.

Other thing is I continue to learn Spanish. Learning a language is a really good way to spend your time during quarantine and social distancing.

Learn a new language using:

There are a lot of things you can learn online too. We have a lot of resources available so just choose what you want to learn and find time to do it.

Youtube is a great platform to learn new things and the great thing about it is, it is for free.

If you like watching and learning at the same time Ted Talks is also a great way to learn something new and interesting.

 If you want more details and constructed learning platforms you can check:

8. Communicate with friends and family

9 Helpful Things To Do During Quarantine and Social Distancing (especially if you are a traveler and an extrovert) 1

I heard it a lot, that technology brings people together.

I am not good at online communication. I am more comfortable talking in person than chatting on my phone. I do chat and message but ONLY when I need to. And now, I do need to stay connected with my family and friends.

I realized that I need to use my resources to communicate to my loved ones during this time, and it might not be how I communicate normally but we are not in a normal situation anyway, so I just need to say hello and communicate, simply updating them that I am okay, and hoping they are okay too.

So please, communicate and let your friends and family know your situation. Ask them how they are. Always reach out.

9. Get some fresh air

Things To Do During Quarantine and Social Distancing

Luckily, my apartment has a rooftop where we can get fresh air, see sunrise and sunsets once in a while.

It is a good way to just breathe and be thankful for what we have other than what we don’t have.

Making simple things like this has a big impact on extroverts, like me who feel like a prisoner in my own apartment sometimes.

So get some fresh air once in a while, breathe because you are still alive!

I hope this list is helpful for you to cope with the situation.

We can surpass this together so stay healthy, wash your hands, practice social distancing, stay at home and do not panic.

Remember, next time you travel and go outside, enjoy every moment because you’ll never know when a new pandemic is going to hit.

Take away:

Ichi-go ichi-e – (one time, one meeting) is a Japanese four-character idiom that describes a cultural concept of treasuring the unrepeatable nature of a moment. The term has been translated as “for this time only,” and “once in a lifetime.”

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9 Helpful Things To Do During Quarantine and Social Distancing (especially if you are a traveler and an extrovert) 2