Staying Home + Staying Sane: An ISO Checklist to Fuel Creativity + Greater Wellbeing
While Covid-19 restrictions are starting to ease in some countries, others face an uncertain future with laws remaining firmly in place.
It doesn’t matter where you live in the world, it’s important that we all still do our bit to protect ourselves and those more vulnerable around us.
If you’ve been finding your increased time spent at home a little tiring and uninspiring, then you’re in luck. We firmly believe that everyone can find some good in this situation, including connecting more with yourself or those around you.
That’s why we’ve created this fun, simple, and incredibly inspiring ISO checklist to not only fuel your creativity, but give you greater wellbeing during these unprecedented times.
Let’s begin!
1. Focus on Making Your Home Your Sanctuary
Has anyone else found themselves embracing their inner home stylist during isolation? Corners which were once empty now sport new art, DIY wall hangings, or about one hundred more plants, but amongst all the chaos of the world, these have become our new happy places.
When you find yourself staying home for such a lengthy period of time, it’s only natural that you’ll start to notice - like, really notice - the space that surrounds you, as well as any shortcomings it might have.
If there’s anything Covid-19 has taught us, it’s that your home is your safe place. It’s your sanctuary away from the uncertainty and somewhere you can hunker down to find comfort and peace.
Think about the ways you can make your home feel like more of a sanctuary, whether that involves using what you already have, treating yourself to an online order on your favourite home decor website, or stretching your DIY muscles.
Ask yourself:
Which parts of my home could do with some more greenery?
How can I make my bed or lounge more cosy and comfortable?
Which blank walls could benefit from a canvas or framed print?
Is there a functional piece of furniture or other item that could make my life easier?
And lastly, because we’re hopeless Marie Kondo fans, “does your space spark joy?”. Why / why not? If not, what can you do to change this?
2. Learn a New Skill, for Free
If you haven’t already been taking advantage of the numerous online courses, workshops, or webinars being offered for free, then you’re missing out! One extremely useful, inspiring, and life-changing way to spend your time in isolation is by learning new skills, particularly when it doesn’t even have to cost a cent.
It doesn’t matter what you’re hoping to learn either - we can guarantee there’s an online course for it.
Here are three of our favourite platforms to take a look at:
General Assembly
Coursera
Futurelearn
Many universities, TAFEs, and colleges around the world are also offering some of their courses for free during the pandemic. Be sure to do a quick Google search if you’re looking to learn something specific.
3. Start The Thing You Dream About Doing, But Keep Putting Off
Have you always dreamed about starting your own business, launching a new creative project, or pursuing additional education? With so much more time on your hands while in isolation, now is the time to think big.
This old adage certainly rings true: if not now then when?
Start allowing yourself to really start thinking about what it is you want to achieve in your life, then begin brainstorming what steps you need to take to get there.
Remember, even the tiniest of steps forward are still progress, so where can you begin today?
4. Connect with Your Friends in Fun Ways
It’s understandable that while in isolation, you start craving human interaction and missing your nearest and dearest severely. Thankfully, this is where technology is proving to be extremely helpful, whether you choose to Zoom, FaceTime, or video chat through Facebook Messenger.
We’ll admit though: when it comes to face-to-face time spent with friends and family, FaceTime doesn’t quite make up for the weekly trivia nights, after-work drinks, or games nights spent sitting around a large table, wine in-hand.
Here’s how you can fill the void, however - video chat style:
Online trivia
Wine and cheese (and chats)
Netflix parties
Virtual games nights
The options are almost endless here, so get creative!
5. Adopt a Furry Friend
Speaking of friends, why don’t you use your forced time at home to care for a four-legged one?
Whether you’ve been contemplating adopting a pet for some time or simply want to use your time in ISO to re-home an animal temporarily until you return to work, now is the time to do so.
Animal shelters around the globe are encouraging people to take care of animals in need of some TLC, particularly while we all have some extra time on our hands.
The ideal situation would be that you fall in your love with your new furry friend, choosing to adopt them permanently into your home, but of course, there’s no pressure if you’re just after providing care temporarily. Every little bit counts.
6. Embark on a Readathon
One way to escape, imaginatively, is through reading. While in isolation, think of it as a time you swap your usual outings for hours spent curled up with an interesting read.
Do you have a reading list already to work your way through, or are you in need of some ideas?
If you’re looking for some great books to read, here are some that have been attracting wonderful attention of late:
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
The Oremere Chronicles (a trilogy) by Helen Scheuerer
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday
A Decent Family by Rosa Ventrella
7. Paint, Draw, or Make Something
Now is the time to get in touch with your creative side! Think about a creative activity that makes you happiest, whether it’s:
Sketching
Watercolor painting
Painting with acrylic or oil-based paint
Colouring-in
Knitting
Weaving
Creating collages
Working with clay
The options are endless! You’re not limited to the supplies you already have at home either. Plenty of art supply businesses are still providing contactless deliveries during Covid-19, so the sky really is your limit.
8. Get Cooking
It doesn’t matter how big or small your home is, one thing is for sure: you’ve got a kitchen and it’s probably screaming out to be used.
If long days spent at home, combined with Instagram trends such as Dalgona coffee and sourdough starter kits has got you craving some culinary treats, you’re not alone. The closure of restaurants, cafes, and our other favourite food hangouts has got everyone looking to be more resourceful and creative with their own kitchen appliances. After all, that coffee won’t whip itself.
We find most of our delicious recipes on Pinterest, but of course, there are also some wonderful cookbooks you can look to when seeking inspiration. Here are some of our favourites:
The Global Vegan by Ellie Bullen
This is Book About Dumplings by Brendan Pang
Magnolia Table, Volume 2 by Joanna Gaines
Everyday Super Food by Jamie Oliver
9. Plan Your Post-Coronavirus Life
It’s important to realise that while our world has completely changed these past few months, it thankfully won’t be forever. There will be a time, in the future, when we find ourselves hopping on airplanes, hosting large celebrations, and hugging our loved ones again.
No one knows how long this new way of life will last, but for now, take comfort in the fact that you are playing your role in ensuring our world finds its feet again.
It’s always good to have something to look forward to or special plans for the not-too-distant future. Make sure that while you’re embracing this new way of life, you’re also allowing yourself to dream big for the coming months or years.
Where would you like to travel to once the travel bans are completely lifted?
What would you like to celebrate with everyone?
What road trips will you take?
Where will a post-Covid-19 world without any restrictions take you?
Now, over to you!
How are you coping during Covid-19? And what activities have you been doing to boost your creativity and wellbeing during isolation?