12 answers
Alethia
Student
Singapore
1
Question
Asked
1017 views
How do I keep myself productive in other ways than studying and writing during quarantine?
Hi, i'm Alethia, currently a 19 year old graduated from a local polytechnic this year.
Currently, I have been writing and self-studying online materials with topics such as philosophy, psychology and foreign languages.
However...I can still feel bored from time to time.
Would you like to recommend some tweaks to my current plans? #writing #self-studying #advice #bored
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12 answers
Sarah Sarb
GA
7
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi Alethia,
First off, I applaud you for being so productive during this time! I think it is great you are spending your time studying. Some other suggestions are to:
learn a new recipe - this can be as simple or as complex as you want. there are plenty of simple ingredient recipes that you can learn or if you have been saving one to try, now is a great time
read a new book - if there is a book you have been wanting to read now is a great time. Getting involved in a fiction book would be a great distraction to everything going on.
connect with family and friends over facetime and zoom - now is a great time to connect with loved ones and show them you are thinking about them and miss them.
pick up a hobby or a craft - learn something new and try to knit or sew. Better yet, try to sew some masks for those in need.
exercise - there are a lot of gyms and workout studios doing free online classes. Maybe try yoga or meditating to help ease your mind.
First off, I applaud you for being so productive during this time! I think it is great you are spending your time studying. Some other suggestions are to:
learn a new recipe - this can be as simple or as complex as you want. there are plenty of simple ingredient recipes that you can learn or if you have been saving one to try, now is a great time
read a new book - if there is a book you have been wanting to read now is a great time. Getting involved in a fiction book would be a great distraction to everything going on.
connect with family and friends over facetime and zoom - now is a great time to connect with loved ones and show them you are thinking about them and miss them.
pick up a hobby or a craft - learn something new and try to knit or sew. Better yet, try to sew some masks for those in need.
exercise - there are a lot of gyms and workout studios doing free online classes. Maybe try yoga or meditating to help ease your mind.
Sabrina Wright
Accountant
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sabrina’s Answer
Something fun but useful...practice negotiation skills (look up practice negotiation scenarios), interview skills (S.T.A.R. method), work on LinkedIn profile and connect with people in your career field, write your personal mission statement and think of how you envision building your personal brand, and think of qualities of your ideal mentor
Jackie Howell
Quality Professional
4
Answers
Swindon, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Jackie’s Answer
Have you tried TED talks, they can take you off in some weird directions, but it can work out well.
Tammy Jacobson
Marketing
9
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Tammy’s Answer
That's great that you are staying productive! What I have found to stay busy and active are the following:
-Getting out of the house and enjoying the beauty around us (walking , biking, running, yoga). You may discover news things in your neighborhood that you didn't know existed! I know I did.
-Learning new recipes
-Creating fun content for social media
-Virtual volunteering
- I rarely watch movies/shows so catching up on those have been fun
One thing that I have discovered is that many companies are offering free content, learning, activities, etc. so it is a great time to take advantage of those things! Just go to websites and things that interest you and you may discover new offerings that are available.
Take care and be safe!
-Getting out of the house and enjoying the beauty around us (walking , biking, running, yoga). You may discover news things in your neighborhood that you didn't know existed! I know I did.
-Learning new recipes
-Creating fun content for social media
-Virtual volunteering
- I rarely watch movies/shows so catching up on those have been fun
One thing that I have discovered is that many companies are offering free content, learning, activities, etc. so it is a great time to take advantage of those things! Just go to websites and things that interest you and you may discover new offerings that are available.
Take care and be safe!
Phoebe Ngugi
Corporate Trainer
14
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Phoebe’s Answer
I applaud your efforts to stay on top of the game. You are on the right track! It is only normal to feel bored from a routine especially in this state. Arent we all feeling that way? The secret is the tweak, the spice that you seeking. Breaking that monotony.
For starters you are a writer! Are you on a Networking platform? Let me see those experiences articles on LinkedIn platform for example. The Modern Age Pandemic. On this platform people are hungry to read articles that signals hope . Linkedin has millions if not billions of connections as young as you are create a mark. It isn't too early to start career networking.
Months from now, this will be the top notch interview question ...What have you been doing in the last..x months? Believe you me that will be the game changer! And am hoping your response will not be the current top of the meme...I was washing my hands. What is your passion? What do you enjoy doing? Knitting, join a knitting club, art? Poetry? Interior design? Especially if it is a path spicing up your future career.
Then do not be hard on yourself. It is still okay to just be. At this period, we need our mental sanity for tomorrow! Play with your pet, exercise, do yoga, Skype call your mates they may be on the verge of losing it. Above all , write a journal...we will live to tell this story!
For starters you are a writer! Are you on a Networking platform? Let me see those experiences articles on LinkedIn platform for example. The Modern Age Pandemic. On this platform people are hungry to read articles that signals hope . Linkedin has millions if not billions of connections as young as you are create a mark. It isn't too early to start career networking.
Months from now, this will be the top notch interview question ...What have you been doing in the last..x months? Believe you me that will be the game changer! And am hoping your response will not be the current top of the meme...I was washing my hands. What is your passion? What do you enjoy doing? Knitting, join a knitting club, art? Poetry? Interior design? Especially if it is a path spicing up your future career.
Then do not be hard on yourself. It is still okay to just be. At this period, we need our mental sanity for tomorrow! Play with your pet, exercise, do yoga, Skype call your mates they may be on the verge of losing it. Above all , write a journal...we will live to tell this story!
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Alethia,
Well done on trying to stay productive during this time. I am especially excited with your focus on foreign languages. I hope that you are able to practice with real people on those languages. I had been studying Japanese for a while and I lost a job where I worked with the only person I knew who spoke Japanese. With the world today, you may be able to take that practice to social media and other platforms.
You have gotten a lot of great advice from others. I would just recommend trying to take on something new to you. You did not mention any artistic endeavors, so I would say to please consider. Maybe learn how to do a certain kind of dance, expand your knowledge on artistic endeavors (if you draw, try painting), or even teach yourself to cook something that you didn't know how to cook. Another way to go is learn more about virtual volunteering activities. Now is a time that you can share your knowledge with others in a unprecedented way. You are never too young to offer your life experience to help and support others.
Good luck with finding other ways to improve yourself during this time.
Well done on trying to stay productive during this time. I am especially excited with your focus on foreign languages. I hope that you are able to practice with real people on those languages. I had been studying Japanese for a while and I lost a job where I worked with the only person I knew who spoke Japanese. With the world today, you may be able to take that practice to social media and other platforms.
You have gotten a lot of great advice from others. I would just recommend trying to take on something new to you. You did not mention any artistic endeavors, so I would say to please consider. Maybe learn how to do a certain kind of dance, expand your knowledge on artistic endeavors (if you draw, try painting), or even teach yourself to cook something that you didn't know how to cook. Another way to go is learn more about virtual volunteering activities. Now is a time that you can share your knowledge with others in a unprecedented way. You are never too young to offer your life experience to help and support others.
Good luck with finding other ways to improve yourself during this time.
Aicha Moustapha
Full time student & actress
40
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Aicha’s Answer
Hi!
- Take short walks around your neighborhood so you are not couped up inside your house for too long.
- Buy a puzzle or a good book.
- Watch Netflix or Disney +
- Listen to music
- Do Airtime with friends (it is basically a way you and your friends can watch netflix movies together online).
- Find recipes online that you may want to try out.
- Exercise
- Facetime or skype friends
- Take short walks around your neighborhood so you are not couped up inside your house for too long.
- Buy a puzzle or a good book.
- Watch Netflix or Disney +
- Listen to music
- Do Airtime with friends (it is basically a way you and your friends can watch netflix movies together online).
- Find recipes online that you may want to try out.
- Exercise
- Facetime or skype friends
Nadia G
Psychologist, Coach & Career Advisor
64
Answers
Norway
Updated
Nadia’s Answer
As all above recommendations are great, I will add only 3 things :)
1. Try to go back to some activities that you enjoyed as a kid. TV Shows, sketching, basketball - you name it. Besides keeping us busy, it helps to bring great memories and feel less stressed about the current situation.
2. Virtual travelling/plans "when it's all over" - example: you dream of going to Hawaii. Plan your trip, starting from a budget and how to get it, "must see"/sightseeing, learning about the culture and all the amazing stuff that you can do on Hawaii. Even if the trip won't happen any soon, it helps to stay positive and have the plan ready, just in case :)
3. Stay offline as much as possible. I know it may sound a bit old school, but from my perspective, I am much more productive and creative when I am not online.
1. Try to go back to some activities that you enjoyed as a kid. TV Shows, sketching, basketball - you name it. Besides keeping us busy, it helps to bring great memories and feel less stressed about the current situation.
2. Virtual travelling/plans "when it's all over" - example: you dream of going to Hawaii. Plan your trip, starting from a budget and how to get it, "must see"/sightseeing, learning about the culture and all the amazing stuff that you can do on Hawaii. Even if the trip won't happen any soon, it helps to stay positive and have the plan ready, just in case :)
3. Stay offline as much as possible. I know it may sound a bit old school, but from my perspective, I am much more productive and creative when I am not online.
Kei Mercado
53
Answers
Updated
Kei’s Answer
Hi Alethia. I feel the same way as you but I started to do the following to keep myself busy.
1. Spend time with family - I play board and card games, sports in the garage, exercise, I take Tiktok videos with my 2 kids and play computer games too
2. Learn a new skill - it can be arts and crafts, cooking/baking, crochet
3. Schedule online calls with your friends and think of fin activities with them
These are only a few that I have done because of the situation.
Take care and be safe!
1. Spend time with family - I play board and card games, sports in the garage, exercise, I take Tiktok videos with my 2 kids and play computer games too
2. Learn a new skill - it can be arts and crafts, cooking/baking, crochet
3. Schedule online calls with your friends and think of fin activities with them
These are only a few that I have done because of the situation.
Take care and be safe!
Jamie Uy
IT Auditor
10
Answers
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
Are there other things you wanted to try before but never had the time to? What is your idea of productive? Learning, earning or developing new hobbies are all productive, but it depends on what really interests you.
Around your age I started an online shop and has a freelancing online account for proofreading and editing literary works in my free time. Do you want to publish your written works or share it with people? This could be your chance to find a publisher online or find platforms where you could share your work.
You could also venture to arts or music; awaken the painter in you! Try to create the art cover of your written stuff. For music, it could be hard to start learning a new instrument since you'll have to buy it first, but maybe you can try new music genres. One of my colleagues gave BTS (boyband) a try last week and he said he fell in love with it.
You could also expand the topic of materials you read, such as mythology. Reading and knowing random things can also be productive as these can help you strike up conversations and build network with others. Or add variety to it, such as watching videos on the topic that interests you instead of reading, or joining an online group that studies and practice foreign language together.
P.S. I also love philosophy, psychology and foreign languages! I'm an INTP and I've studied (basic) Japanese before and is now starting on Korean.
Around your age I started an online shop and has a freelancing online account for proofreading and editing literary works in my free time. Do you want to publish your written works or share it with people? This could be your chance to find a publisher online or find platforms where you could share your work.
You could also venture to arts or music; awaken the painter in you! Try to create the art cover of your written stuff. For music, it could be hard to start learning a new instrument since you'll have to buy it first, but maybe you can try new music genres. One of my colleagues gave BTS (boyband) a try last week and he said he fell in love with it.
You could also expand the topic of materials you read, such as mythology. Reading and knowing random things can also be productive as these can help you strike up conversations and build network with others. Or add variety to it, such as watching videos on the topic that interests you instead of reading, or joining an online group that studies and practice foreign language together.
P.S. I also love philosophy, psychology and foreign languages! I'm an INTP and I've studied (basic) Japanese before and is now starting on Korean.
Hi James, thanks for your feedback! I agree that there are different definitions to being productive for different individuals, especially when it comes with levels of interest.
So far...I have written to a website based in the US, and signed up for a few volunteering events about animals.
Editing and proofreading sounds fun, especially with my interest in writing, would certainly give it a try!
As for music and for art, I tried learning to draw and playing music on my Yang Qin (a Chinese Dulcimer).
Mythology does sound like a great topic to read on!
Great to know we have similar interests! I'm actually...an INFJ, and i'm currently studying on Japanese.
Alethia
Jennifer Sharp, PMP
Initiatives Manager
1
Answer
Celebration, FL
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Documentaries are a great option to still learn, but a bit more relaxed. Check out https://designers.watch/ for a list of creatively focused documentaries and http://ohyouprettythings.com/ for a free documentary a week. Stretch out and try any that interest you even if they are outside your field. Hulu has a great one called Ramen Heads!
Darin Munnell
3rd Shift Custodial
74
Answers
El Monte, California
Updated
Darin’s Answer
Hi Alethia,
Way to be so productive. Myself aside from checking in with friends and family and doing homework, I've gotten outside and taken a walk around my neighborhood or hopped in my car and drove to a hill nearby or a neighborhood nearby and just walked around and got some exercise, I've crossed things off my to-do list I've been procrastinating on, looked up recipes and baked something, and when I just want to relax and kick back have been catching up on movies and tv shows from Netflix and Disney+ I've been meaning to watch.
Way to be so productive. Myself aside from checking in with friends and family and doing homework, I've gotten outside and taken a walk around my neighborhood or hopped in my car and drove to a hill nearby or a neighborhood nearby and just walked around and got some exercise, I've crossed things off my to-do list I've been procrastinating on, looked up recipes and baked something, and when I just want to relax and kick back have been catching up on movies and tv shows from Netflix and Disney+ I've been meaning to watch.