Being social while sheltering in place and practicing social distancing at the same time takes a little creativity and discovering opportunities. Here are a few things I have found that you might enjoy. If you have any to add, I’d love to continue the list. Contact me with your suggestions.
1. Visit a Museum
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
2. Visit the San Diego Zoo By Web Cam
The animals are missing us humans. Though we can’t be there, we can watch them here: https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
3. Go to the Theater
My favorite local theatre group in San Diego, MOXIE Theatre is doing something really innovative with theatre. Producing small shows about livestreaming on livestream platform. They are calling this a ZoomFest
http://www.moxietheatre.com/project/zoomfest/
MOXIE produces shows that defy stereotypes associated with “women’s work.” They expand what is considered feminine, portray more diverse and honest image of women and celebrates humanity. Go MOXIE!
4. Take Out An Audio Book from Your Local Library
Go to your library’s website to learn more. I have yet to do this, but I’m excited that I might just be able to give up Audible.
5. Send out 10 love notes
Use your email, text or messenger apps or free ecard service like OpenMe.com. Writing poistive throughts you’ve never shared with someone to them can be quite the cathartic and/or life enriching activity. If you want to feel better, try this one!
6. Go To An Ivy League School – Take Courses For Free
Yep, the Ivy’s are offering a limited number of courses. But hey, then you can say you’ve gone to Harvard ;-) https://www.classcentral.com/collection/ivy-league-moocs
7. Start A Netflix Party
You can watch together and chat with this chrome extension. Invite me, I want to try this one out: https://www.netflixparty.com/
8. Set Up A Surprise Tea Party for A Relative You’re At Home With Already
This one a friend of mine told me that she decided to do and I am borrowing it. Get your cousins, neighbors on zoom or skype or other free web conferencing tool and have lunch together. If you need a web conference tool, check out the list of free ones here: https://www.lifewire.com/top-free-web-conferencing-tools-2377241
9. Host a Virtual Club Conference Call
You can still meet with the book club, garden club, knitting salon, Bible Study, discussion or other interest group call (or start one anew). If your group is not tech savvy consider using a free conference call service where everyone can simply dial in by phone. Like this one: FreeConferenceCall.com
10. Go for a Walk and Phone Talk With A Friend
Go walking when you next call a friend/loved one on the phone (call your mom, sister, niece, uncle, cousin, BFF, or a neighbor). Make a date to do this.
11. Find or Host Community Events Online
Search meetup.com, Eventbrite.com – many organizers are doing things virtually right in your community.
12. Get Creative
One of the most soul enriching things you can do that will transform your mental state and make you feel whole again is to immerse yourself into a creative activity. By the way, you don’t need to be artistic at all to get the benefits. In fact, it’s easy to take the pressure off yourself with these activities.
- Download coloring sheets and bliss out with some colored pencils, crayons or magic markers. Burt’s Bees created these free coloring sheet downloads.
- Dabble Studio in Tennessee has free virtual painting classes. You can download a free coloring sheet from their website or for a super reasonable fee they will ship you a canvas (with the design drawn on it), paint, brushes, an apron, and a box that converts into an easel. You can use your own materials and follow along for free by attending the class which they hold on their Facebook page.
- Gather your friends and do some collaging via zoom. I facilitate Virtual SoulCollage Playshops for groups that want to use collaging for a transformational experience.
I know there are literally hundreds of things you can think of or have heard about. Don’t be shy. Share your creativity and cool ideas here. You never know who will benefit from your sharing.