On Friday, October 16th, Kenyon announced that another quiet period, like the one in August, was going into effect immediately. For my friends and me, this was a total bummer, although we completely understood the need for it. With almost a month left before returning back home in November, we’ve been trying to enjoy as much time together as possible. Every Friday night we usually go out to dinner, come back, and watch a movie in a common room. When we canceled those plans last Friday to stay in our dorms, we felt helpless. We’d gotten so used to our time socializing together, and now what? Only chatting over Zoom?
We knew that more chatting over Zoom would not feel the same, and although nothing would, I decided to come up with some ideas for how we could virtually spend time together without sitting in silence or doing homework. I hope that if you are also feeling in a rut, they will be useful. We all could use some extra fun activities right now.
1. Spa Night
In need of some self-care with your friends? Do a virtual spa night through FaceTime or Zoom! Purchase some face masks (or use your favorite you have), put on some fuzzy bathrobes, get a drink like hot tea or sparkling water, and play some calming music or a guided meditation. Sit back, relax, and let your stress go. This is a great activity for any day of the week and will be sure to soothe any of your worries.
2. Group Yoga
This is the perfect activity for you if you like to get fit with your friends or are in need of some energy. Put on your comfiest workout clothes, have everyone get out a yoga mat or towel, and share your screen to watch a yoga video together on Zoom. You can choose something more difficult to challenge each other, or go with an easy one to relax and stretch. I recommend the YouTube channel Yoga with Adrienne for this activity.
3. Movie Night
If you and your friends have Netflix, doing a movie night through Teleparty can be a great way to unwind. Get into some comfy clothes, grab your favorite snacks, and pick a movie you all can chat about. Romance, thriller, and comedy movies are all great options for commentary with friends. If you feel so inclined, you can even FaceTime afterward to discuss your thoughts.
4. Dinner Date
During quiet periods and periods of isolation, it can be easy to miss having dinner with your friends. Wear a fun outfit you’d usually go out to dinner in, grab takeout from a place you all love, and have it together over Zoom. Put on some music and chat about your days. My friends and I have started incorporating the “Rose, Bud, Thorn” into these dinner conversations. A rose is a highlight of your day, a thorn is a negative aspect of your day, and a bud is something you are looking forward to. Doing an activity like this with dinner can be a great way to relieve stress and have a solid conversation, which we all need during this time.
