When I said I was born in the wrong century, I meant I wanted to wear long linen gowns, make strawberry jam, embroider handkerchiefs and be courted from afar by a handsome suitor. I can’t say I was longing for a plague.
I’ve never been the sort of person to take things one day at a time. It’s just not my nature. I’m always planning, always running through the worst and best case scenarios in my head, trying to predict what comes next so that I can stay one step ahead. If I have a to-do list and a packed planner for the next three months, I’m thrilled.
Naturally, my nature hasn’t found the current state of the world particularly agreeable.
I miss going out to restaurants and shopping malls, spending cozy evenings with my friends and even going to early morning classes. But until life resumes its normal course, the best I can hope for is that my family and friends stay healthy and that I can keep my mind occupied long enough to stay sane.
That being said, as a life-long introvert and lover of all things hands-on, I have a number of tricks up my sleeve to stay busy. Hobbies are invaluable in times like these, so I’ve put together a list of everything I hope to dabble in over the next few weeks, ranging from the cottagecore to the downright trendy. I’ve linked a few of my favorite tutorials, so feel free to steal one (or several) and hopefully we all can emerge from this difficult time with some small happiness — even if just in the form of a bit of homemade jam. (I’m, uh, still working on the handsome suitor thing.)
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Make an upcycled candle — Useful AND eco-friendly!
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Can some homemade jam — If you need to use up any fresh fruit in your fridge, this is a great option.
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Crochet a basic granny square — I actually already did this one! I kept going and made a cozy burgundy blanket that I absolutely adore.
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Weave a trendy wall tapestry — Fun Fact: a simple loom can be made with materials most people already have in their garage!
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Fold an origami dragon — One of my favorite childhood pastimes
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Do that e-girl makeup that I’m too scared to wear outside the house
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Create a sourdough starter — It’s like a Tamagotchi…that you eat
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Make homemade boba tea to soothe my cravings until Ice & Bites reopens
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Improve my handwriting — You know, for all those love letters I’ll be sending my suitor
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Work on my tap dance — Once I rescue my old tap shoes from my apartment closet.
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Try to recreate those incredible Galen Hooks choreo videos — I might be a little addicted.
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Whip up that fluffy coffee that’s all over Tik Tok— One I’ve done as well! Pro tip: Use a blender, mixer, or whisk.
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To that point, perfect my Tik Tok dances
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Brew the perfect cup of tea — Zoom tea party, anyone?
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Bake biscuits for that tea party — Three ingredients, less than an hour of work.
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Press some flowers to use in crafts — A perfect to excuse to go walk around your backyard or neighborhood park.
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Or maybe I still have my recorder from third grade?
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And finally, practice my transatlantic accent so I can fulfill my daydream of being a 1940s starlet