I’m pretty sure those of you who live in warm climates are sick of hearing about this but here in the Northeast, it’s motherfucking cold. Not like the cold in a movie theater (seriously, why do they do that?) or a conference room during a business meeting (again, why do they do that?) but so cold your fingers and nose and ears burn at even the thought of going outside, 45 layers won’t keep you warm enough, and your heater is slowly approaching temperatures only found at the equator.
I guess what I’m saying is that it’s Canada cold. Or Alaska cold. Or Midwest prairie cold.
It completely sucks and kudos to those who live in places where it’s regularly like this.
Anyway, because it’s turn your tears to icicles cold in my part of the world, I’ve been stuck inside. Which doesn’t really bother me because I’m as close to a hermit as you can get without people being worried but still, after awhile, even I contemplate going outside. Which I then think better of because frozen tundra. And then I’m left wondering, after 4 straight days with close to no hope of leaving any time soon, what do I do next?
So I sat down to make a list. Because of course I did. Because I love lists. And since I love to share my lists, here’s what I came up with of some of the things to do when you’re locked into vacancy:
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- Read. Did you doubt this would be first? There is nothing better to do than read. And if you’re stuck in the house, the best way to escape is through a book. This is the perfect time to tackle the stack of unread books on your nightstand, pour through the dozens of links and blog posts you’ve been hoarding saving, dive into that extra long book you’ve been keeping for the day you can finally get to it, plow through the stack of magazines or clean up your eReader. There’s never any shortage of reading materials. And this can keep you busy for hours and hours. Especially if you combine it with naps.
- Watch TV. I know those who are adamant that TV is a waste of time will disagree with me but I believe you can still be productive even with the television on. When you’re in the house, why not go through your DVR’d shows, start that show on Netflix you’ve been meaning to check out (here’s a helpful list if you need suggestions), or take some time to watch a classic movie or rewatch one of your favorites. Like books, TV and movies can be a good escape.
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- Be creative. Tired of reading and watching TV? I get it. It happens. And when it does, why not take an hour or so to color or paint a picture, write a short story or blog post, knit or crochet, try a new makeup look or hairstyle, sew, put together a scrapbook page, choreograph a dance, cook a new recipe, have a whole conversation in movie lines or song titles/lyrics, anything else you can think of that will get your creativity flowing and keep you busy. Keeping your mind occupied is a surefire way to stave off boredom and forget that you’re confined to your home.
- Move. I mean, not your home or possessions but your body. Spending all that time on the couch or in a chair, while comfortable, can sometimes make your cranky and achy and kind of fussy. I know it can for me. So, when that happens, why not take 30 minutes to exercise? You can do a workout DVD, following along to a YouTube video, find an at-home workout on Pinterest, have a dance party or even make up your own. Just get yourself moving a little bit. It’ll help stave off boredom, keep your mood lifted, and you won’t feel like a big sluggish lump. And then you’ll also feel less guilty about the 230436 cookies you ate because your winter weight is helping to keep you warm, dammit. PSA: don’t forget to do this with your pets as well, especially if you have dogs. They’re most likely used to a couple of daily walks and when it’s this cold, they can’t get that activity either. Try playing a game of fetch with them indoors, if you have the space or just find some way to help them burn off some energy.
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- Spend time with your family. If you live with people, why not use your home confinement as a way to bond with them? You can have a family game night, do Mad Libs, have actual conversations, tell stories, take some of the creativity you exercised earlier and have a showcase (talent show, art gallery, etc) where you all get dressed up and pretend it’s fancier than it actually is, sit down to a meal together, or whatever it is that your family likes to do. If you live alone, you can still connect with your family and friends via all the available methods like Facetime and text and phone calls. Just stay connected. Or, if you hate your family, you can figure out all the ways you can creatively avoid them.
- Plan. One way I get out of my own head and away from the misery of subzero temperatures is to plan all the fun things I’ll do when it’s warmer. I like to plan our spring and summer day trips and vacations, check out which baseball games I’ll buy tickets to, who I want to be sure we visit, what we’re going to do to the outside of the house (flower beds and outside lighting and the garden and what our patio is going to look like once we build it) and doing some online window shopping for spring and summer clothes. Thinking about the warmer weather, and indulging my fantasies about it, makes the ice age I’m living in that much more bearable.
- Chores. Okay, so this is last on the list for a reason. Chores suck. But if you’re stuck inside, this is a great time to dust and vacuum and do laundry and pay bills and sort the junk mail and put away the dishes and organize the pantry and write the grocery list and menu plan and go through your closets and all the other things we wish we had time to do but other things are more fun to do when you have free time. This is a great time to get this stuff done and not have them hanging over your head so when the weather improves and you finally escape your imprisonment, you won’t feel guilty doing everything else.
I’m curious–what do you guys do when you’re stuck in the house with no end in sight?
I bake and cook. I do vacuum a lot because of the dogs. I read, am on my phone or laptop way too much. My home is an oasis to me all the time. I worked outside the home, over 40 hrs a week for over 30 years. Thrilled to be home. Also, stores we need to visit are 5 minutes away. I always prefer the warm weather, no matter what. Thank Goddess we are almost out of winter!
Love, SMD’s Momms
i live in canada so this is the story of my life for like, 6months of the year. i do everything you mentioned above and i love it! i also bake and just relax because i’ll take RnR over going out any day 😀
kathy@real talk recently posted…the wheat belly experiment – week 2 update
Canada has a special kind of cold. I’m pretty sure you guys laugh and laugh at us being all pissy about our weather.
Home > going out. All day, every day.
These are all great suggestions! I love to read and binge watch my favorite shows, or sometimes I’ll get the itch to bake or cook something that I usually don’t have time for.
Julia recently posted…Caramel Latte Cake
If I’m feeling extra restless, my house becomes filled with baked goods. It relieves that itch for me like running does for other people. And reading and binge watching are my favorite things!
chores do suck. i definitely watched tv and read this weekend (i had a snow day! so exciting!) but i didn’t do anything productive. it was kinda awesome.
Kristen recently posted…28 facts about a 28 year old
YAY for snow days! Sometimes it’s okay not to be productive. That’s how I spend almost every non-cheer Sunday. Not doing anything.
I clean, cook, organize, and read. Exercise too if shoveling wasn’t enough.
I’m in work today and should’ve stayed home.
And Alaska is actually 45 today…and in the upper 30s most of the week. So an extra WAH for us.
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Krauty Chicken
Scott shovels. Except he broke the handle yesterday so I hope it doesn’t snow again.
It’s wrong that Alaska is warmer than we are.
I find myself watching TV, reading, playing video games, board games, crafting, cleaning, and organizing.
A real good way to pass time? Monopoly! We have it for xbox and it is fun to spend a few hours! It is just like the board game, but the TV makes it all fancy.
Nadine recently posted…Sweet Potato Noodles with Sage
We actually played Monopoly yesterday. Actual board game version, though. We don’t play it often because we fight a lot when we play. My husband insists on being all shady and bankrupting everyone and then gloat about it.
All of these. Especially reading and napping. I did that a lot this weekend. With my toe being what it was I wanted to do chores but it hurt, so I gave myself the excuse to just read and relax.
Kerry recently posted…Is it Spring yet?
A hurt toe, especially one that looks like yours does, is a perfect reason to read and not do chores. And nap.
Would you absolutely hate me if I said I might be a little jealous of the crazy snow? We don’t get anything like that in Seattle. Typically we get an inch or two about three times a year, but not this winter. It’s been 60 and sunny or warm and rainy. Our mountains are suffering and there is zero snowboarding going on. Boo!
I agree with you about planning for the spring and summer. I do that too after too many gray days.
Christina recently posted…Nonni’s Biscotti Giveaway
Fortunately we haven’t had too much snow (unlike all my Boston area friends) but it’s so damn cold and too cold to go outside. I didn’t realize Seattle was so warm in the winter. You guys need to capitalize on that somehow.
At least it’s not as bad as it was last year! I craft with kids, bake, clean, and watch TV when it’s this cold out. Gotta keep those kids busy!
lisacng @ expandng.com recently posted…Never say never
I feel like the cold is colder but it hasn’t been for as many days. And thank god for less snowfall. I need to craft more with Erica. I’m just a terrible crafter so it never really occurs to me.
Being stuck inside has been torturous lately! We’ve been baking a lot and trying to master potty training. I read when I have time to myself or browse for spring clothes online. Sometimes we will watch a movie together.
Karen recently posted…The Girl On The Train
Potty training is a good cold weather activity! So is baking. Baking is awesome.
I also tend to read a lot. I love it. My daughter usually makes me play games with her too.
Amber recently posted…Hey, It’s Okay Tuesday!
She really just asks to play board games. She’s knows better than to ask about Barbie or My Little Pony.
If I was snowed in Id probably be doing all of these. Reading and binge watching tv at the top of that list!
Kay R. recently posted…Carnival Confessions
When I lived in Seattle while granted it wasn’t cold, it was dreary and rainy a lot, so I loved baths and listening to music. Aside from many of the things on your blog that you listed. With the weather here sometimes I almost feel too much pressure to be outside. Kind of strange huh?
Tonya@Budget and the Beach recently posted…Buy Experiences, Not Things
I love these ideas. I’m right there with you in being a bit of a hermit, but this weather in the Northeast is ridiculous. Between being home based and having what few onsite I appointments I have being constantly rescheduled, I’ve been a bit stir crazy. I’ve participated in the first three on your list, and my jeans are saying I need to participate in the fourth. Anyway this is the first time I’ve stumbled onto your blog, and I’m sorry I didn’t discover it sooner! Great post!
Liz recently posted…How Renting in 2015 has Already Paid Off
i would organize stuff. it’s 10 here, which is pretty cold for at standards. i don’t mind cold, just not the wind. boo!
ellesees recently posted…Ipsy: February Review
This was a very inspiring list of awesomeness! We don’t have the snow you have but with the windchill, you can’t breathe outside! It’s just not worth it. We have been pretty boring over here but we like puzzles, reading and watching movies with the fireplace warming us.
shelly recently posted…40 Hardcore Days
Chores DO suck… but I agree – when you’re trapped indoors there’s no better time to do them. But I have to say, my favorites on this list are reading and watching TV! haha
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