At home ideas

It is easy to get down on the idea of being “stuck at home” especially as travelers feeling the brunt of uncertainty with COVID-19.

But like all seemingly “negative” things, I love to focus on the positive. It makes life so much sweeter this way. What if being at home becomes seen as an amazing opportunity to do things we haven’t had time for and do things that can both inspire travel and inspire ourselves.

So if you’re ready, here is my list of things to do at home that can get you ready for your next adventure:

Read a book about traveling!

Even simply reading books set in the countries you’d love to visit can be inspiring.

One of my favorites is Juliet by Anne Fortier. It’s a Romeo and Juliet story with several storylines with one in the past impacting the one in the future.

Learn a new language!

Now that we’re all staying in, here is the perfect time to pick up a new language. Whether you purchase language software you can download at home, watch YouTube videos, or listen to a podcast, there are many free ways to learn a new language. You can also watch movies in other languages.

Rosetta Stone is offering free trials because of COVID-19. 

Pimsleur Languages

Duolingo

CoffeeBreak Languages (podcast)

 I’ve been using CoffeeBreak Italian for over a year now! It is a free podcast you can listen to at home or on long commutes and you can find it here. They offer other CoffeeBreak languages: French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Swedish, etc. Absolutely recommend it.

Most likely your local library is closed or I’d recommend looking for language learning CDs (I’ve used some and they did wonders right before I went to Italy), but check out your local library’s website! Many times they offer language learning software and all you must do is login with your library card info, which you can totally do at home.

Create a Travel Journal

https://www.pinterest.com/malloryelizabethnotes/travel-journaling/

Write about past travels, future travels, and what you want to do! Now that you’re at home, there is a perfect time to work on piecing together all the small pieces from your last travels.

Launch that passion project you’ve been putting off. 

Being at home affords you spare time you wouldn’t have if you commute or have to leave for lunch breaks. If you’re looking for some passion project ideas, think about what you want to do for YOU.

Example passion projects are:

  • Writing a book, a short story, or poems
  • Starting a blog or online portfolio of your work
  • Learning pieces on piano or another instrument
  • Scrapbooking
  • Journaling, perhaps letter-writing to your future self
  • Photography

Make a new Pinterest Board to get you excited for your next vacation

Plan a faraway destination to visit and make an itinerary for it.

This is perfect to add to your travel journal. Where have you been wanting to go?

Build a TripAdvisor Trip for a day trip location to visit close by!

Now we have all of this free time at home, here is the perfect time to make local traveling something to be excited about! Pick a town or city nearby and plan a day trip, full of your ideas for foods and things to do.

If you’re looking at incorporating adventures to your everyday, check out 16 Ways to Add Adventure to your Everyday.

Watch a travel movie. I’ve pinned several to my Pinterest board.

One of my favorites is Leap Year! They don’t show much of Dublin but you get a bit of the countryside and who does not love a good RomCom?

Watch shows set in other countries!

Besides Downton Abbey, there’s:

  • Poldark
  • Reign
  • Outlander (haven’t started)
  • Vikings (didn’t finish)
  • Brittanica (didnt finish)
  • Camelot
  • The White Queen

Most of these are on Amazon Prime but check out the ones on Netflix! I haven’t watched all of them but regardless of your taste in shows, there are plenty you can find to stream.

Write Travel Reviews on TripAdvisor or Yelp or Google

Being at home gives you time to reflect on past travels and inspire others to travel or to pursue destinations. Think of it as storytelling with a purpose. Your experiences can absolutely impact others.

Do you have any tips or suggestions about how to get your travel fix or inspire your next travel while at home? If so, I’d love to hear all about it!