Quarantine for most people has meant more free time and boredom than ever before. Why not take that time to do something you’ve always meant to do but never been able to before? Write that novel. Learn that language. Practice those dance moves. Cook those meals. Bake that pastry.
You might as well come out of this pandemic feeling accomplished, so here are some tips to make that happen:
- Make a schedule. It’s obvious, but it’s essential. If you say you are going to do something but you don’t make a plan, chances are it won’t happen. If you schedule when to work on it or buy what you need to, you are much more likely to actually get it done.
- Take breaks. If you’re doing something new or complicated, take a moment to relax and step away from it. As with everything, you can’t expect to be successful if you work nonstop.
- Be proud of yourself. No matter what the outcome is, take pride in the fact that you are finally doing the thing you want to do. Accept that it might not be perfect or exactly what you thought it would be—but you’re still doing it, and that’s amazing.
Having this free time can be daunting, but starting a project helps pass the time and makes it more productive. I have been working on my novel and it feels great to be making steady progress on such a big project; everyone can feel that way, as long as you put your mind to it and commit.