Killing Time Alone

By Jordan Choi

Editor: Dominique M. Billington.

During these months of social distancing we’ve missed a lot. And I bet the thing we miss most are people. No, I’m not talking about your family, I’m talking about people how you may see once or twice. Life is a lot different now that there is a global pandemic. The news about Covid-19 is all we see. During the summer break, we probably watched Netflix or Youtube for hours at a time trying to “Kill time”. Even though these movies and shows are fun for a while, we can’t help feeling like nothing was accomplished. That’s where I come in, I have compiled a list of things you can do alone, with friends (Over zoom of course), or even with your family.

1. A Wellness Journal

This is an activity where you can do a self check-up on your mental wellness. Just write how you feel everyday or once a week! You can make this fun by writing with colored pens, decorating the pages, or even painting on them.

2. Write a letter to yourself

You can write a letter to your future self to open in a couple of years. And so you don’t lose it, you can put it somewhere you know you’ll find it (Like a shoebox or on your desk). In a couple of years you can read this letter and look back at yourself and think about what life was like.

3. Family Game Night

This can be done with your family and with friends.

Gather your whole family one night a week and play a fun game! You can bond and get competitive. You can also make deals like: If I win, you have to do my chores for a week.

4. Make Up a Game

Make up a game with your siblings with resources that you can find in your house. You can play a shooting game with plastic cups and nerf guns. Or you can even do a scavenger hunt!

5. Rearrange Your room

This can be done with your family/friends or by yourself (It might be better that way.)

Change up your living space! You can move decor and furniture around, Or make your own decorations!

6. Zoom Call:

Done with family or friends.

When doing a Zoom call with friends it can really help relieve some stress. Or it might just be something fun you can do at the end of the day.

7. Keep a Diary/Journal:

This could be a good idea if you like writing, or drawing. Just ask for a spare spiral notebook or ask to buy one with a lock. (This is if you have siblings who like to read everything.) Then, start writing. You don’t have to write everyday! Just write when you need to. You don’t have to call it ‘Diary’ or ‘Journal’ in fact, I {Dominique M Billington}, call it a Rabbit Hole. Call it whatever you want.

8. Cartoon Recycle Project

This activity is where you make a cartoon character (or anything) from your recycled materials. All you need is your recycling bin, and maybe some paint. For example, you can make a minion (from Despicable Me) out of a toilet paper roll. You can do this with your siblings and make all kinds of creatures!