1. Virtually Visit Museums
Sometimes I really enjoy going through art museums alone, but other times I love the fact that people challenge my perception such as sitting in front of a Magritte piece and seeing his intentional cohesion void of symbolism in five different ways. When staying in doors with the same people, it's easy to stagnate ideas. So don't fall to that mindset, make the intention to share your screen with a friend and video chat while virtually exploring new places or art museums. You can take your time sitting with a piece, pulling it into your daily life. Click here for a link for 12 art museums that provide virtual tours. Anyone up for a tour with me? |
2. Screen share shows on YouTube
As I already stated, some apps have screen sharing capabilities (such as Google Chat), and while we can't currently go to concerts, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy live performances. Find a concert and belt out the lyrics with friends. Try some of these brilliant live performances: Queen Bowie Prince Also, Radio programs generally have great live guests, such as KEXP showing Julien Baker, Sylva Esso, and my personal favorite showing Ben Gibbard. Or any Tiny Desk group: Julien Baker, Mac Miller, Jacob Collier, Sylva Esso, and countless more! | image source |
3. Video Games
4. Movie Night
I recently found out about a new app that will allow you to stream videos in tandem with a friend. The app is called Rave. Movie nights have now turned viral. It will allow you to experience it with someone else while you are confined to your own house. I'm sure there are other old school ways to do it. If it's on TV you can pull a "When Harry Met Sally" and just ask for the channel, but new apps are making socializing from a distance easier. People who think I talk too much during movies might not want to try this with me, but other people may really enjoy connecting through movies. |
5. Book Club
Since many of my college friends live out of state, I have totally had a book club over the phone before. I have a few friends that I love their perspective on books, and we intentionally picked a book we both wanted to read. This not only gives you some strive for enjoying introverted time, but also gives you a platform to connect with someone. There are so many good books. Also, you can pick whatever book you want to read. If you think you don't like reading, that just means you have not found the right book genre for you. Reading is for anyone. Pick a fun book, pick a short book, you don't have to copy me and pick T. S. Eliot or Faulkner, but don't be afraid to pick them either. You have the time to read it. Some short books I'd recommend are "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman, "Animal Farm" by George Orwell, "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, and "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy. Maybe you want celebrity short story books. Try "Bream Gives Me Hiccups" by Jesse Eisenberg, "One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories" by B. J. Novak, and "Uncommon Type" by Tom Hanks. All great reads. Maybe you want a strong females. Try "Notes to Self" by Emilie Pine, "I Am Malala," and "Uneducated" by Tara Westover. Maybe you want adventure. Try "Into Thin Air" by John Krakauer. I could give many more recommendations, but it may just be better to follow my Goodreads at this point. |
6. Dance Party
Sometimes there is nothing better than dancing it out. Pick some friends, crank it and have a dance party. Just because you are not in the same place doesn't mean you can't dance it out. If you're a bad dancer like I am, this may even be preferable. Just letting yourself loosen up and let go can be so healthy, especially if you are not alone. It will also help you stay active. So "Let's Dance, put on your red shoes and dance the blues!" |
7. Game Night
- Poetry party: I love poetry, and it's super easy to read poems over video chat. You can even try making up your own poems or stories with a friend.
- Art day: Grab your crayons, markers, or paints, and put your friends on video chat while you all release your creative energy.
- Puzzles: I love socializing while doing something like a puzzle. It's easy enough to put on a video chat or a phone on speaker and both be doing a puzzle. You can even get competitive and see who can finish first, but play fair an choose puzzles with similar difficulty levels.
- Walk around the block: You don't have to touch or cough on each other. You can pick a side of the road/path and get some exercise. Another thing you can do is walk while talking on the phone. I have certain friends that we always call each other when walking. It's a great way to keep in touch while multitasking and also, allowing yourself to have a time limit so you stay productive.
- Yoga: You can do Yoga with Adrienne or you can lead your friends in a class. It's so important to stay healthy and keep moving, even when confined to your house, and this is such an easy way to stay active.
- Drive-In Movie: Okay, this one may be hard, but if you have a projector, you and your friends could stay in your cars and watch a movie like the good ol' days.
- Karaoke: I won't advocate too hard for this one because it's not my thing. I've only ever rapped Eminem for Karaoke to avoid inflicting my terrible voice on people, but I think that app Rave I linked to above also has a Karaoke component and I know other people really enjoy this.