10 things to do while you're isolating at home
It’s uncertain times during this pandemic, and with cases on the rise, you might find yourself needing to self-isolate from the world. But this doesn’t mean you should miss out on your favourite things: and we’ve got some ideas to keep you entertained (and sane) while you’re stuck indoors.
Published 12 January 2022
Written by Nicola Clark
Photography: Morgan Smith
You may be in isolation right now, or need to in the future. And while it’s not ideal, isolation could be a blessing in disguise to have some much-needed me-time. There are books to be read, hobbies to try, recipes to nail or fail, and workouts to complete. Now’s also the perfect time to prepare your Isolation Kit to keep on hand, filled to the brim with cookbooks, hand weights, spa masks, and a fluffy pair of slippers. And with that, here are my top suggestions for days spent at home.
Look after yourself, Toowoomba!
–
Catch up on that pile of books
If you’ve been meaning to read that book all of your friends have been raving on about, now’s the time to unwind with a tea in hand and dive in. You might have a long-overdue stack calling your name, but if you’re after something new, independent seller The Book Tree can hook you up with a recommendation from their collection of over 10,000 novels. They do $3 delivery to any 4350 postcode address: simply order online or give them a buzz. Dare to be surprised? Try a Mystery Date With A Book, a sweetly packaged novel that can be delivered by creator Cee, who’s raising funds for disadvantaged school kids in our region.
–
test new recipes in the kitchen
Food really can be the best medicine. Try some hearty recipes for the soul and perfect a three-course meal to impress your dinner guests (or just yourself) post-iso. Thanks to The Farm Shop, you can score a hamper of fresh, locally sourced fruit and veggies delivered (for free!) the very next day. There’s also a delicious recipe for kiliaw courtesy of Karan-An in our newspaper’s Summer edition, available to download digitally.
–
… or get your favourite dinner delivered
Because you’re going through enough as it is, you deserve a treat. And since the pandemic’s arrival, handfuls of local restaurants have put their meals on wheels so you don’t miss out on your weekly pizza, sushi or steak fix. Homegrown meal delivery service Happy Too hooks you up with lunch and dinner menus across town, and their delivery is contact-free.
–
learn a new language
Have you always wanted to learn a new language, something that’ll come in handy when you go abroad in the (hopefully) near future? You’re in luck. Bonjour Toowoomba not only offer group and one-on-one campus classes, they also host online classes you can take from your laptop. Choose from French or German, Korean or Mandarin, and many more and complete the engaging modules from the comfort of your couch.
–
become a plant parent
With all the new spare time you’ll now be awarded, here’s your chance to nurture nature. Not only is looking after plants good for the soul, it’s also a great opportunity to get in the kitchen more as you grow windowsill herbs (such as basil and parsley) and expand your green-thumb gardening skills. Have some new indoor plants delivered to your door from Houseplant Boutique, or a gorgeous bouquet of posies from Ruby Lane Flower Co. Ruby Lane also stock everlasting bunches – ie. dried flowers – for those of us not ready to commit to a living, breathing plant baby just yet.
–
stay fit and active
If you’ve still got a bit of energy in you (and no judgment if you don’t), you might want to keep the ball rolling when it comes to your fitness. There’s a variety of online tutorials on workouts you can complete without the fancy equipment – who knew paint cans made such good weights? If you’re after a bit more guidance, Freedom Lifestyle and Fitness offer their gym experience online. You can access their team of coaches and gain advice on exercise, nutrition, and mindset from their mobile app.
–
practise self-care
Ease the stress with a routine that’ll make you feel good. This could be lighting a candle, binging bad reality TV, or taking a bath. Em’s Bath and Beauty hand-makes colourful scented bath bombs, shower steamers, and bath salts that’ll help you wind down. If you’ve got a friend battling it out in isolation, you can send them a thoughtful gift hamper made by the sisters at Lil’ Boxes of Joy, filled with lollies, skincare, and more.
Have you got an event we should know about? Let us know!
