Don't Let Quarantine Clip Your Wings: How to be a Free Spirit While Stuck at Home
Updated: Mar 26, 2020
Finding freedom in self-isolation. What to do in quarantine | Bohemian lifestyle
I've never really thought of myself as an introvert. I always felt I was more of an extrovert with an anxiety disorder and a low tolerance for boring ideals and bad music. Staying at home has never been much of a problem for me, and I struggle to empathize with those who feel trapped within their own homes during these chaotic times of fear and uncertainty. While empathy for extroverts doesn't come naturally for me, I have made sure to at least take the time to think about what life has been like for my more lively counterparts these days. I bet you guys are having a tough time not being able to party, mingle, stroll about anywhere as you please, but my free spirited bohemian sisters and brothers definitely have most of my pity. Some of you might be feeling like a caged bird, unable to do as you please as you do your part to prevent the spread of this nasty virus. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, bohemians need to be wild and free - we don't respond well to rules and confinement. But don't lose your cool just yet, my friends. Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself entertained, fulfilled, joyful, and creative right at home.
Thrift shop online. Naturally frugal and with very little regard for fashion and decor trends, bohemians prefer to thrift shop first. While some local thrift stores might be open right now, it is highly recommended that you avoid going out unless it is absolutely necessary. Instead, shop around on online marketplaces like Ebay, Etsy, and Swap for gently used and even vintage clothing, accessories or home decor.
Sharpen your skills or learn a new one. With nothing but time on your hands, you should have ample opportunities to hone your talents or learn something new. Dust off that guitar and find some easy tutorials on Youtube, get your camera and learn how to use it properly indoors with low lighting, or hold that yoga pose a little longer. If you're not sure where to start, check out CreativeLive. CreativeLive grants you access to a huge selection of live streaming courses taught by professionals in many different creative fields. An example of real courses available are:
Getting Started with Acrylic Paints
How to Make a Living Selling What You Make
Simple Sewing Projects for Beginners
How to Turn Junk Drawer Jewelry into Top Drawer Accessories
Upcycling Leather into Accessories
and much more!
You don't have to follow a strict schedule to keep up with the classes since you can come back and watch any live classes you missed at any time!
Become an Instagram Idol. We've become such strange creatures, finding pleasure in seeing what total strangers are eating, wearing, drinking, and doing all day long in real time. Hop on board and inspire people to be wild and free by sharing your unique lifestyle. Give people something to really feast their eyes on by allowing them a peek into your offbeat world by showcasing your home decor and fashion on one of the world's most popular social media platforms. Who knows? You might just end up becoming the next big influencer! Don't sneer just yet! Social media influencers sometimes get freebies from companies wanting to collaborate, some will even pay! Just make sure you're collaborating with companies that reflect who you are and what you stand for. It's very easy to spot an insincere sponsored post! In a nutshell, you can get paid and score free goods for simply being yourself! Doesn't that sound dreamy??
Channel your inner Shakespeare. It is believed that William Shakespeare wrote King Lear during isolation to protect himself from a plague in 1603. Take advantage of this down time to start (or maybe finish) your very own play, movie script, or novel. Make your story even more dynamic by collaborating with a friend online.
Get exotic with your workout. The gyms are closed but that doesn't mean you can't get your fitness fix at home. Spice up your workout with dances and exercises from other parts of the globe like belly dance, capoeira, samba, tai chi, hula, flamenco, bollywood, etc. If you don't have a workout routine, now would be a great time to start! If you're not sure where to start, Youtube is jam packed full of instructional videos for beginners. You can also still order instructional DVDs from sellers on Amazon!
Do the mending and add flair. Go through your wardrobe and find those garments that you no longer wear because it's too plain, a button is missing, it got snagged on a nail, it's too big or too small. You can fix those annoying little issues with your clothing by using a little creativity. There are so many great ideas for repairing and upgrading your clothes on Pinterest. In case you're not into Pinterest, a quick Google search will provide you with tons of unique ideas. Consider upgrading your clothes by cutting off the top of a dress to make a skirt, adding fringe to your sleeves, adding appliques to the lapels of your blazer, splatter paint on your old jeans, or cover a snag in a sweater with embroidery.
Be an artist. As a free spirited bohemian, there's a great possibility that you already are an artist of some kind. But now is the time to let your creativity soar in ways you never thought possible (or never had the time to do in the past). Explore and learn new techniques or create your own. Try something new! If you're not already into creating art, then try your hand at learning a thing or two about painting, sketching, illustration, collaging, papier-mâché, and much more.
Side note: If you have children at home, it would be a great idea to include them in your activities. This is a great time to bond with your children and teach them that cultural appreciation, self expression, and creativity are some of the most important aspects of life.
How are you staying sane at home? Let me know in a comment below!
