The more people spend more time at home, the more they get agitated and start finding projects at home. Luckily, home improvement doesn’t always need a whole team. They can be done on your own and pick up a new hobby in the process.
Improve the Work/Study Area
Distractions at home are everywhere. Roommates or family members can interrupt the workflow. Chores need some attention, so they become a good excuse for procrastination. Of course, the bed and the TV whispering to your ears, but people must work to pay housing loans as the pandemic stretches its devastating effects.
Aside from this, WFH blurs the line between the place where you take time to relax and something that brings so much stress. 40 percent of workers find their jobs “extremely stressful,” and 25 percent consider it as their top stressor. WFH breaks boundaries because the personal and the professional become melded together. There could be times when employees could no longer keep track of where work starts and ends.
Therefore, a better and more secluded study area would be a lifesaver in the time of work from home and online classes. The first step is to determine the nature of your work or study habits. If your job requires heavy use of the computer, then it should be more placed at the center where it’s easier to have proper posture while working. If you need to read books and take notes all day long, clearing the space will give enough space for study materials.
Consider adding shelves near the workspace to minimize the clutter on top of the table. Good lighting stimulates the brain, and you can add calming objects like little houseplants.
Become a Plantito or a Plantita
“Plantito” and “Plantita” are just new words to refer to plant parents. Since plants have taken over the internet, people—especially millennials—are finding a sense of purpose in taking care of plants this quarantine. While you’re stuck at home wondering about a new hobby to learn, being a plant parent is a rewarding and relaxing option.
Since it might be more difficult to go to the market, having your own backyard farm combines convenience and your new hobby—in due time. For beginners, there are a few vegetables that don’t need advanced level skills to grow:
- Squash: These are easy to plant, but they surely take up a lot of space. Their vines spread very easily so make sure that there is space around your squash plant to grow. (The area which a squash can dominate differs from variety to variety, but six to eight feet apart is recommended.)
- Chili: From a bunch of seeds that you get from the chilies you buy at the supermarket, you can grow into your very own chili plant. Chili requires minimal maintenance; simply make sure it gets lots of sun and water. Whether it’s bird’s eye chili, jalapeño, or habañero, chili gives a kick to whatever dish you throw it into.
- Eggplant: The plant loves the sun and gets easily disturbed by weeds, so it might need constant upkeep. This vegetable has been cultivated in Southeast Asia for thousands of years and is now a staple in multiple cuisines such as Italian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern. It’s arguably one of the most versatile vegetables out there. It can be adobo, torta, or an accompanying ingredient for soup dishes.
You can start being a plant parent by buying a few pots, seeds, or seedlings. Asking plants from your neighbors is an option, too, depending on your level of friendship. Make sure to research the needs of each plant, so you wouldn’t have to go in blindly.
Declutter
All of a sudden, people are selling secondhand items online. You’ll often see the word “decluttering,” and they try to sell things to people who might need them.
As people spend more time at home, they might also need more space to move around. When this happens to you, consider looking around and spot the areas that can be freed up. Most likely, these areas are filled with things that you don’t need but can’t let go of.
It’s normal to feel attached to stuff. When you’re having problems letting go of things, think of a system that assesses whether you need them or not. Maybe you can think about the instance when you’re going to need a specific item, but don’t go too far to justify its use. It helps to ask a friend or a family member to rationalize certain decisions.
These home improvement projects are simple, but they make a huge impact in trying to stay the same in this pandemic. Don’t worry! There’s still plenty of stuff you can do at home.
