Lately, I’ve encountered a few people who are stuck at home. They have no transportation, little or no money and are feeling alone, & depressed.
It’s easy to get in that rut.
I was glad I reached out to them. (Check on your people-especially the quiet ones).
But in trying to encourage them I was drawn to compile this small list of:
THINGS TO DO THAT REQUIRE NO MONEY OR LEAVING THE HOUSE – hopefully, it will inspire others, as well.
- Spend time outdoors by hiking, walking, or having a picnic.
- Attend or host a free concert in the park, festival, parade, or art show
- Volunteer: help at a local food bank, clean up a park, or walk dogs at an animal shelter, visit a senior center and read to the residents or do their nails, etc.
- Search for local meetup groups, book clubs, or even sports leagues that align with your interests.
- Check out some free workshops, presentations, and book clubs at your local library.
- Take free online courses: sites like YouTube and Google offer courses/tutorials for learning new skills, such as a new language, copywriting, video editing, or playing an instrument. (You can also use your library’s internet access if you don’t have it at home.)
- Start a hobby: write, draw, make crafts, or learn to bake, etc.
- Host a movie or game night: Invite friends over for a potluck dinner, a movie marathon or a board game night. (If you’re short on funds, ask friends to bring their favorite dish or snack.)
- Utilize delivery services for groceries: For heavy grocery shopping, laundry, etc, using a delivery service can be a cost-effective alternative to frequent trips by foot. While there may be fees, it can save you time and the hassle of carrying heavy loads.
- Meditate, journal
- Write a book
- Repot your plants
- Organize your closets, drawers -(for example, go through all the pens in your house and throw out the ones that don’t work)
- Write a letter to a friend- to actually mail. (Maybe hand make a card to put it in)
- Play in the yard, trim the bushes, plant flowers, seeds, etc. (Start a vegetable garden)
- Mend/alter the clothes you’ve clothes you’ve been putting off
- Purge (keep, sell, donate)
- Rearrange the furniture
- Clean your baseboards, and around light switch plates and doorknob with a white eraser
- Organize and alphabetize your recipes to index cards
- Prepare your menu for the week (including shopping list)
- Make a bucket list of things you want to do
- Make F*&%-it list of things you all the things you have decided to stop doing, worrying about, or caring about.
- Give yourself (or someone else) a manicure or pedicure
- Call a local church or non-profit like habitat for humanity and see how you can volunteer.
- Update your address book
- Update/Purge your friends list
- Offer to pet sit or baby sit, or sit with an elderly neighbor
You Don’t Have to Leave Home to Change a Life.
- Companies like pathways.com
have ways you can help from becoming a monthly donor, donating items to writing encouraging messages.
- You can help veterans from home by making financial or item donations to support organizations like the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans or the National Veterans Foundation sending personalized cards and care package items for deployed troops, offering online mentorship for homeless veterans, etc.
- Help your local food pantry. There are an estimated 12 million children struggling with hunger in America. Next time you see a BOGO deal at your local grocery think about contacting your local food pantry to give your support. It will help them provide food items for families in need in your community.
- Give blood if you’re able. Red Cross and other organizations are in dire need of blood supply and have safe, healthy ways for you to donate.
- If you’re able, assist in local or online fundraising efforts. Look into options that provide much-needed supplies to families, such as Amazon Wish Lists, as well as the work of your local community and volunteer organizations. You can also fundraise for children or donate your birthday to support children in need around the world through savethechildren.org.
Most of all, make sure you:
Take care of yourself.
Eat right and get plenty of rest and exercise.
Practice patience, kindness and mindfulness.
Encourage others to do the same!
~mi
