For many of us COVID-19 certainly put a damper on the summer plans. Summers in 2020 will be unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. While we may not be able to enjoy some of our favorite activities, there are plenty of other options.
New skills
Learning is fun. Taking up a new interest can be a great summer pastime. Getting better at a new skill is rewarding and fulfilling. Ideas abound on the internet. There are all manner of arts, crafts, and trades that you can learn from online tutorials. For those who are more serious about reinventing themselves there is a range of free and inexpensive online courses. The costs of some of the most popular courses offered by foreign universities have been slashed. Simply pay via an international money transfer and spend your free time gaining a valuable new certification. Hobbies can sometimes turn into very gainful professions. A new skill set can help you improve your employability.
New recipes
Before the lockdown we could simply order in our favorite eats. Most home delivery businesses still work. However, there is no telling when a second round of lockdowns may put them out of action. Learning to cook some new recipes can make us more self-sufficient in the culinary department. The process of experimenting with different variations can be a wonderful learning process, and the whole family can get in on the fun. Once again, the internet is a vast repository of recipes and video tutorials. Cooking at home also makes you much more decisive in terms of your food preferences. Regardless of whether you gravitate toward nutritious salads or rich desserts, being a skilled cook is empowering. In the era of COVID-19 Self reliance is the way to go. Be sure to show-off your skills to friends and family at every opportunity.
Karaoke evenings
Karaoke with housemates is a great way to have fun together. All you need is a karaoke app on your phone and an internet connection. AirConsole and Smule are two apps worth a look. Quarantines can sometimes keep us from joining our friends in the same room. Lately virtual karaoke sessions are gaining popularity. You can do virtual singing sessions as often as you please. Because you do it on a phone instead of high-powered music system, the neighbors are less likely to have noise complaints. Twice a week is recommended.
Board games
Playing board games is one of the best ways to spend quality time together. These too, can be organized as virtual sessions. There are online versions of almost every board game that exists, including pictionary, scrabble, chess, monopoly, poker, bingo, katan, saboteur, and others. There are sites where you can play board games with like-minded strangers at any time of the day or night. You can also schedule online sessions with close friends and play board games using one of many video calling platforms like Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, or others. It is a great way to see friends and spend time together regardless of distances and other things that come between people.
Picnics
Parks and other open spaces are still open throughout most of the world, as long as we observe social distancing norms. Organize picnics to enjoy the summer sunshine and warm air. Be sure to keep your distance from other groups. The CDC recommends 6 feet of distance. Take all the necessary precautions such as sanitizing things and wearing face masks. In addition make all the preparations you would for a regular summer outing, and be sure to stay hydrated.
Concluding thoughts
The pandemic has changed our routines, habits, and preferences. In many ways it has changed our ideologies. We have come to realize that many things that we take for granted can be suddenly placed out of reach. There are several ways in which we must reinvent ourselves, and adapt to the new normal. From work, to education, to entertainment, our preferences and priorities must change. Summer is traditionally a great time to reinvent oneself. This summer we may not have all that we looked forward to, but we have enough. It is up to each one of us to make the most of it.
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