When 2020 began, few could have predicted that only three months into the year, a global pandemic would sweep across our nations, and consequentially, create long periods of self-quarantine. While not the ideal situation, there are many positive ways this period of time can be used to grow and gain new skills or experiences, all while helping ease your mind of stress during isolation. Below are just a few of the many ways you can positively use your newly discovered time. 

Learn a New Skill

Whether it’s learning a new language, cooking different styles of food, painting, or any other skill you haven’t had the time to perfect in the past, now is the time to expand your expertise. Whatever the subject area may be, there is a rapidly increasing number of digital courses or other educational videos available online to aid in your growth and development. Diving into that new field now could offer great benefits for the future.  

Work on Your Passion Project

Are you a writer that has put off finishing your book? Do you love design, but haven’t found the time to finish your own pieces? If you have a skill already that you have always wanted to put to use, this time can be greatly beneficial to push your projects into motion. Start by creating a step-by-step plan tailored to your project and then manage your time around meeting the steps you have outlined. Blocking out just a little bit of time each day to work on personal ventures can go a long way towards your ultimate goals. Making and hitting realistic milestones will offer a true sense of achievement and positivity to your life. 

Reconnect With Others 

It’s very easy to become disconnected from friends and family over time, especially with distance. It seems you often look up and realize you haven’t talked to a particular person in months or years. With most people now spending much more time at home and inside, this could serve as an ideal time to reconnect with loved ones. It could be a video chat or a simple phone call that may not only help re-establish a relationship but also make quarantine feel a little less isolating.

 Whatever your situation is, there are plenty of options to help make the year better, more productive, and healthier. Taking the time to find something that fits your goals and personality can make all the difference!