If you are stuck inside, why not try to declutter around the home? I am not talking about doing a full, deep clean, just removing unnecessary items.
Between the pneumonia/ RSV/flu outbreak and our local snowstorm, many patrons of the Great Smoky Mountains have spent much of their time inside. With that said, there have been many moments when I've thought to myself that the boredom might just kill me. Therefore, I have discovered seven productive things that combat boredom, and I want to share them with you:
1. Bake Bread
I know you have seen it on Instagram, and for good reason. Baking bread is legitimately one of the most fun hobbies I have ever picked up. First, once you have the basics down, you can create so many different kinds of bread! And listen, I know what you are thinking, “There is no way I am trying that sourdough starter again.” I am right there with you. I have tried to get a sourdough started four times. And I have killed—yes, killed—a sourdough starter, four times. So, instead, I have been using instant yeast! You only need around 2 teaspoons per recipe and can buy it in packets or a jar.
The second reason I love baking bread is that I can bake so many different things! Since learning the basics I have been able to make regular bread loaves, garlic knots, pumpkin-shaped rolls, bagels (of multiple flavors!), and more! I am telling you, there is nothing more fun than hearing, “You made this from scratch?!” when your party guest realizes the bread came straight from your kitchen.
2. Paint Your Bread
Once you've figured out how to get a smooth, basic loaf of dough for your bread, you can use food coloring and water to actually paint the bread dough! This is a hobby I am fairly new to trying, but so far it has been a blast simply giving it a go. You can paint hearts for Valentine's Day, crosses for Easter, and more! And get this, the food coloring actually bakes super cute! Just be sure that you score (cut) your bread dough before putting it in the oven. Your bread is going to burst, so by scoring it you can help guide the loaf so that it knows exactly where to burst so that it doesn’t mess up your design!
Bread painting is also a super fun activity to let your kids partake in! The dough is a great sensory activity for them to get their hands dirty and the making process is a great opportunity to teach your little ones some basic kitchen rules! Besides, who doesn’t want colorful, homemade bread that was painted by your sweet kiddos?
3. Get a Yarn Hobby
In the last two years, I have picked up embroidery and crocheting. While crocheting definitely takes more patience to learn, both forms of yarn art have been super fun to experiment with. One thing I love about this hobby is that you can gift what you make. Do you have a friend who loves to read? Get a piece of material, cut it into a rectangle, embroider a cute flower or some lovely words on it and give it as a bookmark. Do you have an old pair of jeans? Embroider cute designs on the legs and then wear them out or list them on Facebook marketplace! With yarn hobbies, every project you make can be a gift!
4. Read a Book for Goodness' Sake
Listen, I get it. Some people just do not like reading. But if you take a minute to think about the pros and cons, you will see that picking up this hobby is not just fun but beneficial!
You spend hours a day scrolling on your phone. You are literally letting your brain decompose in a sense. You watch one-minute videos and then scroll to the next. But when you read a book, you are still being entertained while you challenge your brain to stay active and healthy. There are even apps out now that will help you keep track of your reading goals, TBR (to be read) lists, and how many books you have read so far that year! Not only is it fulfilling to look and see that you are only two books away from your goal, but some of the apps even offer a personalization feature where you can decorate the “bookshelf” of all your books in accordance with your favorite colors.
An excuse I often heard from individuals who dislike reading is that it is boring. Guys, there is a genre for everyone. Romance? Got it. War stories? Got it. Murder mysteries? Got it. Bibliographies? Got it. There are even books out there that are 100 pages or less. It does not have to take two weeks for you to finish a book. And I can assure you that in the end, you will feel a sense of accomplishment.
5. Declutter the House
If you are anything like me, you have a long list of “to-do’s” that never quite get done. And somewhere on that list is “clean the house.” Even if you get one or two rooms cleaned, it never feels like enough. If you are stuck inside, why not try to declutter around the home? I am not talking about doing a full, deep clean, just removing unnecessary items.
Once you’ve taken the time to get rid of these miscellaneous items you will have much more space in your home and can really take an inventory of your house. What do you truly need that you have yet to purchase? Do you even truly need that one thing on your list that will re-clutter your freshly clean space? Adopting this mindset also saves you money in the long run. When you are out gliding through the aisles at HomeGoods and see a piece of decor that you “can’t live without,” it is so much easier not to purchase it when you know it will add clutter to a space you worked so hard to clean. Think of decluttering as the first step in raising your standards for your home decor. Not every “cute” piece gets a spot in your home.
I have also found that decluttered areas are so much easier to keep clean. Dusting the nightstand with only my lamp, Bible, and coaster lying on it is a much more appealing task than trying to throw away old trash and wrappers, pick up used water bottles, and then wipe down the space.
6. Declutter Your Phone
Just as it is easier to maintain a decluttered physical space, it is so much easier to maintain a decluttered phone. You know what I’m talking about. Those screenshots of recipes you tried (and will never try again), old pictures, a thousand unread emails, and unheard voicemails. By cleaning all of this out you can not only create new space to store new memories, but you will most likely stop getting that annoying “Storage Full” notification on your phone. You can also take this time to unsubscribe from all of those emails that we both know you never read. Oh, and make sure to check which subscriptions you are paying for that you don't even use.
7. Rest
Friend, let’s not forget that rest is productive. In 1 Kings 18-19, Elijah was having an existential crisis. Do you know what God did? He made Elijah eat a snack and take a nap. After all, God Himself modeled rest for us when He took a break on the seventh day of creation! You cannot pour from an empty cup. If you think you can, you will unfortunately be one of the people who crashes the hardest. Take a nap, watch some television, read a book, listen to music, and just rest.
Photo Credit: ©Getty/TG23
Olivia Lauren is a graduate student passionate about Scripture, particularly the Book of Romans showcasing God's grace. Outside her studies, she enjoys teaching her dog new tricks and finding quicker ways to silence the smoke alarm after trying a new recipe.
