Due to the COVID-19 outbreak about a third of the world’s population is under some form of restriction. The UK went into full lockdown on the 23rd of March, citizens are only allowed to leave their houses for certain reasons, such as for essential work, exercising, and purchasing food or medicine. One of the most effective methods to stop the spreading of the virus is by staying at home. Schools have been closed by orders from the government, and so many students are currently staying at home. However, many people, not just students, are finding it difficult to stay at home, because of many reasons, such as they feel restricted for not being able to go out, or perhaps home may not be the safest or best environment. Therefore, I have listed 41 totally serious things that people can do at home during all the chaos to hopeful make you laugh, or consider doing some of these, but don't take them too seriously.

Draw.

1.     Draw Shrek as a human form

2.     Draw Mario and Shrek getting married

3.     Draw Disney Princess in Simpson style

4.     Draw legless animals

5.     Draw a bird as a fish (or vice versa)

Sing.

6.     Sing the highest note in 'Into the Unknown' from Frozen 2

7.     Sing Chandelier but in gibberish

8.     Sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in opera style

9.     Sing all your childhood songs

10.  Sing to the wall 

Read.

11.  Re-read childhood books from authors, like Roald Dahl

12.  Read and learn how to help a cat give birth

13.  Read your past diaries

14.  Read Japanese mangas (you can find them online), like Death Note

15.  Read some positive news, did you know that two pandas in Hong Kong recently successfully mated after 10 years of trying?

Write.

16.  Write 10 good things about yourself

17.  Write a letter to yourself to open after the chaos

18.  Write the letters of the alphabet and give each letter a new word that you didn't know before, e.g. N is for Nicompoop (meaning silly)

19.  Write 10 random and useless facts and tell people, e.g. did you know that kangaroos can't jump backwards?

20.  Write your name in calligraphy with your non-dominant hand

Watch.

21.  Watch anime e.g. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

22.  Watch the film Parasite, you won't regret it

23.  Watch all the Barbie films

24.  Watch yourself in the mirror and see how beautiful you are

25.  Watch a human gallop on YouTube

Play.

26.  Play Fire Boy and Water Girl by yourself

27.  Play rock, paper, scissors by yourself or with your pet

28.  Play dress-up with clothes from your wardrobe

29.  Play a game with your family

30.  Play this game where you stare at the wall 

Listen.

31.  Listen to a K-pop song, e.g. Poison by VAV

32.  Listen to a body-positive podcast

33.  Listen to the Google translate speaker say your name in different languages

34.  Listen to babies crying

35.  Listen to animals singing on YouTube

Make.

36.  Make up a new language or code language

37.  Make a paper box because why not

38.  Make yourself a cup of tea with some digestive biscuits

39.  Make someone else a cup of tea, but put salt instead of sugar in it

40.  Make dance choreography to Baby Shark

 

41.  Or just do nothing and relax, give yourself a break!

 

 

Additional Message: During this whole pandemic, there’s a rise in hate crimes and hate speech against East-Asian people, and there are many harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about Chinese people. There are many derogatory hashtags and phrases on Twitter, such as “#ChinaLiedPeopleDied”, “Kung-flu” and the “Chinese Virus”. As an East-Asian Chinese person, I want to bring awareness to this to tell people to avoid spreading racist and xenophobic comments, they are very hurtful and damaging. Remember: Hate is a Virus. Stay safe. Stay at home if you can.