As we all get used to the new normal of staying at home and keeping a social distance to stop the spread of coronavirus (aka COVID-19) – we thought we’d do our part to help encourage the indoor fun.
So if you’re worried you’ll run out of things to do or become bored, bookmark this page and you’ll always have 100 self-isolation activities at your fingertips…
2. Organise your entire makeup collection with these DIY makeup storage ideas
3. Give yourself a salon quality manicure at home (and make it trendy with these autumn nail colours)
4. Or finally try your hand at some nail art designs
5. Watch ‘The Stranger’ on Netflix (a British mystery thriller worthy of bingeing)
6. Treat yourself to a long, luxurious bath. bh recommends: Gernétic Bath Salts and Buckley & Phillips Happiness Artisan Candle
7. And hey, shave your legs while you’re at it. You may not be going anywhere, but the smooth feeling is still satisfying. bh recommends: TriShave 3in1 Shave Crème For Women and Schick Hydro Silk
8. In fact, now is also a great time to consider longer-term treatments such as IPL. The SmoothSkin Bare Intense Pulsed Light Hair Removal Device is still available for delivery!
9. If you really must watch a pandemic movie, make it one of these
10. Missing live music? Watch Harry Styles’ Tiny Desk Concert (or dive through the archives for the likes of Lizzo and Coldplay)
11. Get a little silly and learn some Tik Tok dances
12. Bake a cake
13. Bake some cookies
14. Bake a pie
15. Bake some sausage rolls (anxiety baking is a thing ok?!)
16. Try an at-home peel. If any redness occurs, you’ll have plenty of down time to recover. bh recommends: Nimue Glyco Mask and Dr. LeWinn’s Reversaderm Corrective Skin Peel
17. Introduce retinol into your routine
18. Treat your eye area to some much needed lovin’. bh recommends: Elucent Anti Ageing Eye Cream, USANA Celavive® Hydrating Eye Essence and Skin Republic Brightening Eye Mask
19. And while taking a look at your skin care, toss any expired beauty products
20. Do a puzzle
21. Read the entire Harry Potter series (again)
22. Paint
23. Try a colouring in book
24. Write a letter to a loved one
25. Give yourself a hair makeover using a DIY colour. bh recommends: Garnier Olia andL’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss
26. Or go back to your natural roots with the help of Colourless Max Effect
27. Then, with your at-home salon up and running, turn your talents to any unsuspecting males in the house… bh recommends: Restoria Express Men
28. Dust off your old copy of ‘The Sims’ computer game and re-live the glory days
29. Or embrace your modern day gamer with the self-isolation video games everyone’s raving about
30. Host a pub quiz for your friends on the House Party app.
31. Host a ‘murder mystery’ evening for your friends on the House Party app.
32. Break out ‘Monopoly’. You might actually finish a game of it for once
33. Make playdough for the kids
36. Commit to a daily cleansing brush routine and reap the rewards. bh recommends: LUMISKIN™ Ava 2 in 1 Sonic Beauty Device
37. And every once and a while, go all the way with an at-home facial
38. Watch your favourite beauty vloggers on Youtube
39. Donate or sell the clothes you no longer wear
40. Colour co-ordinate or seasonally organise your wardrobe
41. Wash your doona covers (because let’s be real, we never do it)
42. Let your eyebrow hairs grow out and then use our brow shaping guide to finally get the style you want
44. And tint your lashes while you’re at it
46. Write product reviews on beautyheaven!
47. Exfoliate your body from top-to-toe. bh recommends:UpCircle Body Scrub Coffee & Peppermint and Essano Coconut Oil Invigorating Body Scrub
48. Then slather on a beautifully scented body lotion or oil
49. Or coax someone into giving you a full body massage. bh recommends: Sensuva Me And You Massage Oil
50. Perform some self care for your downstairs. bh recommends: Svakom Alice and pjur Woman
51. Wake up early and watch the sun rise (cathartic AND less to no people around)
52. Go for a run, walk or hike somewhere quiet
53. Try an at-home fitness routine using a workout app
54. Learn how to meditate
55. Teach yourself the top 10 yoga poses for beginners
57. Indulge in an at-home hair treatment
58. Wean yourself off everyday hair washing (because FYI it’s bad)
59. Try out some new hairstyles for autumn
60. Learn how to use a curling wand
61. Wipe down all your kitchen cupboards, inside and out
62. Re-arrange the living room
63. Give your indoor plants a shower
64. Clean your window blinds
65. Adopt a puppy
66. Train puppy
67. Teach puppy tricks
68. Watch ‘Scrubs’
69. Learn all the lyrics to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
70. Give yourself a foot peel and then watch in equal measures of horror and delight as you shed an entire layer. bh recommends: Milky Foot
71. Or just stick to a regular DIY pedicure
72. Try whitening your teeth at home
73. Make the switch to natural deodorant (it takes a bit to get used to…)
74. Sort through all the photos in your phone and delete all the unnecessary screenshots
75. Have your favourite photos printed and put into frames or albums
76. Commission a local illustrator/artist to draw your pet (to be gifted later…)
77. Learn how to nail winged eyeliner for your eye shape
78. Or try out these seven smokey eye techniques
79. Master the art of applying false lashes
80. Or try your luck with a lash and brow serum
81. Have a giggle at some 2020/2021 memes – the last year has been a lot
82. Write down your goals for the rest of the year (because it’s not too late and there is light at the end of the tunnel)
83. Plan your travel for 2022
84. Have a backyard picnic
85. Try out dermal rolling
86. Or jade rolling
87. OR learn how to use a gua sha. bh recommends: Samson & Charlie Rose Quartz Gua Sha
88. Teach yourself to knit
89. Learn how to sew (buttons totally count)
90. Learn how to fold like Marie Kondo
91. Then use your new skill to reorganise your drawers
92. Take on the tupperware drawer. Anything without a lid, goes
93. Make your own flower crown
94. Or create your own Easter eggs
95. Practice some date night makeup looks
96. Or go on a virtual date (because IT IS possible to date during coronavirus, you just have to adapt a little…)
97. Try out the scalp brushes everyone is raving about
98. Get your Dr Pimple Popper on with the best blackhead banishing products
99. Or simply leave your skin alone because ‘skin fasting‘ might solve all your problems
100. And lastly, every time you miss something, write it down. This will then become your bucket list for when coronavirus is over. We’ll get there.
Main image: @kaiagerber
Which of these suggestions is your favourite? How are you passing the time while social distancing?
Social distancing? Have Sc.D. degree in this matter xD
Nothing changed really. What do I do now vs before? Same. With some progress….mastering the skill by the minute xD
I love colouring in, doing reviews, eating, reading plus I always have something to do in the way of chores. Love the list of things to do when in self isolation, good job BH.
Great choices listed BH Xx
Not a lot has changed for me with the changes – I have always been happy with my own company and my home has always been my oasis. I love to garden, read, walk and cook and practice my yoga.
My husband is now working from home and keeps startling me and my puppy as we don’t have on TV through the day either. I hate chatter, noise and the bad news in general.
I also remember to be so very grateful for all that I have and my beautiful family so fortunate compared to so many.
One of my sons is in New York and it is just shocking in every way there.
Love this! I’ll need to come back to this when I’m bored and have no idea what to do
Trying not to get stir crazy but after a tiny week it’s starting to get to me. I totally understand and would never break the rules and go out so I just have to adjust. I have so many plans and now I just have to find the time (kids are home).
Stay safe everyone!
Cleaning my makeup brushes is something I need to do. And since i’m not going anywhere, they won’t be needing another clean for quite some time!
Cleaning my makeup brushes has been top of my list. It’s top of your list. And I’m still finding excuses not to do it!
Love your comments Johanna. I’m a master in social distancing in my everyday life too.
I like to take my dog for a walk. We go most days. I guess the day will come sometime soon when we won’t we allowed to. We walked past two large playgrounds. They are usually packed with kids, but they were deserted. It was eerie. Otherwise I’m just at home doing ‘stuff’. Hubby is still at work for now, day to day proposition At this stage. I guess no one really knows what’s ahead.
Social distancing? Ha! I work in retail.
If I could isolate myself…I would definitely bask in the fact that I can go makeup free for a while.
Not looking for more to do, but I do need to clean my brushes. Some good ideas here.
Ha, nice ideas! I’ve baked 2 cakes in 2 weeks, that’s not very good for my health 😛
So many to do lists – now is a chance
I think the Salvos better brace themselves for a tsunami of donations once we are all allowed out again!
Great for those who need ideas! Far from it though for me – I seem busier than ever with everyone home – hubby working from home online, one daughter home from school homeschooling online (and asking me lots of questions), another daughter home doing uni course online and another daughter home just because she’s had to pick to stay and live at her job or stay at home and lose her job for the current time. So plenty here keeping me busy!!
I need to find time to watch that British thriller on Netflix
So many ideas. I have so many DVDs I haven’t watched yet, so must do that.
I’ve been doing more face masks. hair masks & bubble baths than usual – I’ll have to get out that box of Milky Foot!
I’ve sorted out some autumn & winter stuff to take to Vinnies. Their shops won’t be doing much business, but those in need, especially the homeless will be doing it tougher this winter due to COVID.
My doona covers are clean, but I’ve washed all the curtains. Why do I always leave it so long? I hang them back up wet & they dry hanging there. I’m catching up on housework & cleaning out drawers & junk.
I’ve been doing a lot of sewing, but I’m also wasting too much time playing online games.
Some great ideas, Bh!
I had to spend some time at the local shopping center last week while waiting for a car to be mixed at the mechanics. I saw so many people with 1000+ piece puzzles. Im now wishing I had gone and grabbed one also.
I do have hundreds….and im not joking….of books to get through so thats my focus at this point.
I love watching sunrise and sunsets. Nature is so beautiful. 🙂
Great ideas. Id love to declutter the whole house, I think the biggest hurdle is actually starting that project.
I was unwell for a lot of 2019 so I’m used to isolation and am already over isolation already. Trying to incorporate more self care into my routine. It’s feeling a bit like ground hog day every day atm so try and give myself and kids as much of a structured routine. The sleep ins are nice and one day we will look back on this one day and hopefully appreciate all we take for granted. We all have to ride this wave, stay safe and look out for each other xx
Great list! Already engaged in doing some of these!
More beauty is definitely on the cards
I my case trying to get ahead with my bachelor’s degree
Today is my first day of not working so I’m planning on organising my kitchen cupboards but first I’m going to have a longer shower and put a face mask on and maybe a hair mask, oh and dermaplane my face lol!
Some great suggestions here BH! I’ve decided that one of my goals during this social isolation period will be to try out some new recipes & get back into cooking & baking. So far I’ve tried out 2 new recipes, with varying degrees of success. (The other goal is to get back into exercise somehow; but we’ll see how I go with that!)
I’ve been doing all the baking, but am sure I’ll be rolling out instead of walking when it’s all over.
Love this
Make it to learn new skills.
Love some of these ideas!
It’ll take me a little while to work my way through that list of 100 suggestions, but I have plenty of time because I’m not going anywhere.
Hubby is driving me crazy because he’s in a cleaning frenzy. Everything has to be done now, whereas I’m quite happy to put off today what can be done tomorrow or the next day because I have plenty of things to keep me occupied.
I’ve already sorted through all my clothes and given away heaps, and I’ve started on sorting makeup and skincare products.
This morning I wrote a list of things I should really do while I have the time … just to make sure I have a focus and don’t waste time.
What a great list of ideas. I’m about to start reorganizing my makeup.
Thank you for the ideas 🙂
Lots of inspo here, my wardrobe needs a large makeover as does the junk room!
I’m the same, need to declutter every room, drawer and cupboard. Don’t know where to start or have any room to put the things I want to get rid of. Planning on donating most things to charity. Need to see if my local lifeline is open.
A handy list of ideas but perhaps the most important thing to remember throughout this time is ” at the end of the day we can endure much more than we think we can”…(Frida Kahlo)
Some great suggestions, I need to declutter every room, cupboard and drawer in my unit. Not sure where to start or where to put the things I want to get rid of. Will feel better once its done though. Am doing more exercise and going for a long, fast walk every morning, can feel the benefits already. Have lots of books to read and dvd’s to watch too. Am usually never at home much so its a big adjustment for me and probably is for most people. Take care everyone..
Lots to try… Some cool ones in there…
Would love to try these out
Def need to check out some more local hikes! One to a waterfall would be extra nice! Must do some home workouts too. And try not to eat soooo many snacks and ice cream! Haha
Must also go through my clothes and I also plan to do some sewing!
Lol I’ve been trying to do some Marie Kondo folding. If she came to my house, I wouldn’t pass but even with my less than perfect version, my stuff is looking much neater than it was before I started tidying
I notice do your own waxing isn’t there. I now know why! Out of desperation I bought an at home Sally Hansen kit. WORST hair removal experience of my life. Waste of time and money. I still look like Neanderthal lady! Dammit!!
So many good ideas!
So far I’ve done the following:
a puzzle
cleaned and cleared out every single room,
I’ve been redecorating (decided what will go where), I’ve been jogging trying to get up to going 4 times a week
been having a bath and using bath bombs/bath salts, sheet masks and hair masks (really going to try and get through as many skincare/bathcare products these next few months as I can)
been cooking/baking nearly everyday (it’s so nice eating fresh instead of takeaway) but have been getting 1 meal of takeaway a week to support locally
I’ve got more puzzles/board games to play for rainy days 🙂
Great article and some good suggestions.
You have done heaps! Well done !! So far I’ve done a hike and beach walks each day ! (5 mins drive from home) but I’ve been going through my wardrobe and revamping old clothes.
Unworn dresses into tops and making wrap skirts! Getting my sewing machine out a bit.
So many great ideas here! This must have taken ages to compile!!
Nice quote!! Yes I agree!
I was taking so much for granted.
Thanks! That’s a good plan, hikes/walks/runs really help to make you feel revitalised.
I definitely need to have things to do/activities while stuck mostly at home because otherwise I will get too down on this whole thing. I’m usually out and about doing things at least 2-3 times a week, so this is a totally new experience for me.
i like the “mastering the art of putting on false eye lashes best