The 2020 quarantine came out of nowhere and surprised us all. This is surely a time that is full of uncertainty, worries, and challenges for all of us. But with all the extra time you can plan on spending indoors over the coming weeks (or months) it’s helpful to remember that you have a best friend throughout the quarantine: the internet! While the internet can be distracting if used incorrectly, it’s equally incredible for the variety of resources it offers us throughout the current time. From tending to your business, to taking care of home improvement projects, here’s a list of some of the best ways you can make use of the internet throughout the 2020 quarantine.
Keep in touch with friends and family
Just because you may be stuck inside for a while, that does not mean you should sacrifice your relationships with your friends and family members. As a matter of fact, now it’s more important than ever before to make sure that you reach out and stay connected to the people in your life. Thankfully, the internet has made this easier than ever before.
Sure, making a call or sending a text message is a great way to keep in touch, but video chat platforms allow for an even greater level of intimacy. Why not use an app like Facetime, Zoom, or Skype to schedule a virtual hangout with a friend or family member? Being able to see someone’s face as you speak with them online makes for a conversation that is much closer to the real thing. During such a trying time, it’s important to remember that keeping in touch with your friends and family can help both you and them to feel much better about the current situation.
Use the internet to learn about how to take care of projects around the house
While staying in touch with friends and family is certainly important, it’s also a good idea to take advantage of some of the extra free time you’re likely to have around the house. If you have any home improvement projects that you’ve been meaning to take care of, now is an excellent chance to do so. While interior improvement projects can certainly be tackled, don’t overlook the outdoors either. For example, you can use the internet to locate cheap tree services and landscaping businesses that can take care of your home’s exterior. Looking after your home is a great way to maintain a sense of normalcy throughout this uncertain time.
More technical and structural projects can also be taken care of during quarantine. Have a room that you’ve always been meaning to paint? Why not order some paint online and get started? Are you looking to replace or repair your heating or air conditioning? Why not use this time to go online and check out some HVAC financing options? Staying productive around the house can help you to emerge from this quarantine with quite a few items scratched off of your home improvement to-do list.
Use the internet to homeschool your children
Of course, as a result of this quarantine, many school systems have been disrupted. Scores of children are stuck at home all day in a sort of extended snow day. Without the regular schedule of the school day to bring order to a children’s day, it can be difficult to continue to maintain a consistent academic routine. This is where the internet comes in handy. Sure, many schools have switched to hosting classes online using video conferencing tools, but you can also take advantage of using the internet to home school your children.
Whether you’re already homeschooling your children or not, now is the perfect time to explore the education options available to you on the internet. For example, there is no shortage of easily accessible preschool curriculum that you can locate with a quick internet search. Lesson plans, online video courses, and more are all available in abundance for anyone who is looking to use the internet to home school their children throughout the quarantine.
If you’re in need of physical resources such as textbooks, then you can also order these online. While many lessons can be taught using only digital resources, some subjects require a more tactile, hands-on approach. While keeping up a regular schedule is certainly important, don’t be afraid to branch out and insert some lessons into unconventional parts of the day. Being able to read with your children at night, for example, demonstrates the flexibility that homeschooling brings into your life throughout this time.
Find online services to deliver products
It’s easy to take the internet for granted sometimes. But, when you look at what’s possible with the internet, it’s quite an incredible resource. If nothing else, the current quarantine situation has certainly made this more apparent than ever before. Using the internet to order products is one of the most practical uses of the utility. If you need to take care of some projects around the house or just keep things running smoothly, then ordering things online is an excellent idea. Whether you’re in need of a plastics distributor to help you tackle a home improvement project, or if you just need some cleaning supplies from an online business, using the internet to order projects is incredibly easy and convenient.
Organizing your work shed or garage is one example of how you can use the internet to make life a bit easier during quarantine. You shouldn’t have any trouble locating wood pallets for sale online. While some supply chains be a bit slower than usual due to the global situation at the moment, ordering these products from online businesses gives you a few distinct advantages. For one, you can often find better deals and prices than you might if you were to visit a business in person. Secondly, ordering online allows you to adhere to health and safety precautions such as social distancing. The next time you need to order something, remember just how convenient the internet makes this process.
Discover a new hobby or learn a new skill
While the 2020 quarantine is certainly a frustrating thing at times, you can also make the best of it by taking up a new hobby or learning a new skill. The internet is a great place to do this. Have you always wanted to learn how to play the piano? All you need to do is go on YouTube to learn the basics of music theory and start your journey! Interested in learning a new language for your next vacation? Services like Duolingo make this easier than ever before! There are all sorts of resources, outlets, and businesses that can help you discover a new hobby or learn a new skill as you pass the time in quarantine.
Even one-off crafts and projects can be an excellent thing to try. There’s nothing saying you have to stick to just one new activity or hobby. Try a lot of different projects or undertakings at first, then stick with those that bring you the most fulfillment and satisfaction. For example, if you want to learn video editing during the quarantine, there are many different approaches you could take. In the process, you may actually discover that you enjoy the process of crafting a soundtrack for your video more than you enjoy editing video clips together. While this could seem discouraging at first, it really just presents a new opportunity. Rather than focusing on your original intention (video editing), you may want to explore the world of soundtracks and sound effects. Mix and match your new hobbies to create unique interests and skill sets that will serve you long after this quarantine is finished!
Find your favorite new binge-worthy show
Of course, it’s unrealistic to expect that you’re going to be productive the entire time that you’re stuck inside during quarantine. Entertainment and leisure time is a necessary part of everyone’s life! And the current quarantine provides an excellent opportunity to watch that tv series you’ve always been meaning to watch. It’s also a great time to discover a new show, movie, or series.
Not sure how to get started? Popular streaming apps such as Netflix offer great recommendations for a whole host of different genres and tastes. If you’re more into anime or animated series, then checking out a genre-specific streaming service such as Crunchyroll may be your best bet. In any case, there’s definitely no shortage of excellent shows to discover during your quarantine.
While you’re at it, why not get your friends and family in on the fun? New tools and services such as Netflix Party allow you to watch your favorite shows with your friends online. Netflix Party is a browser extension that facilitates a chat-room like an environment where you can watch the same Netflix show with other people. This is a great option for those looking to recreate the experience of watching something with friends during the quarantine.
Shop around for future purchases
This current situation presents ample opportunities for getting prepared for the future. This also means that you can get started on prepping your budget and getting ready for future purchases. By checking out online businesses and comparing prices, you can remove a lot of the worry that comes with making larger purchases in the future. For example, if you know that you need to buy some helicopter parts in a few months, then now is the perfect time to begin the research price. Doing so in advance ensures that you can find what you need to meet your needs without breaking your budget.
While fun purchases are certainly viable, you can also take this time to research more essential purchases as well. Take a look at parts that you may need to buy for your car. Transportation is an essential for most people, and while you’re staying at home for some time, this may be a good chance to explore different businesses that sell parts for your car online. There are many online platforms where you can find genuine Mercedes parts for a fraction of the price, for example.
Make use of telemedicine platforms and online healthcare services
Thanks to the internet, you can now access health care services online. There are many platforms that allow you to receive family intervention services and other healthcare services from the comfort of your home. Now is a great time to be proactive about your health.
You can also use the internet to order supplements and other preventative health items. Cannabis delivery has never been easier thanks to a wealth of online platforms. Getting necessary vitamins and nutritional supplements is also a breeze when you’re shopping around online.
Get your finances in order, organize your business, and structure your budget
It’s a good idea to take advantage of this time as a learning opportunity. When finances are involved, this quarantine is teaching every one of us. If nothing else, it’s a great time to remember to expect the unexpected. As a result, taking care of your finances is critical. Did you know that there are approximately 400 million entrepreneurs worldwide? By reading up on a tech entrepreneurship blog, organizing your business and setting a budget, you can position yourself to be financially prepared for whatever might come next in these uncertain times.
Don’t spend all your time online; go outside!
While the guidelines of the quarantine and social distancing measures do not advise going to places where there are lots of people, that doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors at all hours of the day. A walk can do a lot for your health. With the right preparation and approach, you can certainly leave your home without risking your health or the health of others. In fact, getting outside from time to time can be one of the key factors to helping you maintain your health and sanity during this trying time.
First and foremost, when you leave the house you should be careful to only visit areas where it’s likely that there won’t be large gatherings or groups of people. While this may present a challenge depending on where you happen to live, it is absolutely possible to avoid other people when you do go outside. If you’re in an area where there are lots of other people walking, try to choose a walking route that is less populated. This has the benefit of helping you to keep a safe distance from others, but taking a new route is also fun because you can discover new businesses, architecture, and landmarks that you may otherwise miss. It’s very important that when you do encounter other people outside you keep your distance. If this means crossing the street or taking a wide-angle when passing, then make sure you do so to keep your neighbors safe and healthy.
This quarantine certainly presents some challenges to all of us. But it’s important to remember that using the internet and other tools can provide you with endless opportunities for making the best of this time. Whether you’re looking to use this time to improve your business, start a new hobby, or home school your children, the internet is your friend. Good luck and stay healthy!
