The sudden Luzon-wide lockdown to curb the COVID-19 has become a nerve-wracking experience for many people. After all, having to stay indoors for the whole month can get boring quickly. So if you are looking for things to do while going through the Luzon lockdown, here are some great ideas to try out.
Luzon lockdown activity no. 1: Do some chores
Okay, so this one might be a bit of a boring start. But if you felt like you have neglected your house for a long while because of work, then this is the right time to do it. Since you have a whole month off, you can go through pretty much every nook and cranny of the house.
To get into the mood, start with something easy to manage: your closet. Take out all the clothes and start sorting them. Chances are, you will find pieces that you haven’t worn yet. You can also decide which clothes to donate to those who might need them during this time.
From there, move to other cabinets and storage containers you have. As is with your closet, set aside the things that you want to donate. Once you have enough, be sure to package these and get them ready for pick up by local authorities or social workers.
You can also do the more intensive chores like general home cleaning and tidying up your yard. This is a great exercise routine for those who were not able to squeeze in some gym time during their busy schedule. To keep everything organized, create a schedule for your entire lockdown cleaning routine.
Luzon lockdown activity no. 2: Explore the house
After ammouncing the start of the COVID-19 lockdown last March 16, President Duterte drew flak for saying that people should just tour their homes if they are bored. While the statement is indeed distasteful, you can take some cues from it for a bit of home amusement.
This involves some roleplay and imagination. Think of each corner of your house as a different place and “tour” it like a first time visitor. You can even chronicle your “tour” for posterity on your Facebook page, just like several netizens did:
This will be a funny anecdote you and your friends can talk about to no end after the lockdown. Meanwhile, kids will actually like this as a unique playtime experience.
On the other hand, you can also do a more serious tour of your house. The first things you might want to look at are the areas that need some repair. Depending on the kind of repairs to be done, you can buckle right down to work during the lockdown. Additionally, you can decide and plan future renovations to do. This would be a nice motivation for you to work harder after the COVID-19 lockdown ends.
Luzon quarantine activity no. 3: Start a home garden
With the government putting tighter restrictions on outdoor travel during the lockdown period, chances are that you will find your food supply running low. Now would be a great opportunity for you to try growing your food ala-Matt Damon in The Martian.
Luckily, home gardening isn’t rocket science. You can grow a variety of vegetables even on small pots and cups found around the house. Being able to grow some of your food, even in small amounts, is also a great way to extend your budget while keeping meals healthy.
One question you will likely ask is where to get the seeds to plant. The fruits and vegetables you bought from the supermarket will be the main source, so be sure to harvest the seeds and growable parts from them when preparing food. Additionally, many local agriculture offices provide free seeds for those who request them. Focus on the ones that you will most often need, like tomatoes, onions, and calamansi.
Luzon lockdown activity no. 4: Learn a new skill
Chances are, you have always wanted to learn about something, say a new language or how to paint. The lockdown is a rare opportunity for that. What more, the activity will be a good bonding moment for you and your family.
Luckily, there are tons of resources online for those times you are itching to learn. YouTube alone hosts thousands of tutorial videos on any subject. On the other hand, if you have already amassed plenty of books on the subject you want to learn, then you can finally go over them. Since the quarantine will last just for a month, you will be able to cover only a few lessons. But this can serve as an encouragement to continue your learning once quarantine is lifted.
Keep yourself busy during the COVID-19 lockdown
With two more weeks to go, your need to muster a lot of patience to wait until the Luzon lockdown finally ends. By doing these activities, you can hang in there longer and be more productive. You will be surprised at how time seems to fly faster when you are having fun. Stay safe and be ready when the lockdown ends.