The cold and frosty wind may be keeping everyone indoors for now. Staying entertained while cooped up is an important part of maintaining mental healthiness.
Lounging around binging movies and TV shows from streaming services can start to get old eventually. If you’re looking for ideas, here are a few.
Learn to paint
It is surprisingly affordable to start learning to paint. Canvases are available from dollar stores, and so are paints and brushes. Entry-level supplies work just fine in the beginning, and many artists continue to use dollar-store materials for years.
YouTube is chock full of free video tutorials that teach the basics of putting paint on canvas in a moderately-straightforward way.
The most difficult part of learning to paint is avoiding excessive self-criticism. Research has shown that criticism is not nearly as helpful as praise. This is because the best teacher is experience – putting in the time – and praise is motivational while faultfinding is not. So, for the sake of continuing your new hobby, decide from the get-go to put your inner critic on mute.
Find a new book or series
The Moose Jaw Public Library has a massive selection of all kinds of literature. If you aren’t in the mood for densely-packed, vocabulary-pushing material, they also have graphic novels, manga, and comic books.
If you aren’t sure what you like, you can chat with a librarian who would be happy to quiz you, then suggest titles. They can even decide for you, sending you home with a handful of authors to try.
The library also has video games and movies to lend out.
Try a different cuisine
Holidays at home can be possible with the combination of two things: travel shows and cookbooks.
There are all kinds of interesting shows exploring the many cultures and cuisines of the world. COVID has thrown a wrench into many travel plans. But, while it may not possible to go there in-person right now, it can be interesting to explore new tastes from home.
The late Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown comes to mind. If a certain culture's dishes catch your eye, buy a cookbook (or borrow one from the library) and try them out yourself. Perhaps it won’t work out well the first time. On the other hand, at the very least it will be a break from routine, and it may lead to a skill/hobby that will permanently spice up your life.
Learn how to play D&D
Dungeons and Dragons was first published in 1974. Since then, it has only grown. It remains the best-known and most-played role-playing game in the world. It has been helped along by many pop-culture references and celebrity players.
Introductory D&D tabletop packs are available from most games stores (or Amazon). The intro pack will guide you and your family step-by-step through your first adventure.
If the family isn’t interested, or if playing digitally is more to your preference, websites like Roll20.net may solve the problem. Roll20 provides forums that make it easy to find and join a group. It can also provide a platform to create your own adventure at home.
The dice rolls, character creation, and adventure are laid out in an automated, easy fashion that can eliminate much of the learning curve.
The continued mainstream normalizing of role-playing games is also making them more acceptable. Now, you can have an amazing time with a weekend gaming session while not hiding the activity for fear of ridicule!
