7 Ideas for Using Your Time Wisely

This year has been completely dominated by the Coronavirus and its consequences. While we see some relaxations, the regulations are becoming stricter again in many parts of the world. Life is different this year as we cannot do many things we are used to doing.

Traveling is mostly impossible, enjoying the evening in a bar with a group of friends is not allowed, and even work is often done from home at the moment. While these regulations annoy and restrict us at first sight, there is also a good side to it: we have time again. Time for things that we otherwise thought we had no time for. Time for things that may have been forgotten, but to which we should dedicate much more time in life. Let’s use this time wisely.

Here are some ideas.

Grow Your Own Food

Become more self-reliant and start growing your food. No garden? No problem. There are some fruits and vegetables which anyone can easily grow at home, no matter what the season is. Fresh herbs, for example, need only a little space, some sunlight, and regular watering. Basil, mint, ginger, cilantro, parsley, thyme, or rosemary are often used herbs on which you won’t have to spend any more money after today. Start growing them in your kitchen and enjoy using them to cook some fresh dishes. Also, onions, garlic, kale, carrots, mushrooms, and beets can be grown easily at home.

Produce Your Own Environmental-friendly Products

Not only growing your food but also producing some environmental-friendly products can be a good pastime. We use detergents and cleaning products almost daily and can easily produce them at home. This is both inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Make your detergent out of washing soda, curd soap, and water, and you will be surprised how good these simple ingredients smell. Also, cleaning products do not need to be bought in the shop: Baking soda, curd soap, vinegar, and lemon can all be used and will perform as good or better than conventional chemical-based cleaning products. That way, you will have less polluted sewage, avoid plastics, and save money.

Upcycle Old Things

Another great idea to make good use of your time is upcycling. In every household, there are things that we no longer need or like for their initially-intended purpose. Let’s start upcycling them and thus give them a new purpose or change them without changing the function. Upcycling opportunities are huge and multifaceted: use a clothes hanger for a picture frame, make a tiered tray from baking forms, sew pillowcases out of old shirts or upcycle some furniture to fit your style. Whatever you decide to do, it will give your home a new look.

Make a Balcony/Rooftop Garden

If you have a balcony or rooftop, start creating a garden and make your place green with it. This can be fun and fulfilling, and there are many creative ideas on how to design it. From a hanging garden or a micro park to an upcycled garden using a repurposed wooden crate or a vertical herbal garden made out of a wooden pallet, there is almost no limit to your creativity. Make sure you also have a cozy area in which you feel comfortable spending your time.

Help Your Neighbors

This is a good time to do something in the community and help your neighbors. As old and sick people should not go out, why not offer your support to do the shopping or yard work for them? You can also cook a nice meal or bake a delicious cake and give some of it to your neighbors. This not only helps those who need help but also strengthens the solidarity within your neighborhood.

Take Time to Cook Fresh and Seasonal Food

Any additional time we have at the moment can perfectly be used to try new baking and cooking recipes. Take your time and try dishes you wanted to try for so long without finding the time for it. Set a focus on using local and seasonal products so you can get new ideas while also doing something good for the environment and for yourself. You will be surprised at the potential of some vegetables which you have never used before. Enjoy your creative meals!

Self-Care

Take time to stay healthy, meditate, pray, think, dream, and plan for what you want to see in your future. Most of us rarely get a chance to slow down and take the time required to observe our lives, examine where our current efforts are taking us, and changing our tactics and direction if we decide to do so. We can only help others if we take good care of ourselves first – physically, mentally, and spiritually. After self, we can use our energy to focus on doing good work that benefits others and visualizing the good results we wish to manifest in the world.

How are you using your time to be more self-reliant and living in tune with nature?