** This post may contain affiliate links. To read more about affiliate links, please check out my privacy page. **

With self-quarantine in effect, most of us are probably suffering a bit from cabin fever. Thankfully I have a few ideas to keep you busy, with several ways to support local businesses while you do it!

Sidenote: And as many of us know, small businesses around town have been hit hard and most have switched to online-only to keep everyone safe and healthy. If you need to get some shopping done, whether it be garden/home improvement supplies, toys for kids, food, or clothing, try your best to shop small and support our local stores ❤️

Also check out this thread on Facebook for tons of free virtual things to do!

#1 Pick Up a New Hobby or Skill

Remember all those things that you’ve always been “too busy” to learn? I’m here to tell you now is the perfect time to try your hand at whatever that might be. Crafting, cooking, yoga, a new language…you name it, you probably have time to start!

• Kourtney Paints will be offering an online watercolor class soon – see her FB page for more info
• Brit + Co has fun classes on everything under the sun – all currently free with code SELFCARE at checkout | Learn More
• Check out Pinterest for more crafting ideas!

#2 Cross Off Those To-dos

Whether you live in a house or apartment, my guess is that you have a few random to-dos on your list. For me that would mean gardening, painting our bedroom, and cleaning off the back patio. But between my admin job and real estate work I hardly had time to tackle one of these much less all of them. But since we’re all stuck at home, now would be a great time to tackle a few of those projects you have on your list!

#3 Reorganize

Jumping off the last point, my guess is you also have some clutter or that problem closet. I know I do! Take the time to reorganize it. If you’re a reorganizing fanatic, Sara West with South Coast Organizers is offering virtual sessions, or you can check out The Home Edit on Instagram – they’re doing a day-by-day challenge so you can tackle a little bit at a time.

#4 Spring Cleaning!

Quarantine or not, it’s time for Spring Cleaning! Here are a few quick tips to make Spring Cleaning less of a headache, including a few tools I LOVE to use that quickly sanitize all the things.

#5 Start a Garden

This is my crazy plant lady side talking, but as of yesterday (3/19/2020) all of the local landscaping and home improvement stores were still open. With warmer weather here to stay, it’s the perfect time to start a small garden. This is a great time to learn for all my black-thumbs and those with kids – plenty of time to keep an eye on all of your plants! Outdoor gardening not an option? Baton Rouge Succulent Company has a HUGE selection of succulents, indoor plants, and cute fairy garden kits and are currently offering at-home delivery. Outside Stimuli downtown is also one of my favorites for indoor plants, as is Clegg’s and D’s Garden Center.

#6 Get Outside

I’m not sure about you, but the first day the quarantine was announced I saw dozens of people out/about in my neighborhood and around the LSU Lakes jogging, riding their bikes, walking their dogs, etc. If being cooped up is driving you insane, get outside (safely of course)! Go for a leisurely stroll around your neighborhood, head to the nearest park and walk around, or (if you don’t want to leave your house) throw down a blanket in your yard/patio and have your lunch outside. Make it even easier and order takeout or delivery – check out 225 Magazine’s list of all restaurants offering it here – and set up a fun picnic outside!

#7 Stay Fit

With gyms being closed, keeping up a fitness routine is tough. Thankfully several local businesses have provided online classes, most of which are free, and there are several other options to stay fit at home!

• Body Sculpt Barre in Central is offering FREE live classes | see here
• Grace Yoga on Highland is working on getting video classes done | follow them to find out when
• Down Dog is making all of their classes free across all apps through April 1 – Barre, Yoga, HIIT, and 7-Minute Workout | see here
• Planet Fitness has a few home workout ideas available for you on their story highlights
• Check out Pinterest for at-home bodyweight workouts!

#8 Cook Something New

Going back to point #1, but with food! Red Stick Spice is doing live videos on Facebook, and trying out a new recipe would be fun with the little ones. Last I heard the Red Stick Farmers Market (Thurs at Pennington + Sat downtown) at The Market at The Oasis (Sat) were both still on. So grab some local produce and get cooking!

Cooking not your thing? You can still support local businesses by ordering takeout or delivery – check out 225 Magazine’s list of all restaurants offering it here.

#9 Catch Up on Some Reading

While I’m a huge bookworm and find time to read, most people tend to push it off for “later”. And just like with our to-dos, our list keeps piling up. Now that we’re stuck at home for a while, we all have some time to get some reading done! In case you didn’t know, EBR Library has a HUGE digital library with lots of ebooks, audiobooks and magazines. They also offer many other digital services like video storytime (perfect for kids), films and online classes in case you aren’t a huge reader. Cottonwood Books is a fantastic local option to purchase books!

Amazon also has Kindle Unlimited which is perfect for ebooks and audiobooks.

#10 Stay Social Virtually

I’m here to remind you we live during a time where we have access to so much amazing technology that allows us to stay social without ever having to physically be around another human being. Skype, FaceTime, FB Live, Instagram Live, etc. Since most of us are at home, take some time to check up on your friends. Have a virtual lunch or coffee date, chat with loved ones, catch up with old friends, or have a virtual game night with friends or extended family.

Or make some new friends by joining Southern Flair’s Happy Hour Club on Facebook – she’s starting up fun FB live videos on everything from workouts to hand lettering, and once this quarantine is over there are monthly happy hour and workout meet-ups!

#11 Redecorate

Going off the points about reorganizing and crossing off those to-dos, now would be a great time to redecorate! Changing of the seasons means changing out a few decor items for many people, but why not freshen up your space a bit more while you have the time? Go small and switch out accent pieces like lamps/rugs/pillows or go big and repair an entire room. A can of paint can also do wonders for older furniture! Spend some extra time browsing Pinterest for inspiration and choosing your pieces to get a more curated look.

Check out The Market at Circa 1857, Wooden Haven Furniture, Pink Elephant Antiques, and Nadeau Furniture for bigger items and The Royal Standard, LD Linens & Decor, and all makers listed in Mid City Makers Market for fun accent pieces.

#12 Have a Binge-Watching Session or Fun Movie Night

Catch up on all your shows! If you’re anything like me, you don’t watch TV much. Which means there is a lot to catch up on! Catch up, start watching something new, or have a fun movie night instead. Build a fort if you have kids (go nuts even if you don’t have them – I won’t judge), have an indoor “picnic” in your living room with pizza and snacks, or play a drinking game while you watch.

Combine being virtually social – have a live chat with your friends while you catch up on your favorite shows!

Have any ideas to add? Comment below or shoot me an email at cameronboudreaux@redsticklife.com!