As the United States closes schools and colleges because of the spread of the 2020 coronavirus, you might suddenly find yourself with a lot of free time. It’s rare to have such free time, so take advantage of it! I’m a bit of a workaholic, so I look forward to (maybe) having more time to dedicate toward my projects. But you might not know what to do with all the sudden free time (assuming you aren’t taking online classes!). Here are a few of my suggestions. Of course, watching anime and reading manga remain options!
1. Write a Book
You’ve heard of NaNoWriMo. Do something similar with this time off. The only way to write a book is to, well, write! Now’s the time to do it. Of course, you don’t have to publish it. Most books are written for the author’s benefit. You can write your own characters or write a fan fiction book. As a writer, I find time and energy the largest barriers to production. I work full time. If you are quarantined, you now have time most writers crave. You can use the Internet to research the elements of good storytelling and writing, but don’t stop at that. Write!
2. Learn a Craft or Art or Programming Language
Just because you are couped up at home, doesn’t mean you can’t still place online orders. If you had long wanted to learn a craft like crocheting or an art like painting, order some beginner’s supplies (For art supplies I recommend DickBlick. They aren’t sponsoring JP; I just like ’em) and load some YouTube videos and get to it! Learning a new craft or art can be frustrating and time consuming, but remember that everyone begins as a beginner. Everyone produces “crap” as they learn. That crap builds your skill one brushstroke, one stitch, at a time. Be patient with yourself and have fun with it!
Always wanted to learn how to make a video game? Teach yourself a programming language. As with the arts, you will struggle and produce broken things. But each broken program offers something to teach. My hard drive is littered with the detritus of broken video games from back when I was in university.
Thanks to all those who are delivering our mail and packages! Please stay safe and well.
3. Start a Blog
I know blogging is old school compared to social media, and long time readers know my opinion of social media. However, blogging offers you space that belongs to you. Social media sites subject you to their whims. A blog is yours (if you pay for hosting). If you want to start an anime blog, I offer many tips. The biggest trick with blogging is to keep with it and have fun. The most successful bloggers keep at it for years. JP is approaching a decade old faster than I had expected! The practice of blog writing, the discipline it requires, extends to other projects: writing or not. Anime blogging also requires you to learn the skill of active-watching. Once you start analyzing anime, you learn that you have to pay attention to story construction, animation techniques, and other aspects that goes into telling a story. This makes anime-watching (or anything else you blog about) more engaging and thoughtful. It makes the experience less passive.
4. Start a Healthy Routine
Thanks to the coronavirus, you now have time to change your life. No, really, you do have time to change your approach to life. You have a chance to change your schedule (with returning to work in mind) and start new, healthy habits. You’ve always wanted to start a meditation habit? Do it! Set a time and get started. Wanted to learn how to cook healthier? Read and experiment! New habits take time and space to form. You have space to start a habit without the usual risks of the habit dying in infancy. Work and school and other pressures are good at killing habits! While the coronavirus is terrible, it also present a rare chance to focus.
5. Read Books
I’m a librarian, so you should’ve expected this suggestion! Studies show that our Internet culture has killed our ability to focus and deep read. You can continue to consume social media and other shallow online media, or you can start a habit of deep thinking and focus by reading books. At first, it will be difficult. For example, although I’ve always been an avid reader, my ability to focus has diminished. I used to be able to read for 4-6 hours a time. Now, I’m lucky to remain focused for an hour or two. It takes time to rebuild the focus-muscle of the brain. And it requires us to unplug from shallow media. You will crave it. You will want to hear more about the coronavirus. Your mind will wonder, even if the book is interesting. But if you keep exercising the muscle, it will get easier. As with anything worth doing–meditation, healthy habits, blogging, learning a craft–effort is required. Books enrich our lives. Everyone needs to read, and there are books for every interest.
Keep Busy
No matter what you decide to do, I suggest you keep busy instead of worrying about the coronavirus outbreak. Time is limited. While the virus outbreak is a problem, we should also be grateful for a chance to refocus on life outside of work and all the other demands. It gives you time to spend with your family. Life and work demands too much of our time and attention usually. So take advantage of this chance (if you have it) to stop, rest, and cultivate yourself. When everything returns to normal, you will have new habits in place to help you live a better balanced and a richer life.
