The Virus is an Opportunity


In light of the current virus situation, we’re all spending way more time at home. It’s super easy to spend all the extra time we have on recreational activities, like watching TV, playing video games, browsing social media, etc. As there isn’t much going on, we need other things to keep us occupied that better ourselves.

While we’re spending more time at home, there are so many things that we can do with the extra time that we have. We can get around to the things we’ve been putting off for a while.

I noticed that with all the extra time I have on my hands, a lot of it has been going down the drain – like playing video games or watching YouTube. Yet I could have been doing things that would benefit me more in the future, such as learning a new language, developing a new skill, or reading more books. While the pandemic is a huge threat, it is also an opportunity.

Imagine what you could do with the time you’ve saved thanks to the current situation. Whether your workplace has been shut and you can’t work from home, or you can work from home but don’t have to commute anymore, or even if you still have to go out to work, you’ll still have some time from things outside of work that have been cancelled.

Here’s a quick list of things you could try in these uncertain times:
  • Learn a new language (or revisit one you haven’t used in a while)
  • Start running/cycling
  • Learn maths/science online with websites like Khan Academy or Brilliant
  • Start meditating regularly
  • Create a blog
  • Learn to play a musical instrument
  • Create pieces of art like paintings or music
  • Listen to audiobooks
  • Write a short story; or even a whole book
  • Learn to code
  • Create a new website
  • Complete an online course in any topic that interests you
  • Try cooking new meals
  • Try going vegetarian for a month
  • Learn to play chess
  • Join an online club/group
  • Spread daily acts of joy/kindness to others
  • Revise for exams or prepare for the next school year
  • Practice comedy
  • Try going on a fast, or intermittent fast
  • Create challenges for yourself in any area of life
  • Start a regular social event with your friends
  • Create a YouTube channel
  • Start journaling
  • Create an online business
  • Read educational books
  • Learn to juggle
If you do anything on the list or something similar, it can be a great thing. Not only are you learning new stuff or creating new things, but you will also gain some fulfilment from making progress, and not letting yourself regress during the current crisis. Regardless of your current situation, progress in meaningful ways will make you happier. Stagnating or falling behind in life will usually bring the opposite.

Don’t let the summer months fly by, try making them meaningful.