Perth, we’ve had a good run, but it’s now our turn to spend some time at home. 

After 10-months of relative freedom compared to the rest of the world, we understand this might be a shock to the system. So if you’re stuck on what to do at home, we’ve compiled a list of five things to do that will keep you busy until the lockdown is lifted. 

1. Kick some Reading Goals

We all know how it goes: you buy a book, are excited to read it, get home, put it down and then never pick it up again. It sits there on the shelf waiting to be read but you just never have the time. Well, we’re here to tell you that the time is now. While we can’t leave home for our usual weeknight catch-ups or gym sessions, it’s the perfect time to spend the evening curled up on the couch with a good book. And if you’re stuck on what to read, we’d recommend The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, and Michelle Obama’s autobiography Becoming.

2. Get Cultured with the Small Screen

Soothe your pining for international holidays from the comfort of your couch with a foreign-language film or television show. Unless you’re fluent in the language of the show you’re watching, these can require a little more mental effort than your standard movie night, but we promise it’s worth it. Film and television made for different markets and cultures is a great way to add variety to your viewing, especially if you’re finding yourself re-watching episodes of that one show you loved two years ago. Why not check out one of the great French comedies on Netflix, or, if you’re looking for something a bit scarier, test your limits with Japanese or Korean horror? Tip: Watch with English subtitles, not dubbing!

3. Start Tuning into Podcasts

Whether you’re kicking back on the couch or looking for something to entertain you while getting things done, you can’t go past a good podcast or audiobook. We never thought housework could be fun until we got hooked on these in 2020, and with the way 2021 has kicked off, we don’t think this love affair will be ending any time soon. The best part? You can stick with your new-found hobby long after lockdown ends, adding interest to your commute, daily exercise or weekend tasks.

Some of our current favourites are The New York Times’ Rabbit Hole for insight into how social media and internet culture can impact politics; Camille Bianchi’s The Nurse for any true crime fans (make sure to check out the content warnings first, though!); and Harvard Business Review’s Dear HBR: for bite-sized pieces of advice on navigating the workplace. Otherwise, for something different, why not take your pick from one of these 10 best podcasts that you need to listen to in 2021?

4. Learn a New Skill 

One of today’s often forgotten skills is mending – it keeps your mind engaged, your wallet happy, and protect the environment at the same time. While many of us can only dream of making our own ready-to-wear clothes, learning to mend is a simple way to extend the life of your favourite pieces. Get cosy with your favourite drink and learn how to wield a needle and thread for better. If you’re in a quirky mood, take a look at visible mending – a movement aimed at normalising repaired clothes by making colourful, obvious repairs you can be proud of.

5. Cook a Meal you’ve Never Made

Take advantage of the reduced temptation to eat out and make dinner time fun by learning how to cook a new dish. Is there a meal your mum always used to make when you were a kid but you’ve never made yourself? Maybe you’re inspired by another culture to make something you’ve never tried? Clear your kitchen and get ready to cook up a storm. We’ll give you bonus points if you can create something using only the ingredients you already have at home. For some inspiration, check out our Recipe section for a full step-by-step guide on how to make some of Australia’s favourite eats. Or, if you’re looking for a happy hour at home, why not whip-up this Baileys Dalgona Martini Cocktail?

Looking for something else to do? Sign up to one of these 10 Australian home-delivered hobby subscription boxes for adults to keep you busy. And, to help put your mind at ease, relax and read over these five expert tips on staying positive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feature image: Photographed by John Tuesday. Image via Unsplash