Beating Cabin Fever: Things to Do Inside
- Variant Magazine
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Audrianna Imka
With sub-zero temperatures and an astronomical snowstorm working its way across the country comes the all-too-familiar Midwest feeling of being stuck inside. Hazardous driving conditions and the blistering cold are enough of an excuse to turn down plans that involve trekking to a secondary location.
I saw a TikTok recently that was captioned, “so many hobbies, so little time.” What better time to explore all things habitual than the notoriously dreary early months of the calendar year? As a self-named connoisseur of the cozy, crafty, and calm, let me walk you through some of the best ways to keep your body warm and your hands busy!
Reading (but make it a game)
This one might seem painfully obvious, but bear with me. If you aren’t already a fan of diving into alternate realities within pages, or you’ve found yourself in one of those pervasive “reading slumps,” downloading a book-tracking app might be the right move for you. PageBound is an up-and-coming app, designed by women and free of all forms of AI. It includes forums for all books, quests that “gamify” your reading journey, and ways to track all aspects of your bookish journey!
Also…get a library card! Public libraries give you access to physical and digital forms of any book you could possibly imagine for free…who can say no to that? The Athens County Public Library goes beyond the typical book/movie rentals - you can search their “Library of Things” for exercise equipment, board games, and short-term bike rentals! They also have cozy places to sit and free Wifi if you’re looking for a nearby change of scenery.
Pinterest Collaging
Image source: @sarahi_valentina on Pinterest
One of my close friends has recently been hooked on making Pinterest collages, and after trying it, it became obvious why. With its fairly new collage feature, you can automatically turn any pin you find into a cutout, with infinite options for what you can create. This is a super convenient, free, user-friendly way for you to let your creative side out without feeling any of that artistic pressure.
Research Your Family History
(Or anything you’ve been wanting to learn more about)
Image source: https://organizingphotos.net/family-history-disaster/
A few months ago, I found myself wandering down a genealogical rabbit hole. Before I knew it, it was 2:30 a.m. and I had been on the couch for over five hours with paper, pencils, and my laptop scattered all around me. Most genealogy sites offer week (or month long) free trials, which gives you the perfect amount of time to find some ridiculously cool information and documents without having to pay a cent. If ancestry isn’t something that interests you, you could also opt for a particular historical event, conspiracy theory, or biography of a celebrity. Use this down time to learn more about the things that have always interested you, and be the person who blows everyone’s minds next time you go to trivia night.
Coloring Books
Image source: @jamiemarie_xo on Pinterest
Coloring books are another great option for people who aren’t confident in their own artistic abilities, or who get stressed out by the sight of a blank piece of paper. Whether you opt for one of the classic princess/superhero themed activity books from your childhood, or a more intricate botanical adult coloring book, these are the perfect way to keep your hands busy while watching a show or listening to music and play around with fun colors and patterns.
Clean Out Your Closet
Image source: @ogkimora on Pinterest
There is something to say for the sense of relief and clarity that comes from having a decluttered and functional closet. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed trying to pick out an outfit, or you worry that you don’t get use out of many of the pieces you own, it might be time to give them a new home! Many local thrift stores openly accept donations in good condition, or you could opt for reselling items on Depop or Poshmark to make some extra money. Around Athens, you can head to Goodwill, New-To-You, UpCycle, or Little Wing to pass your clothes along to a new owner. Either way, you’re contributing to a secondhand clothing market that combats fast fashion, and making your space more organized in the process.
Whether you choose to try out some of these suggestions, implement some of your own, or ditch the blankets and brave the winter weather, I hope everyone stays warm and entertained for the rest of the winter!
Comments