For all you social butterflies out there, I can only imagine how daunting self-isolation can seem. Luckily, I’ve compiled a list of things that will get you through this difficult time! (And no, they’re not ways to keep up with coursework, although that is important too!)

1) Clean your room/wardrobe! 

You know that one pesky corner of your room that’s been filling up with junk. You've probably told yourself you’d clean it over and over again but never got around to it. Well, now’s your chance

Try the Marie Kondo method. She lays out her entire process in her Netflix series and book, Spark Joy, (both of which you may want to investigate), but for your convenience I’ve summed up her main points here!

• Throw away items you don’t need BEFORE you start cleaning. Otherwise, you’re not cleaning, only storing things away.

• Clean in categories rather than rooms. For example, tidying all clothes in one go will allow you to get a better idea of how many you have. This will improve prioritisation of things you do and don’t need.
• Follow the ‘Marie Kondo’ order: clothes, books, paper, random items, and sentimental items
• Ask yourself if the item ‘sparks joy’. If not, discard it!

2) Exercise, now that you have the time!

Often, we associate the home as a place to relax, which can lead us to forget that we need to remain active as an important part of a balanced lifestyle. There are a number of free online workouts which you can complete in self-isolation to stay active.

• The website Fitness Blender offers a range of free workout videos catering to all different types of fitness goals. You can refine your searches to find the workout most optimal for you.
• Sweaty Betty is another video based workout website that has something for everyone, from beginners to advanced!
• Do Yoga With Me has video tutorials for all levels of yoga if you’re stressed, want to refine your skills, or looking to try something new!
• Make Your Body Work has a bunch of video workouts that are all "no equipment" based, so anyone can give it a go.

3) Learn a new recipe (or two)

Search up the UNSW Student Cookbook for easy yet delicious recipes! They have recipes that cater to all different types of food requirements as well. Here’s one of my favourites:

Nutella Brownies: Pierre Hemmings (recipe taken straight from the Student Cookbook site)

Ingredients

• 1, 1/2 cup Nutella
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup self-raising flour

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180c. Line a 20 cm baking tray with aluminium foil.
2. Mix Nutella, flour and eggs into a large bowl until smooth and lump-free.
3. Pour the mixture into the tray and bake for 15-20 minutes.
4. Cool for 15 minutes in the tray before serving.

4)   Make/update your bucket list! 

It’s easy to fall into the pattern of taking life for granted, so write down all the ways you’ll make it worthwhile after this is all over.

Can’t think of anything? HelloBestow.com has a great range of ideas!

5)   Read that book you’ve been meaning to, but never had the time.

Here a few of my recommendations!

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Take it all the way back before Twilight and The Vampire Diaries were a thing and read the novel that started it all. You wont regret it.

The Tiger In The Well by Philip Pullman

A bit of an old-timey one, but a very well written story chronicling London and its lies.

Mythos by Stephen Fry

If you’re into Greek mythology and comedy, this one’s for you. Stephen Fry’s hilarious retelling of well known Greek myths, from Kronos to Zeus will have you hooked.