The stay-at-home order has given each of us a different outlook on what to do with all the spare time on our hands. By now, life for many has slowed drastically. We’ve binged one, two (maybe three) shows on Netflix and the routine is starting to get a little stale. Now is the time to take advantage of the overwhelming amount of time on our hands to hone in on “adulting” and new-to-you skills that can be translated into everyday life.
If you don’t know where to start, fear not! We have a few ideas for ‘new-to-you’ skills to learn at home or sharpen those you have, that will be beneficial to your life post-quarantine.
1. Earn a New Certification
Extra time at home for most people means more screen time. Whether it is spending time online, streaming movies, documentaries, or watching TV – that’s okay! Take it one step further and take advantage of this extra time by watching a webinar that offers online certification. Think to yourself “Is there anything new I want to learn? Is there anything that will take me one step further in my career and offer additional value to my employer?” Consider earning certification with Facebook Business or Google Analytics – depending on your industry, of course. There are plenty of options out there, some great recommendations are: Adobe, Web Design by Udemy and LinkedIn Learning
2. How to do Your Taxes
With the extension of Tax Day to Wednesday, July 15 this year and the extra bit of time we all seem to have on our hands, it’s the perfect time to sit down and master, perhaps, one of the most intimidating “adulting skills” there is. Sites such as Credit Karma, Bank of America, and H&R Block offer helpful tips and tricks on how to master this task.
3. How to Budget Your Money
Now is the time to reset and refresh. There are hundreds of personal finance blogs on Budgeting 101 and how to start better budgeting your money, or perhaps building a real budget for the first time. Take the time to think through a spending plan that makes sense for you! Check out Nerd Wallet or MoneyWise for tips and ways to budget, pay off debts, and set new-to-you goals for saving money.
4. How to Declutter Your Inbox and To-Do List Regularly
Start with your inbox. Make it a habit to sort through your inbox each morning before diving into the rest of your day until you feel it gets to a manageable level. Sift through junk mail and unsubscribe to newsletters that have been filling your inbox for far too long. This will also allow you to pin down important messages you’ve received and encourage the organization of your daily (or weekly) to-do list. It’s important to make sure you have your priorities in order. To declutter your to-do list, prioritize six tasks each day and understand what tasks can realistically wait until tomorrow. Checking off these six items on your to-do list will always make you feel productive!
5. How to Spruce Up Your In-Home Office
If you haven’t already spruced up your in-home office, it’s not too late! With many of us relocating our workspace to home indefinitely, why not declutter and redecorate? Figure out what makes you feel comfortable and motivated in a workspace. Repaint your office. Order that new rug you’ve had an eye on. Put up new art on the walls. Frame a few inspirational quotes that will keep you driven and grounded throughout the workday. As Marie Kondo would say – imagine your ideal lifestyle and see what sparks joy! Check out Wayfair or Target. They’ll have everything you need to make your home office feel brand new to you.
6. Learn a New Language
This task may sound overwhelming, but we promise, it’s worth it! Learning a new language can be beneficial personally and professionally. It’s an excellent plus on a resume, and if you have any plans to travel in the future, it’s a great skill to make you feel more comfortable in an unfamiliar place where a different language is spoken.
Duolingo is a convenient tool to use for learning a new language. The mobile app offers 30+ languages that are free, fun, and accessible to all. Learning a new language helps keep your memory sharp and enhances concentration skills. With all the extra time spent scrolling through social media apps these days, why not spend time on this app to enhance your skillset?
7. Sign Up for a Free Digital Course
Online learning can be efficient and fun! While staying at home, it’s the perfect time to think about how to broaden your horizons, further your education, add value to your current career or explore the opportunity of a new career path. There may be a course you regret not signing up for in college because there simply wasn’t enough time – now you have the time to take that course and expand on your education! Consider the following courses available online: CS50’s Mobile App Development, Photography with Nikon School Online, Web Design for Everybody with Coursera, and many more options offered through Harvard University.
What new-to-you skills have you learned during quarantine? Let us know if you have any other unique ideas to share! We love to hear your input and suggestions in comments below!
