The Social Distancing Challenge

101 Personal Growth Opportunities

We are currently living through the most significant historical event anyone has experienced in generations. The world seems to be crashing down around us. Many of us are out of work. Most of us are stuck at home or should be. The future is uncertain.

There will be a future, though! We will come out of this. And when we do, wouldn’t it be great to come out as better people than we were before? And because the internet is forever, this post will be around long after the virus is gone.

Right now is the moment! I see so many people coming up with amazing and creative ways to entertain themselves. I want to see them harness that energy and put it towards bettering themselves and the world around them. I also see a lot of concessions to binge-watching TV and alcoholism. This is not a time to fall into a slump! This is a time to rise to the challenge presented to us. This plague is a tragedy, but for some, it can be an awesome positive growth opportunity and a turning point in one’s life. The internet still works, though. And the University of YouTube is, as always, a great free resource. This is a turning point where we can choose to rise up and better ourselves!

Here are 101 things you can start doing today to make the most of a grim situation.

1. pick up a musical instrument — Got a guitar sitting in the corner that’s been gathering dust? Pick it up, open YouTube, and start practicing some chords.
2. take some online classes — Udemy has some of the best courses out there and frequently offers amazing sales. I just bought 6 to help me become a better writer. I haven’t gone through them yet, though, so…
3. harden your work skills — If you’re out of work, now is a great time to build your skillset so you can advance your career when you get back to work.
4. get back into drawing — We all used to draw when we were kids. Most of us stopped at some point. Now’s a great time to start again.
5. take singing lessons — Do you kill it at karaoke? Are you familiar with the shampoo bottle microphone? Why not take it to the next level and take some lessons?
6. learn to paint — Bob Ross videos are available for free. Go paint some happy little trees.
7. get some exercise — You don’t need a gym. There are tons of videos on how to take up bodyweight exercise safely. I’m not advising you to do this as it is possible to injure yourself. It’s something to think about, though.
8. really get into photography — Go beyond taking cat and sushi photos. Learn about aperture, shutter speeds, contrast, lenses, and so on.
9. do some deep research — Do you have a topic that’s always interested you? Maybe it’s something you already know a lot about. Why not open some note-taking software or a notebook and really go deep?
10. get an online degree — I prefer self-education. But there are some immensely valuable things that you can only learn from an accredited university.
11. learn electronics with your kids — This is an awesome time to take up electronics. There are lots of affordable project kits and systems like Arduino that make learning electronics fun and easy.
12. take up woodworking — This can be intimidating because it goes quite deep. But you can make your own custom cabinetry or shelving or desks using only the Kreg pocket hole system and a few essential tools.
13. practice yoga — There are so many forms of Yoga to learn, making it suitable and beneficial for anyone. You don’t even need to take a class, just follow an online video.
14. learn to program — This isn’t for everyone. It takes a certain mindset and a lot of dedication, but it’s easier to get into than ever with sites like freecodecamp.com.
15. get good at cooking — You’re probably already doing more of this than usual. But why not go big and get really good at it? I was deeply inspired by “The Chef’s Table” on Netflix and upped my game almost overnight.
16. practice floral arrangements — It might be tricky to get supplies right now, but this is something you can always learn about online.
17. take up gardening — If you have a backyard, this is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise. I’d suggest looking into how different plants can benefit one another.
18. get involved with political activism — There are so many armchair political activists that do nothing but post to Facebook. Why not get really involved? Pick a cause, learn what you can, find groups, write letters, make suggestions, and make a change!
19. do charity volunteering — There may not be many opportunities for this right now, but the charities are still operational. Why not see if they need any administrative assistance?
20. do foodbank volunteering — If you’re feeling brave, this is a place where you can do A LOT of good.
21. start a vlog — Pick an interest, find out what makes you special, and share it with the world.
22. catch up on all that reading — You know that bookshelf full of dusty books next to the dusty guitar in the corner? Go grab one and open your mind.
23. write that novel you’ve been sitting on — Many of us have one or 3 novels in mind that we’ve been sitting on maybe for years. Why not give it a crack? I like “Anatomy of Story” by John Truby to help learn this.
24. learn to budget — Since so many people are sitting around worrying about money right now, it’s a great time to learn how to make it last!
25. learn to invest — Got a little extra money and time? There are some great ways with a low barrier to entry like Robinhood to help you get started right now.
26. invent a board game — You may not be able to play with anyone for a while, but this is a great creative exercise.
27. learn a foreign language — Travel might be a bad idea right now, but when it comes back, wouldn’t it be awesome to go somewhere and submerge yourself in their culture?
28. invent musical instruments with your family and start a band — This is a great way to do something creative and fun with the whole family while also bonding.
29. clean your garage — Or, if not your garage, then that other room in your house that really needs it.
30. start a virtual book club — In-person might be best, but if you’re doing a lot of reading anyway, why not FaceTime some friends? You can still drink wine if you want.
31. teach your kids a sport — They’re probably not the only ones that really need some exercise right now. Why not go in the backyard and kick a ball around?
32. invent a language — This one may sound kind of silly, but it could be a great analytical exercise in understanding things like linguistics and grammar.
33. study eastern philosophy — I recommend starting with some Alan Watts and going from there.
34. meditate — This doesn’t have to involve chanting and gongs. Mindful meditation is a great way to improve focus, clarity, mood, and so many other things.
35. start a blog — As the experts say — pick a niche, dig in hard, and establish yourself as a thought leader. Seth Godin is a great place to start.
36. write a children’s book — This may sound simple, but you can share a message that could positively impact the lives of millions of little people.
37. learn cake decorating — This has become a complete art form unto itself.
38. start a business — There are almost too many resources on how to do this. It takes grit, but if you KNOW you have what it takes, go for it!
39. become a fashion designer — If you love fashion and the stories that it tells, you may want to try your hand at this.
40. learn architecture — This is a trade that will never go away.
41. become a DJ — Find your groove and share it. Virtual discos are becoming a big thing right now. That seems like a good place to start.
42. learn to dance — You know the saying “dance like nobody’s looking?” Well, right now, nobody is.
43. work your way through the Kama Sutra — This might be easier if you’re alone with a partner, but if you’re creative enough, anything’s possible.
44. reach out to elderly family members — You think you’re lonely right now? You’re probably at least able to go out for groceries. Make sure those people who made our modern life possible are looked after, please.
45. take up scrapbooking — I don’t need to explain what this is. You can get really crazy with it, but you can start with a pair of scissors, glue or tape, paper and a stack of old magazines.
46. try quilting — This is a great olde timey thing to do. It’s an art form that should not be lost.
47. or you could learn to crochet — This is a fantastic hobby with a low barrier of entry that can make fantastic gifts when we get out of quarantine.
48. come up with a comedy routine — You’re a pretty funny person, or at least for friends are always laughing at you. Why not see if you can come up with a set?
49. learn a trade skill — When all this blows over, people will still be pooping and need plumbers. Trade skill education is a lot less expensive than a college degree, and the jobs are always in demand.
50. become a historian — Are you fascinated with a particular period in time or an aspect of culture as it’s appeared throughout history? Why not learn everything you can and share it with the world?
51. put together a jigsaw puzzle with your family — This is a great way to keep everyone in the family doing something off of their phones to build real communication.
52. start a podcast — Do you know something? Then why not share it?
53. become a nutritionist — If you’re sitting around snorfling cheesy poofs and snacky cakes, it might be time to rethink your diet. Why not get really good at nutrition and help others as well?
54. learn marketing — This is a deep ocean and takes a lot of patience to get good at. But once you do, you will have one of the most desirable skill sets that companies are always seeking.
55. double down on your side hustle — If you already have one, now is the perfect time to grow this out and turn it into a real business.
56. catch up on some of those podcasts — They always seem to be streaming in. If you’re an audio learner, they can be a great way to help you relax or expand your mind.
57. start an Etsy shop — There’s always a good demand for unique, handcrafted items.
58. start a Fiverr business — Five dollars for a bit of work may not seem like much, but it can be a great way to find clients that are willing to pay more for bigger jobs and possibly even bring in a consistent income.
59. remodel your kitchen — Don’t break anything, but if you’ve got the time and you’ve got the know-how, go for it!
60. organize your closet — If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even get a closet organization system from Rubbermaid, or whoever and really make it sparkle.
61. start an herb garden — Have you ever tried cooking with fresh herbs vs. dried herbs? It makes a world of difference.
62. learn permaculture — If you live in an apartment or don’t have a big yard but want to grow your own food, this is a great way to go.
63. do some baking — Fill your house with the smell of fresh-baked bread and cookies. Then share your baked goods by throwing muffins over your neighbors’ fences.
64. learn website design — This is a highly popular field for freelancers. And with sites like Wix and Squarespace, it’s easier than ever.
65. become a life coach — If you’ve developed a system to make your life a better place, it would be nice of you to share!
66. organize all the things — Go through those old files on your computer. Sort your family photos. Clean out the junk drawer in your kitchen.
67. learn to fix cars — You may not ever want to learn to rebuild a transmission, but it can’t hurt to learn to change your oil.
68. get a 3D printer — There are so many things to do with these from making fun things with the kids, all the way to fabricating parts like missing handles and switches.
69. try your hand at welding — This is easier to learn than you might think. It can be dangerous, though, so study up before you even think of starting.
70. learn to draw pixel art — If you’re a fan of retro games, this is a great way to exercise your creativity and swim in nostalgia.
71. make a video game — With tools like Unity, this is easier than ever, especially if you’re already a programmer.
72. learn to ferment foods — All you need is sea salt, clean water, veggies, and a few mason jars. It’s a delicious and easy way to make food that keeps and is great for your gut health.
73. make your own kombucha — You can order Scoby mommas from the internets, or you might even have a friend who’s got more Scoby babies than they know what to do with.
74. brew your own beer — Hey, if you’re knocking them back anyway, why not learn where they come from?
75. go backpacking — You don’t need hundreds of dollars of equipment. Just grab some sturdy, well-worn boots, a sleeping bag, and some food and water and take a hike. Go out just a couple miles, set up camp, and see if you like it.
76. learn graphic design — This is a great way to express your creativity and become a candidate in a high demand job field.
77. train your dog or cat — I once saw someone with a well-trained cat and was surprised. They asked if I thought cats were too dumb to be trained. I said I thought they were too smart.
78. become a Notary Public — I have nothing to say about this except that I know it’s a thing.
79. get into Cosplay — Let your geek flag fly!
80. take up tabletop gaming — D&D provides a great blend of socializing and escapism. In an age of video calls, you don’t have to be at the same table anymore.
81. start sewing — Whether you want to maintain your own clothing or get creative and make some wild festival outfits, this is a deep and stimulating hobby.
82. get to inbox zero — If you’re working from home, you probably have more email coming in than ever. But it’s still a great time to get on top of this!
83. find projects on Pinterest — This is an infinite source of creative and fun projects to work on.
84. digitize your photos and papers — Why not take your home office paperless?
85. sell your stuff on eBay — If you’re cleaning the house and out of work this can help you stay afloat and keep you busy.
86. get Linkedin certifications through lynda.com — If you’re out of work, then why not boost your hirability and get back to work at a better job than before?
87. practice self-love and self-care — Maybe this isn’t the time to kick yourself into high gear. Maybe it’s the time to step back and learn to take better care of yourself.
88. learn fortune-telling or astrology — This is a fun and helpful practice. If you’re deeply into it, you can be a spiritual advisor to your friends. If not, it’s great at parties (when we have those again).
89. build your social media presence — Chances are you’re spending a lot of time on social anyway, so why not get really good at it?
90. answer questions on Quora — This is a great way to establish your expertise while building it. One of the best ways to learn something is to teach it.
91. look for work from home opportunities — The site flexjobs.com provides job listings exclusively for work at home opportunities. It is a paid service, but there are real opportunities there that have all been screened.
92. land gigs on upwork.com and freelancer.com — They may not have the best reputation, but it might just be enough to keep you afloat until something better comes along.
93. learn magic — This is a great way to impress your friends when you finally get to see them again.
94. build a battle bot — If you’re really geeky, this could be a fun project to take on.
95. take a personal development course — I wish I had one to offer, but I’m just getting this blog started.
96. learn martial arts — From Krav Maga to Kung Fu. Whatever flavor you prefer, this is a great way to build strength and confidence as well as to protect yourself.
97. take up model building — From model airplanes to highly accurate 1:200 scale historical architecture, this is a soothing hobby that can improve focus and fine motor coordination.
98. create your own sauces, spice blends, and salsas — There’s lots of good stuff on the shelves. But there’s something special about being able to offer your friends amazing food that you made from absolute scratch. And if it’s using recipes they’ll never find anywhere else, that’s even better.
99. build a Rube Goldberg — This may not be as productive and fall more under the category of boredom pastimes, but there are some amazing and creative works out there. I never get bored of watching them. And they can be a great way to promote your business if you need a creative idea on how to do that.
100. do some science experiments with your kids — There are lots of videos on science experiments that provide a fun and interactive way to homeschool your kids.
101. turn your house into a giant blanket fort — What? For my kids to play in? Oh, um, yeah, that’s what I meant.

Some of these may be more fun than productive, but anything’s better than lying around, getting drunk, and watching Tiger King.