Use your extra free time to learn something new while gaining novel skills at the same time. Who says being productive can’t be fun?
Baking Boss
If you’re a novice in the kitchen, baking can be tricky as precision and care are crucial, but once you get the hang of it, you will be rewarded with sweet treats and lush baked goods. There is tons of how-to information on the internet, including tutorial videos that can easily turn you from a kitchen rookie to a baking boss. If you don’t own an oven, fret not, because you can look for numerous no-bake dessert recipes online. Check out BBC Good Food for a start (@bbcgoodfood).
Master of Mixology
If sugary delicacies aren’t your thing, choose something more intoxicating, like the art of concocting cocktails. The easy way to do this is to Google recipes for classic cocktails (and you will find an endless choice!) and start from there. Once you have mastered the tricks, you can try more elaborate, twisted tipples. If you want to step it up a notch, look for the Instagram accounts of your favourite mixologists, and chances are they have tutorials and tips. Try Naomi Leslie (@rogue_barkeep_balvenie) or Mattias Dylan Horseman (@thebarpoet) for a start.
Embroidery Expert
If you think embroidery is passé and belongs to your grandmother’s era, then you cannot be more wrong. Many people from a wide age range opt to embroider to soothe stress and some even say it’s a meditative hobby that helps you reach peace of mind. You don’t even have to dwell on uninspired floral patterns, you can stitch your own objects of interest or even cheeky statements. Head to Instagram accounts like @embroidery_tutorials for more how-to info.
HIIT the Spot
HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is all the rage right now in terms of exercising. It’s a form of training strategy that revolves around cardiovascular exercise alternated with short periods of intense anaerobic exercise and less intense recovery periods. HIIT is not exclusively for those hard-core fitness buffs as anyone can do it at home – all you need is the drive. Effective for a whole-body workout and stimulating your heartrate, HIIT is a challenging yet rewarding pastime. Follow @mrandmrsmuscle for goals and inspiration!
Learning Languages
Excellent fluency in English is barely enough these days; you might want to pick up or even master a second or possibly third language. Applications like Duolingo can be really helpful to teach you a new language. If you want to casually or sporadically learn languages as you browse your Instagram, make sure you follow these accounts: @ohlalajadore for French, @daysofdeutsch for German, @howtospanish for Spanish, and @finkingcap for Finnish.
