Learn a Language
Learning a few words in the local language is a great way to prepare for a trip.
Learning a language is easier than you might think. There's an online service called duolingo that is free and offers mobile apps as well.
If you're more old school and prefer audiotapes then you might enjoy the michel thomas method.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Pickle and Ferment
Learn how to pickle and ferment. So many great flavours and so many options!
Pickle and Ferment
There's a show on youtube called It's Alive that demonstrates a lot of fermentation and pickling techniques.
Some highlights include pickled eggs sauerkraut and kimchi.
There's also a few books that you can read as a preperation like The Art of Fermentation and there's some great online resources on how to pickle.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Awesome Omelette
There's a lot of ways to cook an egg. Spend some time perfecting a recipe for you.
Awesome Omelette
There are many ways to prepare an egg but the omelette remains a standard.
Many chefs have a variant and there's different styles too. The french variant seems especially popular.
The maintainer of this project has especially fond memories of Delia Smith's cookbook and it has a small chapter on how to prepare eggs. There's a video on her omelette as well now though.
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Contribute to Science
One way in which you can make a contribution is by labelling. You can help mozilla to teach robots how to speak or openstreetmaps by helping them label your neighborhood. You can also help universities in general via the zooniverse project.
Another way to help is to offer your computers resources to perform complicated computations. Projects like folding at home allow you to help with calculating how protein structures fold (which is helping the fight against many diseases like corona).
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Five Spices
Blindfold yourself and pick 5 random spices at the supermarket. Figure out a dish for each.
Five Spices
If you're in doubt, pick up smoked paprika, cinnamon, korriander, cumin and thyme. These spices are flexbile and are useful in many diches.
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Pomodoro
Pomodoro is a method of working in 25 minute segments.
It makes you aware of the time in a day and it prevents you from getting stuck in a rabbit hole. There's a great video on youtube and a small course can be found here.
There's great apps that you can download but the most popular one seems to be tomighty. If you're interested in knowing more behind the theory behind it you might appreciate reading the book written by the creator.
Alternatively, you can use this free website to set a timer.
If possible, consider buying the book from a local book-store.
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Breathing Exercises
Buy a straw and breathe through it. It gives youa calm heart rate. These exercises really have an effect.
Breathing Exercises
Check out this 12 minute TED Talk by Lucas Rockwood breaking down different types of breathing exercises.
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Try Knitting
It's relaxing and it gives you clothing! Scarves are easy to start with, but warm socks are amazing too!
Mini Garden
Help something grow and get tasty snacks or herbs at the end of it! Plant a few herbs or some flowers to sit on your kitchen windowsill.
Mini Garden
You can go completely pro on this can get something like the ikea vaxer but you can also consider something low tech.
You can use a leftover peanutbutter jar or an old mug as a place to grow the greens. Put a little bit of soil in it, put in a few seeds and make sure that it receives water.
Here's a video on how to grow an infinite amount of basil from a single plant.
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Mathematical Arts
If you're looking for a source of inspiration, check out this blog. In particular, the japanese technique of hitomezashi is a highlight.
Another good source can be the doodling in maths class youtube playlist.
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Bounce the Ball
You've seen the youtube videos with long chains of ping-pong balls bouncing. Set your own record!
Bounce the Ball
Here's an awesome video that demonstrates what is meant. Don't forget to record it!
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No Plastic
Also, look around your house. There will be some plastic lying around the corner that no longer serves purpose to you. Consider safely throwing it out. Read this 4 minute article on recycling plastic.
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Cat Furniture
It can be a great way to recycle cardbord boxes but it is also a great crafting exercise. There's igloo houses you could make but also proper scratching posts or pad.
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Lazer Cutting
Odds are that you've got a lazer cutter nearby. They can cut plastics, wood and carton for you in whatever shape you'd like. If you want a custom shape for your box you could check out makercase. Or trispace.
If you'd like inspiration, check out this cardboard chair, this wooden topographical map, this steampunk lamp and these beverage coasters.
Heck, there's even people lazer cutting their own peach pie.
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If you have a garden you can turn your trash into good soil. Add worms and you'll have less waste!
Gift a Stranger
The largest gift exchange on the planet is reddit gifts. They offer all sorts of categories for gift giving and they have a match-making process. You can send a gift to Slovenia and get one from Africa.
There's some gems that were given too. There's that time when Schwarzenegger drew a cat and that time when somebody sent a fully functional safe. Even Bill Gates participates.
The best advice here is to make the gift a story worth remembering. It can be great fun.
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Sock Puppets
You can check out some video tutorials on how to start with it here
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Latte Art
Taking the time to make a coffee can make you appreciate it's flavor more. So there's multiple reasons why to add it to you're coffee ritual. But you can also impress your friends with some dazzling spirals.
There are lots of resources out there, but you could start here or here. If you really want to go for bonus points, you can even make 3d coffee art.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Pick Up a Ukelele
It tends to be one of the cheapest, but also easiest to learn musical instruments out there.
Pick Up a Ukelele
To learn a fun Spongebob song (beginner friendly) follow this link
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Celebrate Boardgames
There are a lot of board- and cardgames that are well worth your time.
If you'd like to try collaborative games you might like Bandito or Pandemic.
If you'd like to get started with two player games then you might like Santorini or Patchwork.
For large groups you might consider Catan.
If possible, consider buying them from a local toy-store.
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Train Pushups
One of the best exercises to get fit and develop good physique to do is pushups. If you have never done a single push or have struggled with the right posture, check out this video.
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Swap Transport
Try out biking, public transport, carpooling or skating instead of your usual mode of transport.
Swap Transport
It can be a boon to your health but also a great way to save money.
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Furniture Socks
It's a category of it's own on etsy but they can be really rewarding to make yourself. You can find multiple tutorials on how to do this on youtube but you can also find step by step guides on blogs.
They also tend to be great protectors against scratches.
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Buy a box of legos and build it ... without using the instructions manual. Throw it away!
Photoshop Battle
On reddit there's a photoshop battle that's often humerous. Also a great excuse to learn.
Photoshop Battle
If you want to get an impression of the competition, check out the winners from 2018 and 2019.
If you're completely new to digital image editing then you may want to start with gimp. It is a free tool that should have everything you need to get started. If you're willing to invest then you might enjoy pixelmator too.
Tutorials are aplenty on youtube.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Donate
Go through your old clothes, books, and household items, and set aside a box to donate to friends or charity.
Museum Virtual Tour
You can visit some of the best collections in the world online, such as the Louvre Museum. Google it!
Play with Sensors
Raspberry Pi is a great invention and there's a lovely community.
All the great resources for getting started can be found on the official webpage.
If you're interested in sensors you may want to check out the pimoroni store. They make great sensors that are plug+play and they tend to have great support for python. The customer service is great too and they have inspiring tutorials on their website.
If possible, consider buying gear from a local store.
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Turn this into a challenge. While keeping it healthy, how long can you last $50 in a supermarket?
Photo Album
It's time to clean out your digital repository of photos taken over the years and create a (physical) photo album. You can create one digitally and have it printed (e.g. here's a Dutch supplier) or select and print your favourite memories and cut & paste them in a physical photobooklet yourself.
Be creative but also think back. What are your most important memories?
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.World Digital Library
Google it! You can search 19,147 items about 193 countries between 8000 BCE and 2000.
Spring Cleaning
Let's be honest, it might be overdue. It is super rewarding to be in a clean house though!
Ergonomics
A simple video that high-lights the computer setup you'll need can be found here.
But ergonomics goes a bit further, you also want to take regular breaks after sitting behind a laptop for a while. The pomodoro technique can be of help here but there's also apps that remind you to take a break, like time out.
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Repair Clothes
Learn to make small repairs to clothes. It saves money and it might save your favorite t-shirt.
Write Thoughts
This video highlights the benefits of journaling and it may motivate you to give it a go.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Listen to Podcasts
Tune down the music and listen to podcasts while you're in transit. You might learn something.
Solve Rubix
You can buy a rubix cube online from the official creator. There's a simple variant or there's harder ones.
After buying one though, you'll need to solve it. There's guides online as well as videos that will help get you started.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Volunteer
There's a lot of places that appreciate help. Volunteer for something you care about.
Childhood Books
If you're a fan of calvin and hobbes you can see their antics online or you can buy the whole collection.
Odds are that if you're from Europe that you're more into Asterix and Obelix. You can get these digitally too over at the official website.
Then there's the DC and Marvel ones. These can be read on your phone these days.
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Banana Pancakes
Check out this awesome banana pancake recipe:https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/banana-pancakes.html
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Magic Cards Tricks
There's a lot of cool card tricks to learn. Just don't overdo the party tricks.
Survive as a Vegetarian
Do it for a full month! It really forces you to learn to cook with spices.
Pet Toys
Cats love catnip and it's pretty easy to make toy for it.
Dogs may need something sturdier but a sock and a water bottle can go a long way.
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Pet Fame
There's some great examples on the internet; there's a couple who demonstrates how to use a green screen with a cat, a collection of photoshopped cat faces, dogs that look like food, an owner masking his dog unto famous people or this man who turns his dog into a giant. You can also keep it simple and just record how animals react to objects.
It's a great excuse to learn some photoshop skills or to learn how to do some digital video editing and there's many ways to make your pets famous. Just make sure that whatever you do with your pets, they enjoy it too.
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Digital Minimalism
Focus your online time on a carefully selected activities that support the things you value.
Digital Minimalism
You can start small. Try to eradicate your facebook feed or attempt a distraction-free youtube. Take control of your phone.
Consider becoming a digital minimalist.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Sign Language
They're fun to learn. Simple gestures to make the world a more inclusive place <3.
Learn to Say Thanks
... in 50 languages! You'll always have a happy waiter where-ever you'll go.
Learn to Say Thanks
Watch this video that shows you to say thank you in 50 different languages with pronounication. Check out the first comment under the video for the list of languages and their corrsponding timestamps.
People who prefer to read can see this article
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Tech Cleanup
If you're interested you can browse the tech alternatives out there on ethical.net. You'll find that there's interesting alternatives out there that don't optimise for profit.
In particular we might recommend giving ecosia a try. The proceeds from this project are used to plant trees and restore forests around the world.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Learn to Draw
Watch a few youtube videos. Try, try, and try again. Try drawing the same thing in different styles!
Learn to Draw
A great way to start is learning how to draw faces, use this simple trick from YouTube.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.No Purchases
You're allowed to prepare for this one. Force yourself to plan ahead and don't buy anything for a full week.
Perfect a Pizza
Pick a day of the week. This day, is pizza day. It is your mission to find the perfect recipe for you.