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.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.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.
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).
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.
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.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.
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.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.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!
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.
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.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.
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.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.
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.
If you want to commit to this idea, consider reminding yourself via dearme.email.Lego Challenge
Buy a box of legos and build it ... without using the instructions manual. Throw it away!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.No Purchases
You're allowed to prepare for this one. Force yourself to plan ahead and don't buy anything for a full week.