Recently, I’ve been spending most of my time at home. Don’t take this the wrong way; I actually love it! See, I’m able to work on a few gigs and projects, I’m slowly building my own writing business and I’m in a long – distance relationship, so I don’t have many reasons to spend hours out of the house. I’m in love with my new routine and it makes me feel much calmer but, naturally, it comes with its own challenges and traps. I feel like it’s easier to neglect ourselves, not make an effort with our appearance, and ignore our routines and good habits when there’s no external pressure and nobody to hold us accountable.
I’ve been there, and I’m still kinda half-there. So, I’ve been trying to change things and improve my life in a way that feels good and most importantly boosts my mental health.
In this post, I’m sharing 20 small ways to improve your life as a homebody.
1. Make your bed every morning
It’s cliché, but it makes a difference. For a while, I wouldn’t make my bed every day as I didn’t find it important. Well, that made my most personal space, my bedroom, look ugly and disheveled. I found myself having a difficult time to get motivated and disciplined to work on things. It’s psychological for the most part, but making the bed every morning makes me more productive and organized. Plus, it feels nice to find my bed all tidy at the end of every day.
2. Wear something other than your PAJAMAS
Change out of the clothes you sleep in even if you plan to spend all day at home alone. I just feel more productive and ready to do things when I don’t wear my pjs. I tend to procrastinate less, and it feels easier to start a task. I rarely dress up and I do find jeans uncomfortable at home, so I usually go for loungewear or a simple sweatshirt and matching sweatpants. So, I get to still feel comfortable but also ready for the day ahead.
3. Watch your screentime
That’s been a big challenge for me and there’ve been times recently that my screentime has been atrocious. So, I’ve been trying to spend less time doomscrolling, especially on addicting apps like Instagram and Tik Tok. What helps me is keeping my phone in a different room for the biggest part of the day, not having the Reddit app installed, and keeping addicting apps in a different screen than my main homescreen. So, I tend to forget and not click on them first thing when I use my phone.
4. Reach out to loved ones
It’s easy to neglect your personal life when you spend most of your time at home – especially if you live alone. So, make sure to reach out to your friends and loved ones often. Text back, make plans, and show interest in their daily life and wellbeing. If possible, try to hang out with your friends at least once every week, and don’t become a stranger. You could also plan game or movie nights at your place if that’s something you’d enjoy.
5. Include some movement in your routine
So far, one of the biggest challenges of staying home so much is getting some proper movement every day. Dog walks and small errands are nice, but they’re not always enough. So, I’ve been trying to incorporate more movement in my daily life. I don’t always feel up to doing extensive workouts, but even some yoga poses, stretching, and dancing can do the trick. I especially try to stretch as often as I can because I feel like my muscles truly appreciate it after spending hours in front of my laptop.
6. Make your house smell nice
If you spend most hours of the day at home, it’s necessary to make your space feel pleasant and welcoming. Scents can make a big difference in how cozy a room feels. Of course, you don’t have to spend all day cleaning but an organized and, for the most part, clean space definitely helps. Keep dust under control, light a scented candle or use an air freshener to add that extra whimsy. My current favorite scented candle smells like the bounty chocolate.
7. Learn something new
Instead of wasting time doomscrolling, staying home provides a great opportunity to learn something new – and even for free. A new language is always a good idea, and I feel like most of us have a language in mind we’d always wanted to learn. You also focus on a new skill that’d be useful in your professional journey. I’ve been learning Swedish, and lately I’ve started learning the basics of Entrepreneurship on Coursera. I love learning new things and the process of it – aka keeping notes and completing quizzes.
8. Keep a journal
Many homebodies neglect journaling because they feel like there’s nothing special about their daily life. Well, I’ve been there but journaling has always helped me process my thoughts and make decisions easier. So, recently I decided to give it another shot, and I’ve started journaling nearly every night. I’ve been keeping track of my days, accomplishments and lowest moments. It’s a process that helps me feel calmer and even improves my sleep quality.
9. Cook something tasty for yourself
Spending more time at home gives you the time and the luxury to take more care and even pamper yourself when you feel like it. To make your day feel more special and less repeatable, you can cook nice and different meals for yourself. Try a new recipe, do something more complicated, and don’t forget to indulge and enjoy foods you truly like once in a while even if they’re not the most nutritious.
10. Enjoy your morning coffee/tea
When was the last time you enjoyed your morning beverage without rushing or multitasking? It sounds so simple in theory but things tend to be different in practice. Usually, when I have my coffee, I either text someone, or talk with my mom, or check my emails and sometimes… a combination of those things. Naturally, I end up feeling more drained than energized when my cup is finished. Now, I try to have my coffee in silence and be present in the moment. I set boundaries with the people around me, and I try to start doing things and interacting with people later in the morning.
11. Play videogames… sometimes
Yes, I’ve been playing videogames more since I left my teaching job. Especially, Sims 3 and Slay the Spire 2. Sometimes, it’s all I need after a long day of writing, or job – hunting, or working on projects. I have to be mindful though to not game for too many hours and neglect other things that’d be good for me. So, playing videogames is a really nice habit for homebodies, but it does require balance and regulation.
12. Decorate your space
It’s always a good idea to turn your space into a beautiful, welcoming, and cozy hub. Making a few changes can be significant but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Get a new candle, add a few string lights in the bedroom and more pillows on your couch, add a few plants around. Living in a house that appeals to your aesthetics will improve your mood and make you more comfortable with spending time at home.
13. Create small self-care rituals
To make days at home feel more special, create small self-care rituals that you look forward to. Set a day to take care of yourself with beauty masks and a little home spa. Have your favorite meal at least once a week. Make sure to set some time apart every Sunday to get ready for week ahead. Use various journaling prompts to get to know yourself better and reflect on your feelings. This way, you won’t neglect yourself and feel lazy by staying at home.
14. Try new hobbies
If you’re bored of staying indoors and there are times you just don’t know what else to do, you can always try a new hobby. Some great indoor hobbies are coloring, knitting, puzzles, junk journaling, baking, or learning an instrument. Of course, there are so many new things you could try at home without even needing a ton of equipment to start. What’s something that you’d enjoy doing and help you relax? That’s a good starting point to figure out your next hobby.
15. Read your books
Let’s admit it: our tbr keeps getting longer than the number of books we actually read. So, if you stay more at home, you can probably start reading more. I still struggle with this because watching something or gaming just feels easier and more attractive most of the time. I try to read, though, a few times per week and I’ve decided that reading 30 or 40 books per year is just not realistic for me at this point. Reading, though, is still enjoyable, helps my brain rest, and it makes me write more.
16. Spend time with your pets
One of my favorite things about staying at home more is that I can spend much more time with our family dog. Our dog also suffers from separation anxiety, so it’s truly nice to see him feeling calmer and happier because I’m more around him. We’ve ended up spending more time together because I take him for walks almost every day, I play with him, or we just share the room almost all the time. If you have pets and you’re a homebody, your time together can feel so much more precious and enriching.
17. Find one mindful habit that works for you
Sometimes, you just want to have the perfect aesthetic routine because you have the time for it. It still remains unrealistic, though. So, instead of trying to maintain five good habits at once, focus on one or two – if you can handle it. Plus, different things work for different people. I’ve tried many mindfulness practices and habits, and most of them have worked for me at some point in life. Right now, I’m focusing on gratitude because it’s the one that helps me be present and not take people and things for granted.
18. Have some music playing on the background
If you live alone or just spend much time on your own, the house can feel too quiet at times. So, make sure to play some music in the background to add more whimsy to your daily tasks. Dance to a song when you wash your dishes and sing loudly when you’re in the shower. Music will help you feel less lonely and it’ll boost your mood.
19. Watch your favorite show… again
Since I left my teaching job, I’ve basically rewatched all of my favorite shows. I’ve rewatched most of them with my partner, and it’s my favorite pasttime. So, don’t feel like you always have to do something new to feel good about your life. Embracing what you know best and finding comfort in it can also be extremely rewarding. So, think of your favorite shows, and pick one you haven’t watched in a while. Make your favorite food and turn an ordinary night into a cozy one with a loved one or by yourself.
20. Don’t be afraid of boredom
Finally, don’t be afraid of feeling bored. Sometimes, staying at home all day is not as exciting. On the contrary, it can even feel draining and boring. You feel like you want to get out or talk to people, but noone is available and you really don’t have nowhere to go. Welp, it’s time to embrace boredom (or at least try to) because it’s just another part of life. Don’t be afraid to do nothing or stare at the wall for a while. It’s just another feeling, and it won’t last forever.
My homebodies, what’s your favorite thing to do with your time at home? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️
If you’d like to support my writing, you can get me a coffee. ☕
Until next time! 💖
