You can't travel, you can't see older relatives (or grandchildren) and you can't crowd the pub. The yoga class might be cancelled, the museums are closed and there are no football matches to watch. So, what can you do? Let's try to think along the lines of "Don't cancel, reschedule".
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Don't cancel, reset!
The idea behind "Don't cancel, reset!" is good, but does it work? Yes, often it can work if you think creatively. Other times it can be much more difficult. Here are seven suggestions for things to do instead - and our reflections on how it works for us.
1. go on a city weekend
This spring and summer there will be no city weekend to Rome, Barcelona or Prague. We had not planned to go there, but we had planned to visit Tallinn (again), Bielefeld in Germany and maybe Rijeka in Croatia. Of course, nothing comes of it, and we do not dare to plan trips in the autumn. Even if the MFA's advice would be dropped, it is not certain that other countries will open their borders.
Do instead? Discover your neighbourhood! Take a trip around the county and check out the sights and natural areas. Bring your motorhome or caravan if you have one and stay away for the weekend.
How does it work for us? This works great, and it's really fun to discover the county. We haven't retrieved the campervan from winter storage yet, but we are starting to look forward to it.
2. go to yoga/tennis/dance classes
Did you perhaps attend a group training session at the gym that has now been cancelled? If you're used to practising tennis or going dancing once a week, it's easy to feel a void, and also less physical activity.
Do instead? Set up a gym at home! All you need are exercise mats, rubber bands and an exercise video. Another option, of course, is to go jogging, or find the nearest outdoor gym!
How does it work for us? We practised at home before, so this wasn't even difficult.
3. watch sports
Did you used to sit glued to the TV in front of all the matches? Peter likes to watch sports sometimes and, above all, he used to read the sports pages of the newspapers every day. Now there are no sports to read, he says, which is of course due to the cancellation of all major sporting events.
Do instead? Instead of just watching sports, you can try your hand at football, hockey or even car racing in the world of video games. If you're a betting person, you might want to try an online game. Here you can read about which online casino is the best.
How does it work for us? No, we haven't picked up any games... For a bit of excitement, we'll be watching exciting TV series instead.
4. shopping
Do you like shopping for clothes or home decoration? Peter love fashion, and he can go to clothes shops for as long as he likes. Right now, shopping is less motivated because we wear the same clothes every day. There's not much appeal in crowding indoor centres either.
Do instead? Take the opportunity to go through your wardrobe! Now can be the perfect time to sort and repair. If you find that you want to buy something new, most shops also have online sales.
How does it work for us? Peter has mended trousers, laid out shirts and redesigned a denim jacket!
5. Go to a museum
Normally, you can make things when you have a day off, like going to a museum. Now that you might even have more time than usual, the museums are closed.
Do instead? Many museums have virtual museum tours. The advantage of these is that the museum does not even have to be in your city or country. Some museums that have virtual tours are the British Museum in London, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Picasso Museum in Barcelona and the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb and Los Angeles.
How does it work for us? No, we haven't done virtual museum visits. But now I was a bit curious to see how it works!
6. Organising a family reunion
This year, many people had to cancel the big Easter dinner, and it doesn't look any better for Valborg, students or upcoming birthdays. This is the year when we cancel. Or how about now? We are not cancelling, we are changing.
Do instead? If you're in the same part of Sweden, it's a good time to organise an outdoor meeting. Maybe a coffee at a safe distance or a nice walk in the woods? If the distance is too far, it's time to use technology. Have a family dinner together over Skype!
How does it work for us? We have coffee outdoors with my (Helena's) mum sometimes and recently celebrated her 80th birthday outdoors, in limited company. I use video calling (Zoom) mostly at work, but it's great!
7. party with friends
Life is not only about everyday life, but also about parties. You might meet a group of people for a cosy dinner at someone's house, or crowd around a bar over a few beers. In times of coronavirus, many people are more cautious about meeting up, and crowding into a small enclosed bar may not be the best of ideas.
Do instead? There are plenty of outdoor cafes, so why not enjoy a beer in the fresh air? Otherwise, you can always organise a digital party. Everyone provides their own food and drink, so to speak, and then you can see each other on the computer screen.
How does it work for us? No, we haven't organised an "online party" yet, but we've heard others have met that way!
What are your top tips for things to do instead?
Do you have any good tips on things to do instead, in these strange times? Are you trying to adjust instead of cancelling?
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Lena - good for the soul says:
That's right, it's only your imagination that sets the limits. You have to try to be a bit creative. We have changed things up a bit, with an outdoor Easter coffee with the parents and a trip to the commercial garden with the daughter. But otherwise we have mostly worked at home in the garden.
Hug Lena
28 April 2020 - 6:44
Helena says:
You were really creative for Easter! It's not easy, but you try!
28 April 2020 - 19:32
Ama de casa says:
Many nice ideas but most of them don't work here in Spain right now. We are enjoying ourselves as best we can with walks and pentathlon in the garage 😀.
Then it has become more terrace hanging when we listen to documentaries or old summer talks. That's what we usually do on road trips (on long, boring routes), but now we can't go anywhere in Spain either.
Let's hope it gets better soon...
28 April 2020 - 9:55
Helena says:
In Spain you have had a really tough time. We think of you here in Sweden! But hope that it gets easier for you now!!!
28 April 2020 - 19:32
bmlarstravellingblog says:
We have also explored many places in our neighbourhood, both with the camper van and on hikes. We have started looking for hiking trails and paths where geocaches have been placed and suddenly a walk takes twice as long.
As for shopping, we don't go to any events so we feel like we don't need any new clothes even though it would be fun. We think our local shops are very inventive in terms of delivering goods, trying them on at home and so on.
Our digital interaction has only consisted of Friday drinks with our Uppsala friends via Skype, really fun. We will probably try to do something similar with the grandchildren, because it looks like it will be a while before we get to meet again.
28 April 2020 - 13:42
Helena says:
Glad you tried the drink via Skype thing! We don't actually have that, not yet anyway. But often at meetings! So yes, why not try it with the grandchildren too? Have a great time!
28 April 2020 - 19:34
Goatfish says:
Here in Lidköping it is quite quiet, so with apostle horses or bicycle I do not get far. But the nature is wonderful, except today, when there are icy cold winds, only 5 degrees, urraburra.
I read/listen to books and everything on the computer. I manage "My History" on MOD and have lots of contacts. I knit rugs, watch TV, play Wordfeud.
I used to Skype a lot, but the quality was very poor. But on Messenger I have some "threads" - e.g. my children and I, my daughters and I, and we've started video chatting a bit more via our phones. I miss my little grandchildren though.
Good food and drink enhances life.
28 April 2020 - 16:15
Helena says:
The nature has been amazing and we are so grateful for all the nice weather. But now!? Huh...! It sounds like you have many good and creative ideas! But of course I understand that you miss the grandchildren. In the end this changes!!! Have fun!
28 April 2020 - 19:35
BP says:
Actually, we are not in any great need, at least not here in Sweden. It is worse in other countries. Exploring your home turf is great. Good that you are taking the opportunity now. But I miss all the football finals that are usually played at this time of year...?
28 April 2020 - 18:14
Helena says:
You are absolutely right, when compared to others, our situation is perfectly fine. A good perspective. But you still miss some things!
28 April 2020 - 19:36
Christian says:
Yes, I also bet on weekends in Sweden and so my old whisky gang is seen more often than ever online and runs whisky tastings! Otherwise, I go to the gym and eat out as usual!
28 April 2020 - 22:19
Merja says:
Meeting the grandchildren on Sunday, outdoors of course. I haven't seen them since the end of February, even though they live in the same town. Old parents, adult children and siblings also have coffee outdoors. You can play chess, one move a day, send a picture of your move on messenger.
29 April 2020 - 13:55