Is the exponentially growing pandemic getting you down? Probably not as much as being cooped up inside with the same four walls and the same  people for an indeterminable amount of time. It seems everyone is experiencing some type of slow down in their hometown, life itself is reaching an algae bloom level of stagnation. Who is thriving in these turbulent times you may ask, why the shut-ins and vampires of course, gamer whose skin knows not the sting of UV rays, the excuse givers that are always “busy” when you call them for a night of debauchery. What does this mean for you little social flower that is without the sweet nectar of human interaction, it means you just need to get a little creative with that new stay at home routine.

Catch up on Movies/TV Now solo is the way to go however a lot of folks have at least one other person in the home with them so this is an entry that works great by yourself or with someone you only slightly dislike. Movies, movies, movies and not a thing to watch, maybe you have just been looking in the wrong places. There are almost too many movie apps and ways to stream to list but I will do some anyway: Hulu, Netflix, Crackle, Disney +, Prime, Tubi, Youtube etc. The best part is most of these companies are competitors so entry level plan subscription costs stay in the $8-$14 range. Did you know there is free streaming access for movie/T.V content through most cable providers and even apps like Roku TV and Vudu. All you need for your access to these endless libraries is internet service and a capable device like a smart TV. Unless you’re a Kevin Smith fan and trying to watch Dogma you can use a nifty site like justwatch.com type in your movie and see exactly where to watch it.

Learn to Code Before the possibility of learning to code is dismissed entirely by common misconceptions, know that learning a computer language is as easy as downloading a free app. Undoubtedly you have heard of language learning apps like Duo Lingo and Rosetta Stone, learning a language like Python and Java is just as accessible. Higher end programming can definitely require more experience but you never get good at anything if you don’t jump right in. A great starting point would be an app like Grasshopper, a free app that teaches you how to write real JavaScript. Maybe your aspirations don’t lie with building an app or programming in the future but learning to code can be great for neural plasticity, memory, brain engagement and filling the empty hours.

Pick up a Book No not the tablet, ipad, Kindle or what other digitized version of print you’ve replaced your hardcovers with but a real book. Here’s the thing: reading a book is an honest to god experience, whether it’s the crack of a worn spine as you delve into another universe or the feel of crisp pages against your fingertips, picking up a book is a drastically different experience from “reading”. So how does one read with the archaic wordy word book, find space whether it’s space in your head or space in your home the right mindset paired with a good book takes you places. Anything you have ever watched on TV was printed first and for good reason, when you read something you are physically holding your place value in that object. Finishing a book is it’s own reward, being able to place it to the side, tallying it up and saying, another one finished. Other than a nice self esteem boost reading a book has latent benefits for you like increased vocabulary and a higher verbal level of communication, plus you can post pictures of you reading it with a coffee and turtle neck to Instagram. Next time you’re peeling the paint off the walls in your mind, stop and pick up a book, assuming you are able to find one. Many cities have implemented free book programs aimed at raising literacy levels, you can find park kiosks full of books.

Video Game Time Not surprising, during this unprecedented pandemic some markets like the gaming industry are seeing a significant increase in traffic. Rightfully so, the days of pretending to plug in a controller for your younger sibling are over. Everyone is playing, whether it is Candy Crush on a mobile phone, Ghost of Tushima on Ps4 or old school Mario Kart on Nintendo 64 video games have become as much a part of western culture as professional sports. With nearly no limit to the applications people play video games to relax, connect with people, compete, challenge themselves and to just plain out have fun. Maybe you’ve avoided a game over screen because of the possible costs, what if I told you you can play triple A titles on a set up that costs less than a $100. It’s true current gen consoles like Xbox and Playstation range from $300 to $400 and PC setups can run in the thousands but options like Google Stradia let you game with no hardware straight from your Browser. You can subscribe to the Stradia game streaming service for as little as $9.99 a month with a free and available for purchase game library. As Google works to perfect this service competitors like microsoft are hot on their heels with options like Game Pass Ultimate that allows you to play Xbox titles on your  mobile devices. If you would prefer to not spend a dime next time you’re in your Play or App store click on that game section and see just how many free titles are right at your fingertips. You might not become the next gaming prodigy but you would have killed some time with an engaging activity that takes more work than watching a movie but less than going for a walk.

We may all be stuck at home together but it doesn’t mean you have to lose your sanity while doing it. Step outside of your comfort triangle, you may be surprised what you are capable of. Pushing through the apocalypse with flying colors? What are you doing to stay busy, are you at home breaking bread or cutting family members hair, leave your comments and time killer in the comments section below. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest articles, news and updates from Piff.game.blog.