EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE #ISOLIFE ENDS

What to do at home

Most of us have been cooped up inside for a while now, doing our part to flatten the curve. We’ve had weeks inside to do all the things we’ve been putting off, or to better ourselves with all this free time. But if you’ve been procrastinating even in quarantine, it’s about time you tackle those goals before the world goes back to some kind of normal. Read on to discover the 15 things you should do before #isolife ends!

Travel the world from your kitchen

Whether you’re a certified master chef or a rookie in the kitchen, why not have a go at some of the vacay meals you remember most. Bring back those warm summer nights by the Italian Riviera eating homemade pasta, fresh caught octopus in a little Greek seaside restaurant or hand rolled sushi in the bustling city of Tokyo.

Stay at Home — Image by @gabriellecaunesil

Become your best self

Maybe someone gifted you The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck a while ago and it’s been sitting on your bedside table ever since. Whatever the book and whatever the reason you haven’t read it yet, now’s the time! Get stuck into some self improvement literature with our favourites like A New Earth, Atomic Habits, Willpower Doesn’t Work and The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down. If that’s not your style then who doesn’t love a good vacation paperback. For some much needed inspiration, we asked some of our favourite influencers for their selection of books that transport you to another place.

Unleash your abs

If you’re yet to roll out your yoga mat, then consider this the push you need to to motivate you to get active. If you’re wondering what to do in quarantine, this is it! Moving your body for just 30 minutes will do you a world of good, both physically and mentally. With all kinds of apps to guide you through your home workouts, there’s still time to come out of quarantine with your dream bikini body. You don’t need all the gear, just a yoga mat and determination. Try Alo Moves for your yoga needs and SWEAT by Kayla Itsines to crush out some cardio.

Netflix and chill out

No doubt you’ve spent your fair share of time flicking through Netflix by now, who hasn’t?! Before we all return to the outside world, make sure you get to these must-watch series if you haven’t already. Here’s our selection of some of the most iconic shows of all time and brand new docos to get stuck into while you’ve got some down time:

Money Heist
How to Get Away with Murder
You
Prison Break
Suits
Narcos
Madmen
Entourage
Stranger Things
Breaking Bad
Self Made
Tiger King
Don’t F**k With Cats

Namastay at home

We’ll be the first to admit that quarantine has us going a little stir crazy. Weeks of isolation and uncertainty can do that to a person, but one way to look after our mental health is to practice meditation. You’ll be amazed how just a few minutes of breathing exercises can clear your head and prepare you for a better day. There are plenty of apps on the market to guide you through meditation, but our firm favourites are Bloom and Calm. Your new state of mindfulness shouldn’t end with quarantine though, so be sure to continue your good habits when you return to your “normal life” and keep stress at bay.

Transport yourself to your next vacay

You might be staying home for now, but sooner or later we’ll all be able to travel again, so it’s time to use your imagination and get lost in the dreamiest destinations around the globe. The first thing you need to plan your next vacay is a little inspiration. Check out The Asia Collective’s Pinterest for some much needed visual guidance.

Passion projects

Take a moment to think about that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Maybe you’ve dreamed of writing a book, starting a blog, or taking a course. If you haven’t already made a start, there’s still time to work on your goals. It doesn’t even have to be a dream you’ve been putting off! Why not tackle a task you haven’t found time for, like cleaning up your camera roll or finally making your family photo album.

Keep it cosy but cute

All this time spent at home calls for a refresh of your cosy clothes wardrobe. No doubt your pyjamas have been on rotation since isolation started, so why not switch it up a bit. Whether you’re in need of a sexy silk slip or some lazy loungewear, we’ve taken the liberty of rounding up our favourite sleep and loungewear labels that’ll leave you feeling silky smooth.

Practice plant-based eating

With zero social outings and little temptation at home, now’s the time to be mindful of what you eat. If you’ve always wanted to try a vegetarian or vegan diet, why not give it a go while you’re the one doing most of the cooking at home. If you’ve been to Bali, you’ve surely heard of Kynd cafe, or even if you haven’t been before you’ve probably seen that famous pink wall scrolling through Instagram. They’re known for their delicious plant-based menu, and now you can have a little Kyndness at home with their vegan cookbook. Plus, their latest GIVE cookbook reinvents traditional Indonesian meals into plant-based tastiness, and the best part is 100% of the sales goes towards helping the struggling Balinese community during this crisis. Good for the tummy and good for the heart!

Up your bargame

Sip your way around the globe with a taste of iconic cocktails that’ll take you from your kitchen to Peru with homemade Pisco Sours, spicy Margaritas that transport you to Tulum or iconic Bellinis that will have you dream of your next trip to Venice. You might not be able to hop on a plane to these places for a while yet, but who says you can’t travel the world with a little imagination and a cocktail shaker. Check out @stirandstrain and @gastronomista_ for cocktail recipes and even more inspiration.

Quaroutine

If your routine has turned into staying up until 2am and waking up at noon, it’s time to reset your body clock so you’re ready for reentry into the outside world. To get into good habits and maximise your productivity, there are a bunch of habit tracking and planning apps, like Habit and MinimaList, that you can use in and out of quarantine to organise your day.

Get your glow on

It’s probably been a while since you’ve worked on your tan lines poolside or by a beach somewhere, but that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve a sun-kissed glow. Emerge from isolation looking like you’ve spent two months on a tropical island, rather than indoors on the couch. One of our favourite self-tanning brands to get your glow on at home is Elle Effect by Elle Ferguson. We’ve teamed up with Elle Effect to give The Asia Collective readers 20% off when they use the code HOLIDAYEE at checkout.

Travel the world through webcam

It’s unlikely we’ll ever see the world this empty again. So why not spy on some of the most iconic landmarks around the globe with Skyline live video cams, from the Grand Canal in Venice to the Pantheon in Rome, all the way to New York City and the Maldives.

Make like Marie Kondo

If you still haven’t gotten around to doing a full spring clean, what’s the hold up? You’ve got nothing but time, and with Marie Kondo showing you how it’s done, you’ve got no excuses. Minimalist is the mood in 2020.

Learn a language

Maybe you have plans to visit France, Bali or Mexico! Get in some language practice before your next overseas holiday with Duolingo. You probably won’t be fluent by the time iso is over, but you should be able to say a sentence or two when ordering a drink or chatting to locals!

All dressed up with no where to go

Who doesn’t like playing dress up?! Put your hair and makeup skills to the test by trying out some new looks at home. Get a little inspo from @lifeofkellydawn and @lasemaineparis so you can up your iso selfie game. The best part is, you’ll have plenty of time to perfect your new looks before showcasing them to the world.

Whatever you do to keep you busy in iso, pair it with our #HouseHoliday playlist and take your mind from your couch to far away destinations.