We are at the precipice of a global pandemic. Words I thought I would never write outside of a fictional screenplay. But here are.

At times like this, being level-headed and understanding the facts are important. But do you know what else can be? An occasional feeling of levity. A decent laugh. Or a distraction from reality.

Some choose movies. Others go on a run. The list of distractions can be long and endless if you allow it. And in this case my friend, we’re all entitled to options when it comes to recreational amusement.

Some of us are self-quarantining at the moment. Others not by choice, but a necessity.

If you’re fortunate enough to be healthy enough for cabin fever to be a concern, it’s time to talk through some options.

1. Clean

This should come as no surprise. During what is now labeled a global pandemic, a little cleaning is appropriate. Even if it was a normal day, this should still be on your weekly to-do list.

Clean all the surfaces you can see. Your guests that finally make it over next year will appreciate it. Oh, and you’ll kill most of the germs. Dust everything you can’t see above. Also your electronics. Go look up what dust is made of and current events won’t even matter. Establish new and permanent personal hygiene practices. Soap is your friend; more now than ever, but always. Your parents didn’t want you to be the dirty kid in grade school and you shouldn’t want to be now.

2. Make Lists

I’m a huge fan of living an organized life. Lists are like a fresh bag of Oreos for me and I won’t even apologize. How else would you keep track of what needs to be done and what has been accomplished? Personal accountability people!

Use a notepad. Use an app. Pick your platform but start today.

Daily List — What needs to happen each day. Every day. These are what become a habit. They also make you feel like every day is a success, no matter what happens. Monthly List (The Hot List) — Not today but soon. These will be a mix of needs and wants, but especially the former. Changing car insurance. Updating your resume. Starting to learn a new language. Goal List — I don’t believe in bucket lists. They go hand in hand with the word “someday,” which is another way of dodging accountability. Make a list of things you want to do soon; this year or next week if the timing works out. Don’t allow yourself to push these out further.

3. Go Minimalist

Some call it purging. Others enjoy the title “Spring Cleaning.” I see the process of letting possessions go as a mental dusting. The number of things we own or have to worry about take up mental space. You may not realize it, but they do.

“A dramatic reorganization of the home causes correspondingly dramatic changes in lifestyle and perspective. It is life-transforming.” — Marie Kondo

That box of cables and chargers you never use. The expensive shoes that you only wear to “the right kind of place.” Find the objects that no longer serve you and let them go. With it, the stress of a cluttered lifestyle.

4. The Someday Watch

Gone with the Wind. MacGyver. There are some entertainment staples you have always meant to watch but never made the time. It’s alright, sometimes there isn’t time to watch all 62 hours of Breaking Bad start-to-finish.

Make a list of movies, series, and documentaries.

Bucket them by them vibe first; this is important. Uplifting. Serious. Funny. When you’re stuck inside, you need to have a balance or you’ll go mad.

5. Read Those Books

I have a real problem with late-night or podcast-inspired Amazon Prime book purchases. I suppose this is what it is to be in your late 30’s. That said, you may have a stack of books you’ve meant to read — very much as I do.

Choose one per week. Don’t even plan to finish, plan to start.

Vary the category too. Much like movies or series, you can go down a rabbit hole and never find your way out.

6. Practice a Skill

Maybe you want to learn calligraphy. Or juggling. It doesn’t even matter.

Choose something completely ridiculous and new. When you have an abundant amount of time on your hands, everything is worth doing. At least once.

Flashing back to #2 above — make a list. Work through it like you’re stuck in prison but wearing comfortable slippers.

7. Learn a Language

One in every ten people says they’re going to do this. Lequel es-tu?

Used college textbooks. News podcasts in different languages. Duolingo or Verbling.

There are so many amazing resources out there now. And fantastic ways to connect with others to keep you accountable. Start today. It is never, ever too late to learn a language.

8. Make Future Plans

Remember that list of goals you are going to make? Add some plans that are ambiguous. Ambitious. Let some be subjective and soulful.

Grandiose plans can be our north stars if we let them. It can be to climb to one of the Everest base camps. Or learning to sail. Meditating on a daily basis.

The goal is not to fill your to-do list. The reason is to set your sights past your current situation. An authentic distraction.

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.” — T.E. Lawrence

9. Connect With People

Our need for community and connection can’t be ignored. Sure there are some out there who lean to the introverted side. There is nothing wrong with that at all.

But the connection becomes vital when forced into solitude.

It’s easy to forget who we are to the outside world. What we mean to others. Our tribe. Reconnecting after long periods of time or prolonged isolation — that is how we come alive.

Text people. Facetime or call family. Make a postcard from an old photo and send it to a friend down the street.

Connect with people before you lose yourself entirely. Even your dog’s eyes light up when she sees other dogs — let that be a lesson to you.

10. Connect With Yourself

You knew we would get here right? Despite my speech about the community, we need to be comfortable with ourselves.

More than anyone else.

Given circumstances like self-quarantine, you may have periods of time spent alone. Even if you live with someone, you’ll need time alone.

Meditate. Use an app or self-guide. Making this habitual will pay itself in dividends more than you’d believe. Write. Documenting one’s life is not for the writer, but the future reader. Recall and Recount. We often remember the extremes in life. The best. The worst. Hardly do we give ourselves the credit for everything between. Find old photos that weren’t terribly important. Find old birthday cards. Remind yourself of a life well-lived — and continue it.