9 Skills You Can Learn During Quarantine
During this time of crisis where we’re still trying to grasp the extent of the situation and trying to guesstimate time lines, what exactly are we supposed to do? The general advice these days is to stay at home as much as possible and practice ‘social distancing’. It is our ethical obligation in order to slow down the spread of COVID-19 aka Coronavirus. And while mandated time on the couch was fun when you were a kid, it feels much different when you’re an adult accustomed to a busy schedule and social gatherings. Whether you’re working from home or not, let’s talk about some productive things you can get done, and hopefully the uptick in productivity will help with the inevitable anxiety. Luckily, we have the internet, which is probably the place you’re spending all your free time anyway — and also happens to provide you with tools to learn the basics of pretty much anything for free.
Here are a few ideas!
Start Your Fitness Journey
Local government has ordered the closure of gyms and workout facilities in the hopes of limiting the spread of the coronavirus in Jersey City. But don’t worry – a number of gyms in the area have started offering live work outs through their online platforms.
Jane DO
Book a live class at Jane DO, a Jersey City female workout studio.
Maximum Motion Fitness
Join them on Facebook live for a free fitness class.
FourFitnessJC
Join them on Facebook and Instagram live for free 30 minute classes.
Surya Yoga Academy
Join Surya Yoga for their online yoga classes.
Pilates Haus
Schedule a virtual pilates class with your favorite Pilates Haus instructors.
8 Springs Studio
Enjoy free integrated fitness classes on their Instagram Live.
View this post on Instagram
Art á la Quarantine!
Feeling the stress of quarantine? Making art is a great way to reduce stress and embrace your creative side. Local artists and popular YouTubers are here to take you step-by-step in creating your very own masterpieces from home!
DT 234 Gallery
Purchase a paint & sip kit to-go and then follow along in their virtual classes.
Art Mango
No paint, no problem. This local artist is hosting virtual paint nights where she will only utilize basic pens, markers and paper.
MP Easy Origami
Put your junk mail to use and check out these easy origami tutorials for beginners.
The Kennedy Center
Children’s book author, Mo Willems invites you into his studio everyday for his Lunch Doodles.
SchaeferArt
Back to the basics, check out these great drawing for beginners tutorials.
Quarantini
Yes, quarantine can be mundane but thank goodness liquor stores are considered essential! Stock up while you can and have your own isolation party to try out some amazing cocktails you learned to make.
Corgi Spirits
Corgi Spirits is a local distillery in Jersey City that manufactures their own gin, vodka, and whiskey. During this quarantine, they’ve been holding impromptu cocktail classes on their instagram.
Udemy
Udemy is an online learning platform that offers free or cost effective courses. Check out their free Bartending 101 course.
Steve the Bartender
Watch as Steve the Bartender makes 10 easy cocktails in 10 minutes.
View this post on Instagram
Bust a Move
Take a dance class! It’s a great way to “shake off” all the stress of being stuck inside and you won’t miss a beat when the studios reopen.
Piel Canela Dancers
Local Jersey City residents Joe and Bianca Burgos, business owners of Piel Canela Dance Company are holding live stream classes for Salsa, Bachata, and Cha Cha.
Jersey City Ballroom
Jersey City Ballroom is holding live streamed classes for different ballroom genres including Rumba, Samba, and Swing!
Karel Flores
Learn salsa specializing in ladies styling from the comfort of your home with Karel Flores.
Brayan Llamoza
Were you inspired by this year’s superbowl performance? If so check out Brayan Llamoza’s latin fusion online course!
View this post on Instagram
Learn a New Language
There’s no better time than now to purchase those cheap airline tickets to a country you’ve been dying to visit and get a head start on learning their language. Practice with your partner, friends or even chat with native speakers online!
HelloTalk
Learn a language by chatting with native speakers around the world. For free!
Duolingo
Download Duolingo, a mobile app and a website where you can learn the basics of any language for free. You can learn Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, German and more!
SpanishPod101
Have you ever wanted to learn how to say “stay six feet away” in Spanish? Check out how with this Learn Spanish in 10 Minutes tutorial.
FrenchPod101
While your fantasizing during quarantine about moving to France start to Learn French in 25 Minutes.
Home Jam Sessions
Guitar Classes:
Do you have dreams of becoming the next Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, or Eric Clapton? Well, baby steps. Check out these two Youtube channels for beginner lessons. Don’t have a guitar? Don’t fret Amazon and Guitar Center are still delivering.
Piano Classes:
Are you a fan of the white stripes and the black keys? If so, check out these beginner piano tutorials. Need some keys? Amazon and Guitar Center has your back.
View this post on Instagram
Learn How to Use Photoshop
Adding Photoshop to your list of skills can make you a more valuable professional. From website design to marketing, Photoshop can play a vital role in many roles.While learning Photoshop can enhance your career opportunities, it can also be a great tool for personal use.
With Photoshop you can retouch images, build funny animated GIF, and have a fun outlet for your creative projects, whether working on a website, volunteering to assist with images for friends or an organization, or adding some fun to images you share on social media.
GFXMentor
Udemy Photoshop 101
Ultimate Photoshop Training from Beginning to End
Learn to Crochet
Not only is it a cost effective hobby but fun fact, crochet promotes the development of neural pathways in your brain to keep you sharp when you’re old! Sweaters, socks, purses, and interior decor are all things you can make with crochet. Need the tools? Here’s a crochet start-up kit.
Crochet Guru
Crochet Tools You Need to Get Started – Beginner Course
Skillshare
A Beginner’s Guide to Crocheting
Udemy
Bella Coco
Crochet Lovers
Quarantine á la Carte
Cooking can be a hobby or it can be a life skill that can change your health. Famous chefs and online platforms are offering cooking tips and advice for us in quarantine during the pandemic. Learn to cook virtually!
The Brooklyn Kitchen
In 2006, The Brooklyn Kitchen opened as a go-to space for home cooks. The Brooklyn Kitchen has started hosting their streamed cooking class on youtube.
Antoni Porowski
Antoni Porowski from Netflix’s hit remake show “Queer Eye” is hosting an online series called “Quar Eye” on his Instagram account.
Binging with Babish
Join in on the fun with this YouTube channel that features recipes from featured films, television shows and video games.
Tasty
The world’s largest food network brings you 43 Easy 3-Ingredient Recipes.
Gordon Ramsay
Author: Shirley Davila
Shirley Davila is a freelance writer living in New Jersey originally from Lima, Peru. She is a travel junkie and food aficionado whose always looking for new things to try!
