Think Cottage Life: Ideas On How To Take Advantage Of A Slow Down

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By Angèle Alain

This outbreak curve flattening strategy of social distancing is making many Ottawa families anxious and nervous about fighting off boredom. In my case, I’m revelling in the idea of a forced slowdown, a time to rest body and mind, build up immune systems and do so many things we never do because life is just too busy. This is how I suggest approaching the next few weeks. The odds are, we will remember this situation forever, why not create positive memories too.

Think cottage life. 

The cottage is usually where we naturally slow down. It’s where we play cards, dig out the yarn and knitting needles, crack open the Monopoly box (I prefer Cards Against Humanity, but that’s me) or bake something with wild raspberries. It’s where, on a rainy day, there’s nothing “usual” to do, so we give ourselves permission to help the kids build a fort with all those spare blankets. It’s where we watch old movies, read old magazines. 

So here is a list of things to do on your own or with your family:

  • Play a board game or a video game as a group. Dig out the older ones for novelty;

  • Finally get to sewing repairs;

  • Marie Kondo the mess out of your house (declutter and donate);

  • Pair down a collection and organise it: photos, books, records, etc.;

  • Try knitting a scarf or neck warmer: it’s just a rectangle you sew both ends together;

  • Dig out your childhood memory box and share with your kids;

  • Colour in a colouring book: try with wood pencils, then with markers; 

  • Find all that leftover cardboard and paper, or raid the recycling box to make crafts;

  • Read that book you’ve been wanting to read or re-read;

  • Play cards or build card castles;

  • Organise your cupboards or your closets;

  • Clean your windows and walls. It is almost spring, after all;

  • Clean out the garage;

  • Paint your walls or old furniture;

  • Rearrange your furniture;

  • Finally use those paints and canvases someone gave your kid;

  • Bake creative cookies, muffins or bread with what’s in the cupboard or the freezer;

  • Do a puzzle; 

  • Make a model or a Lego-type kit;

  • Cook with food that’s about to go bad and freeze it;

  • Build a blanket and chair fort;

  • Learn something new from a YouTube tutorial;

  • Learn basic sentences in a new language (you will travel again!) or in sign language;

  • Watch a film from your childhood with your children: The Breakfast Club, Gremlins, Close Encounter of the Third Kind, the original Ghostbusters, the list is endless;

  • Finally put photos in the frames you bought and hang those frames;

  • Write and mail someone a letter or make someone a handmade card;

  • Try a science experiment, there are many easy instructions online;

  • Play an instrument you have and you know how to play;

  • Write a short story, a poem or a song;

  • Dig out your favourite music from your teens and share it with your loved ones;

  • Make music playlists on your platform of choice like you would mix-tapes (I showed my age there, didn’t I?)

  • Try a new workout or yoga tutorial: there are some good ones on YouTube for small children like Cosmic Kids Star Wars;

  • Follow nail, makeup and hair tutorials for fun;

  • Play dress up and put on a fake Halloween party or fashion show;

  • Go for walks with your animals. Try it with the cat too, it’s funny; 

  • Go snowshoeing if there’s still snow.

I hope this list motivates you as much as it motivates me. I could have kept going but I think you get the idea.