43 minutes into Coronavirus Lockdown, Whatsapp dings.
— “I’m bored” — Reads the message from a friend. (You know who you are).
It looks like we’ve all got a lot of time on our hands, especially if we are confined to our homes for 23 hours a day.
So how can we while away the time?
There are two options really.
Hunker down and try to complete Netflix… or learn some handy new skills.
New skills to pay the bills or a fresh hobby to make life more fulfilling.
Think of lockdown as a firmware upgrade period.
For myself, I’ve got so many things lined up I feel like lockdown is going to be a busy time.
Which person will you be once we come out of the other side of self-isolation, social distancing and lockdown?
The one who has nothing to show for it?
Or the one who achieved something?
Here’s a selection of 18 handy skills to learn in lockdown. The useful skills listed below are perfect for learning at home whether it’s digital-based or handy life skills requiring few resources.
Table of Contents
Digital Skills to Learn in Self-Isolation
Picking up a new digital skill is a kickass thing to do while you’ve got the time.
I think it is clear to all of us how important it is to develop new ways of working and earning money. Ways to diversify your income if you will.
The beauty of this set of skills is you require no materials or added resources, you can start learning on whatever device you’re reading this article.
Here’s a list of skills you can learn plus some courses, books, videos and articles to get you started:
Video Editing
Learn how to edit video like a boss. The two leading video editing platforms are Final Cut and Premiere Pro so you’ll want to pick up a copy of one of those to start with. Alternatively, for a cheaper option try Filmora 9.
- Udemy Final Cut Pro X Course
- Udemy Adobe Premiere Pro Course
- Free World’s Most Advanced Premiere Pro Editing
- Free Final Cut Pro Class
- Learn Filmora 9 for Free
Web Design
Everybody needs a website from global brands to 14 year old’s dreaming of becoming an annoying social influencer.
- Codecademy Web Development
- Beginners Guide to Learning Web Development
- Web Design — How to Get Started
- Build a Website on Wix
- UCAS Web Designer Job Profile
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO isn’t as hard as it sounds. It’s a little like the finance industry, it uses long words and abbreviations to confuse people and appear complex. You can learn most of the information from a couple of books…
Animation and After Effects
Jazz up your videos and social feeds with funky animations and graphics. You’ll need some software like Adobe After Effects or Motion to get cracking.
- Adobe After Effects Tutorial
- Pluralsight After Effects Courses
- Udemy After Effects Courses
- Motion 5 Tutorial
- 10 Apple Motion Tutorials Every Designer Should Watch
Coding
Why don’t they teach coding in schools? I don’t know, do you even know what ‘coding’ is? Well, find out now.
- What is Coding?
- Learn How to Code — Codecademy
- Top 10 Ways to Teach How to Code
- 64 Ways to Learn How to Code Online
Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin is that fake internet money, right? A good way to lose all your real money, except for all those Bitcoin millionaires… may as well take a look…
Helpful Home Skills to Learn in Lockdown
Why not upgrade some of your home skills like cooking and sewing. They’re all super handy and can even help you lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
Cooking
If you’re in lockdown it’d be wise to start cooking carefully. Ingredients might be limited plus lack of exercise means you might need to watch your calories a little.
- Low Carb Cookbook with 4 Ingredients
- Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less
- 5 Easy 2 Ingredient Recipes
- Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking Masterclass
Also here’s some classic Ramsay to Get the Juices Flowing!
Sewing
You’d have been laughed at in school for learning how to sew. Now, in this brave new sustainable world, it’s a handy skill to fix up your favourite clothes.
- Learn How to Sew in 1 Week for Free
- Learn Sewing at the University of Fashion
- Sewing for Beginners on Youtube
Knitting
While away the days and knit yourself a new tea cosy, woolly hat and wonky jumper. Lockdown, more like mini-retirement.
- Knitting for Beginners on Youtube
- Smarter Living — How to Start Knitting
- Knit for Peace
- Knitting Book — Step by Step Techniques
Creative Skills to Learn in Lockdown
Time to put some more craft in your life. Take your mind off the troubles of the world, pick up a new hobby, and find a new passion.
Dance
Come on. There’s two people in this world. Those that can dance, and those wishing they could dance. Which one are you?
- Steezy Dance Academy on Web and App
- Dance Tutorials Live on Youtube
- The Best Staying Alive Flashdance Tutorial
Wood Whittling
Fancy whittling yourself a complete chessboard? It’ll certainly wind away some time plus you’ll then have to learn how to play chess. Perfect time killer.
- Wood Whittling 101
- Art of Manliness — Beginners Guide to Wood Whittling
- How to Get Started Wood Whittling on Youtube
Origami
You can make some pretty awesome stuff from a single sheet of paper. From dinosaurs to wallets, get folding.
- Origami Wallet Step by Step
- Origami Dinosaur
- Origami Turtle
- Origami Dragon
- Complete Origami Book (Paper Included)
Drawing
You don’t need much to start drawing, just a pencil, paper and a subject. It’s about practice and muscle memory once you’ve got the basics down.
Self-Improvement Skills to Learn in Lockdown
As I said at the top. Use Lockdown or self-isolation as an upgrade period. Bring new skills into your life so once you’re released back into the world you’re a whole new person. Here’s some mind, body and soul self-improvement skills for you to learn.
Meditation
One thing great about isolation is the time to clear your head and reset. Learn how to do this no matter the situation with a spot of meditation.
- How to Meditate
- A Book on How to Be Mindful and Live in the Moment
- Mindfulness, A Practical Guide Book
Yoga
Admit it, you’ve thought about doing Yoga before but never quite got into it. Or hell, you’ve even thought about running away to be a professional Yoga teacher…
Magic Tricks
Time to amaze those around you. Thankfully the magic circle has been bust wide open by the internet so we can all learn the tricks of the trade. You’re a wizard Harry!
- Do Mind Blowing Magic with Any Ring
- 10 Impossible Tricks Anyone Can Do
- A Book on Magic Tricks with Coins and Everyday Objects
Language
I’m always jealous of those who learn multiple languages as a child. Trying to fit in the time to learn a new language is tricky in the modern world, Netflix is so damn distracting.
- Duolingo Learn A Language for Free
- Babbel Learn Languages Online
- Learn Languages with Paul Noble (Highly recommended)
Instrument
Probably the first thing that pops into your head when you think about taking up a new hobby. If you’ve got a guitar sitting around then there’s no excuse. For those without an instrument to hand, try starting your musical career with the cup song…
That’s it.
There’s no more time to waste.
Time to start upgrading your skills.