Curiosity Box
So a few years ago, I helped tutor some homeschoolers in history and it forever launched me down the rabbit hole of homeschooling content. One thing I think a lot of homeschooling families do really well is making learning fun and communal and that is something applicable to any age.
I've been seeing video after video about people's Morning Baskets and it inspired me to make an adult version. The goal was to give my partner and I an alternative option for hanging out together without screens that was easy to pick up and put back down so it didn't feel like a whole thing. We don't have to use it - it's simply another option.
These were all from our bookshelves - though I do have a reader of Buddhist sutras for recitation coming as well as I wanted a spiritual component. What works well are readings that have sections. Everything here is either a collection of stand alone pieces or written with natural breaks in the prose.
You can select whatever you like, we just happen to have a lot of classics around but there's nothing superior about them or anything. I think poetry is always a solid addition though. Very easy to read one or two of.
More than a few of these came from discount books stores and other budget book options. But if you don't have any money at all, I'd suggest hitting up your local Little Free Library or simply putting in some library books that you don't pressure yourself to read all of.
I also included a Question Jar I made on our first Valentine's Day. It's just a jar with a bunch questions I printed off, cut out, and rolled up like fortunes in a cookie. We keep the old ones so we can use them again and see if our answers change. Basically free to make if you've got printer access. It's sparked so many good discussions over the years and I recommend it.
Currently, we're reading Kafka's Metamorphosis and we're surprised by how darkly funny it is. Much better than we remembered.
I'm considering adding some quick games we can play and some fidgets. I also thought having a feelings wheel and a check in prompt all lamenated up might be helpful since we both struggle with alexithymia.
Live alone? I still recommend this. I grab the Uncle John's Toilet Reader all the time solo. I used to use question prompts for getting to know myself when I lived solo. Throw your tarot cards or a journal in. It's still nice to have your screen alternatives all in one visible spot.
