10 Ways to Stay Inspired at Home

The whole wide world is doing their part during this unprecedented time, which for most people means staying home and social distancing. Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by this, and in many ways, we’re in the same boat here at Starfire Direct. In an effort to help share some inspiration, our team has come up with 10 things we’ve been doing to enjoy balancing work and family life at home. We hope you get to try some of these yourself!

1. Teach your pet a new trick.

You most certainly can teach an old dog new tricks. Take some time out of your day, even just ten minutes, to teach your pet a new trick. Who doesn’t want to dance merengue with their best bud? If you’re not sure where to get started, there’s plenty of great training videos out there. Start with just one simple trick and build on that. Food is a great way to motivate, and repeating the training daily will keep your furry friend from forgetting. Bonus! This also makes for adorable content for your social media. We’d love to see too, so don’t forget to follow @starfiredirect on Instagram and Facebook and tag us in your post!

2. Look to the stars.

Escape the noise by getting lost in space. When the stars come out at night, use an app on your phone or tablet to learn the names of the constellations in the sky around you as well as interesting facts about them. We like Sky Map for Android and SkyView for Apple iOS. Spark your children’s imagination and create lasting memories when you spend just 30 minutes under the vast night sky.

3. Have a BBQ!

Everybody loves eating outside, or as the Italians say, dining al fresco! Rather than cooking indoors, consider taking the experience--and mess--outdoors. The fresh air will do you good, and the unique flavor of grilled meats and veggies will be a welcome change from your regular meals. Perhaps you can even try out a new recipe while you’re at it? If you’re in need of a new grill, we’ve got you covered. Check out our awesome grill selection here, or give us a call at (866) 578-8538 to get some ideas for your next backyard BBQ.

4. Spring cleaning, indoors and out.

Spring is here! And nothing feels better than a clean, organized, and fresh home. Cleaning helps to focus you on what you truly need, and what brings you joy. Get rid of the clutter! Having a tidy home will keep your spirits up, and you might even find some goodies you thought you’d lost. Don’t forget your outdoor space, too. Take the covers off your patio furniture, fire pit, and grill, and make sure you’ve got everything in tip top shape. Remember, if it’s clean and ready to go

5. S’mores please.

What more can we say? This campfire classic is a feel good, delicious, and interactive treat that the whole family will love. Experiment with other sweets, such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, almond butter, or caramel chocolate for a spin on this childhood favorite. And if just mixing up the components isn’t enough for you, check out this incredibly unique Marshmallow Roasting Stick. It’s both adorable and efficient for bulk roasting.

6. Start a new hobby!

What better time than now to start learning that new thing that you’ve always wanted to learn! If ever there was a moment to “waste” time on something fun, it’s now. Maybe it won’t go great at first, but you’ve got the time to keep practicing, right? Since it is Spring, think outdoors and try your hand at gardening. Veggies grown in your own garden always taste that much better. Or maybe find a beautiful outdoor view and use watercolors or pencils to capture it. Whatever it is you’ve always wanted to try, why not start now?

7. Play board games.

Card games, too, if that’s what you prefer. It’s always a good idea to plan a family game night. Did you know that many fire pits turn into tables so you can play outdoors? If you’re home alone or looking to play with distant friends or relatives, try FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom. Steam has some great online games, as well, for our more technology-based readers. Just pick your games wisely—we all know how crazy some people get about Monopoly.

8. Build a DIY fire pit.

If you’ve been thinking of adding a fire pit to your outdoor entertaining space, or if your existing one needs a facelift, consider making it a new DIY project. Not to toot our own horn, but we’re kind of experts in this area, and we’d love to help you out. From fire pit rings and pans, to fire glass and lava rock, we’ve got everything you’ll need to polish up your fire pit. Give us a call at (866) 578-8538, live chat us, or contact us here with any questions you may have. And when your fire pit is all done, those s’mores are going to taste even better.

9. Movie & pizza night.

Lots of us are binging our Netflix and Disney+ watch lists, but it’s time to take it up a notch. Fire up the outdoor pizza oven and have everyone in the family craft their own personal pizza. If you’ve got a projector, enjoy a movie and homemade pizza outside for a viewing experience under the stars. In our Ultimate Movie Night Outdoors blog article we also provide some instructions on how to build your own projector! Take it a step further with a bit of popcorn and other yummy snacks. Fancy up your popcorn with some sweet chocolate drizzle and your favorite candy or make it savory with some parmesan cheese and olive oil. We don’t think it gets much better than that!

10. Read a book.

Books are a great way to escape into another world, but when was the last time you got to enjoy the journey? When things start feeling too overwhelming, pick up a new novel and dive into someone else’s story. You know that book that you started on a few months back? It’s time to finish it now! As the ever-popular George R.R. Martin has written, “A reader lives a thousand lives”. Now’s a great time to experience one or two of them. And of course, we’re going to encourage you to do it outdoors!