Relatively speaking, electricity is a fairly new invention but one that most generations have not lived without, and anytime they do it is considered "roughing it." In college, we lost power one time in the dorm rooms and our suite-mate was completely beside herself. She wanted coffee to calm her nerves until we told her that her coffee pot would not work. She then jumped up saying she wanted to pop popcorn in the microwave.
Again, electricity is required. She eventually slumped in a corner of our room and pouted until the power came on. What did my friend and I do? We made the most of it, lit candles and played cards.
The power going out is common with storms or general problems and many of us light a few candles or grab a flashlight then sit and do nothing until it comes back on. With power required for most stoves, for appliances, for the computers, and televisions we are at a loss of what to do when there is no power.
So, here is a list of twelve things you can do while the power is off:
Play card or board games
With the advent of the internet and online games, or with game systems hooked to the TV many people forget (or perhaps don't realize?) that games used to come without batteries and power cords. Pull out that dusty monopoly game, a jigsaw puzzle or a deck of cards. By yourself? Play solitaire with cards or be two people in a board game and allow yourself to cheat and make up rules.Read
Books aren't always downloadable or come on audio tape. Pick up a paperback, an old favorite is best, and cozy up near a window or light enough candles to see by and read.Talk
This is a great time to get to learn about each other; talk to the kids, to your significant other or to whoever is in the room with you. Ask questions, and listen to what they say without the distraction of our electronic gadgets.Play verbal games
Remember playing 21 questions or alphabet games when travelling in the car? They don't even require equipment to play. Also try charades or a home version of Pictionary, just write some phrases on paper and the game is ready! Play physical games
This is a great time to have a wrestling match, play hide-n-seek or tag. Yes, adults can engage in a little frivolous fun inside or outside (be mindful of weather conditions or nighttime conditions).Go outside
Weather and daylight permitting, of course, but head outside and just hang out on your front porch or yard and watch the world go by knowing you have no obligations for the time being.Create lists
Especially good for school-aged children, create lists of all the things in the house that require electricity. Or, create your own list for things you can do without electricity.Clean
Ugh, yeah, I am not fond of this one either and probably won't take my own advice. But, if it is during the day and you have plenty of light to see, then go ahead and purge those closets or clean out the cupboards that you normally don't have time for.Work on your hobbies
Hopefully you have hobbies that don't require electricity or that you can make do without (put down the glue gun and grab a bottle of school glue). Work on your scrapbooking, knitting, sewing (without a machine), model-building, photography, writing or any other hobby that you have and think you never have time for.Get in touch with an old friend
Often we feel shut off from the world with no electricity. However, you can write a letter to a friend or talk on a cell phone (provided it is charged up).Go for a drive
Hop in the car and go for a drive (weather permitting). Don't plan on where you are going, just pick a direction or point on a map and go.Quality time
If it is just you and your significant other, spend "quality" time together. Rumor has it that when there are major city-wide black-outs lasting several hours, the population gets an increase approximately 9 months later.
