Le Colibry’s Ideas for Making Staying Home this Spring More Bearable

Spring officially sprung on March 21. But with everything else going on in the world, the day that we had all been waiting so long for slipped right under the radar! To get your mind off of things, even for a little while, Le Colibry has some suggestions to keep you entertained (at home) and make your life easier (also at home) this spring. Plus, for those of you living in and around Geneva, find out what you and your family can do to get the support you need as well as support your own community. So, #stayhome, and take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Have a Zoom meeting

Your office might host remote meetings with Zoom, but why not repurpose it for your social life? With Zoom, physical distancing doesn’t mean cutting yourself off from the people you love. Staying in touch with friends and family can help bring a sense of normalcy back to your life.
It’s free to download and easy to use. Available for iOS/Android smartphones and tablets, and desktop. Check in and stay connected: zoom.us

Take up yoga

The nice thing about yoga is that it’s an activity you can do anytime, anywhere. Some classes are more focused on the meditative aspect of the practice and others are more physical, so you can get exactly what you want out of it.
My favorite online classes: yogachezmoi (classes are given in French, but you can still follow along with the poses even if you don’t speak the language) and dailyyoga, a well-made app with classes for students at any level, including a free series to get you started.

or face yoga, while you wait for your favorite spa to open back up: Read more

Try out meditation

Mindfulness and meditation are tools that could help you if you are feeling more anxiety or stress than usual due to the current circumstances.
Le Colibry recommends the Headspace app so you can take your meditation on the go (contrary to popular belief, meditation doesn’t have to be sedentary; Headspace even features special walking and running guided meditation). It’s accessible to everyone, even if you’ve never meditated before – their slogan is “Meditation made simple.”
Expect to spend: about $13/month if you opt for a monthly subscription, or less than $5/month if you love it and want to have it for a full year. The first 2 weeks are free, so there’s no harm in trying.

Get zen: Headspace

Take a private (virtual) museum tour

Get to know the ins and outs of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico, or the Louvre’s Petite Galerie. artsandculture.google.com
Explore collections from the top museums around the world without stepping foot outside your house!

Send yourself flowers

Since you can’t exactly go out and enjoy spring’s effects on the city’s flora, we’re bringing nature to you! Sending a beautiful bouquet of flowers to someone (that someone could be yourself…) will really brighten their day and make staying inside a little easier. Bonus points: because you’re supporting local businesses. Le Colibry highly recommends the fresh-cut, seasonal bouquets from Wuillemin Fleuriste; order via email or by phone +41 22 320 10 23

Enjoy a music break put on by the Paris Opera

The Paris Opera has made some of their most iconic performances available online, in their entirety, and for free. Watch at operadeparis.fr
Must-see: Giselle (available until August 5), Swan Lake (Le Lac des Cygnes) (March 30 – April 5). You can also catch them on the Paris Opera Facebook page and France.tv’s Culturebox.

Parisians in Geneva: the Grand Théâtre de Genève is also embracing 21st-century technology and offering many live-streamed and pre-recorded concerts and shows. See the full schedule

Stay in, eat out

Give whoever has been cooking for your household a much needed break, and let one of the many delivery services in town bring food from your favorite restaurants to you. It is also a great way to support local restaurants, one of the many industries that are having a rough go of it right now.
Parisians in Geneva:  Smood.ch and UberEats.com both have zero-contact delivery.
My (family-friendly) favorites: Lebanese food from Parfums de Beyrouth, and pizza and pasta from Luigia. You can also order in using the apps listed above.

Switch up the soundtrack to your life

Le Colibry puts together lots of playlists with the French alternative music she’s been listening to.
Music is My Therapy, 21 Mars is now up. Listen with your favorite music streaming service. Discover the playlist here
I also recommend The Weeknd’s latest album; a bit dark but excellent. Most apropos song on the album: Alone Again

Learn how to cook smarter

With Allrecipes’ “Quarantine Cooking” recipe collection: dishes that use canned goods and frozen foods you probably already have on hand, tips on cooking for one (or two), and even a guide for stocking your pantry. Clever and practical: allrecipes.com

And healthier, with Le Colibry’s go-to smoothie recipe for boosting your immunity and fighting fatigue: Get the recipe

Even better, get recipes and everything you need to execute them delivered right to your door

That’s what you’ll get with Beyondfood, a local meal kit delivery service. Fresh, seasonal ingredients, plus detailed instructions on how to prepare your meal, delivered to your doorstep. Everything you need for 3 delicious, ready-to-cook meals, in one box. Perfect for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Expect to spend: 159 Swiss francs for 3 “omnivore” meals per week – 1 with fish, 1 with meat, 1 vegetarian. Also available in smaller quantities for couples. (Works out to about 13 Swiss francs per meal.) Mouthwatering food: beyondfood.ch and wine: Cave de Genève

Find out where you can get groceries or have them delivered in Geneva: including grocery stores, independent producers and artisans, produce delivery, and wineries fairesescoursesageneve.ch

Prepare yourself for the final season of Bureau des Légendes

If you haven’t seen it yet, this French spy thriller is based on a true story and exceptionally well made – must-see TV. The final season starts April 6 on Canal+
Le Colibry also recommends: Suits (a legal drama – but you don’t need to know or care about law to enjoy the drama – starring Meghan Markle, the newest member of the British royal family), Big Little Lies (in just two seasons, all-star cast Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Meryl Streep and and crew amassed 8 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes!), Downton Abbey (forbidden love, unexpected drama, secrets, mysteries, blackmail, comedy and quips make for an excellent period drama), Homeland (need we mention that it’s Barack Obama’s favorite TV series?), Gypsy (find out what happens when a therapist oversteps her boundaries and into the lives of her patients).
Reviews: Le Colibry’s favorite TV shows (article only available in French)

Organize and declutter your home with the KonMari method

Le Colibry read Marie Kondo’s book when it came out in 2015, and since then I have happily and successfully applied the KonMari method to my own life. Decluttering, with the help of tips from the organization wizard herself, also function as a sort of mental detox. It’s true: you really do feel lighter and freer with a tidy home. Since we’re spending a lot more time inside than usual, now’s the perfect time to learn some organizational techniques. Tidy up: Read more

Write a story or document your social distancing experience in a fabulous journal

The Libri Muti collection by Slow Design features notebooks made completely by hand in Florence, Italy using time-honored printing and binding techniques. Choosing your own cover from among their selection of literary classics (like Romeo and Juliet, Moby Dick, Lolita, and The Jungle Book) might inspire you to write your own story. Or, simply use it to record your thoughts, lists, or ideas. The edges of each book block are colored by hand, a very nice touch reminiscent of the ancient craft of bookbinding. Take a trip inside your own imagination… Learn more: Le Colibry online concept store.

You could also watch a movie, play a board game, draw, reflect, sing, have a dance party in your living room, play an instrument, sleep, play cards, nap, tend to your houseplants or garden, call a friend, play with your kids, take an online class, or just relax.

Stay Home: Geneva Edition 

Get help for yourself and help fellow Genevans in need

Join the Genève Solidarité et Entraide – Coronavirus Facebook group and invite anyone you know in Geneva to do the same. People share posts on a variety of topics, including government and health official responses, lists of essential businesses that are still open, delivery services, assistance for business owners, hotlines to call if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, and lots and lots of other helpful and reliable info. Most posts are in French, but feel free to reach out in English if you have a question or request.
Bonus points: their map can help you find the resources you need near you.

Just for kids: Enter a drawing contest and support nurses

Familles à Genève is running a drawing contest set to end whenever schools reopen. Every picture entered will be given to a nurse to show support for what they do. The website, along with HUG (Geneva University Hospitals) and other Covid-19 treatment centers around the city, is working on figuring out the logistics of handing out drawings. Children 15 and under who live in the greater Geneva area, including neighboring France, are invited to enter their artwork by email (, max. 3 works of art per child). Show your support: jadoore.ch