As the days get colder and the rain more frequent, I've found myself looking back through photos from the summer. I was lucky to have a very busy few months after finishing my first year of university and had the best time so I thought I'd do a recap of everything I got up to. Festivals I'd never been to a festival before and this year I went to 3! The first was The Isle of Wight Festival which was just amazing and I definitely think it's a festival for everyone to enjoy. We were able to see some amazing artists including Lewis Capaldi, Tom Grennan, The Kooks, Rudimental, Madness, Shaggy and so many more. I did end up burning myself really badly on the first day, despite frequently applying suncream but that was a small price to pay and I've already planned to go again in 2023! I also went to Boomtown which is a different kind of experience music wise but was so good to spend time with my boyfriend - Ryan and our friends. Also, the sets were incredible, and the eff...
We’re all going to be pros at finding things to entertain ourselves after this aren’t we! Being stuck inside feels very familiar, however, without the warm weather that accompanied the first lockdown. I thought I’d share some of the things I enjoyed doing and some ideas to pass the time over the next few weeks.
Get some fresh air
One activity I really enjoyed and valued during the first lockdown was getting out and going on regular walks around my town. When restrictions were eased more I also travelled to quieter beaches since I love being by the sea and find it so relaxing! It's definitely harder to get outside as much during the colder months but I've still made an effort and always feel better for it. Here are a few photos I've taken whilst out on walks this year!
Watch anything and everything
The most obvious go-to activity is of course watching films or tv shows. I’ve spent my time watching all the cheesy Christmas films on Netflix recently and have no complaints! During the first lockdown, I also re-watched One Tree Hill and New Girl which are favourites of mine and would always recommend. I'm definitely going to do an updated post of things I've enjoyed watching this year soon!
Self-care
Having some extra time to yourself means you can really focus on self-care, which can mean something different for everyone. Personally, I don’t think you can beat relaxing in the bath, especially if snacks are involved. Also, you can light some candles, use some of your favourite products or watch a cosy film to make it even more enjoyable! Really, all of these ideas are forms of self -care through, so whatever works best for you! Honest;y, sometimes just catching up on sleep is what you need so if you've more hours in the day, now could be a good time to sort out that sleep pattern (I'm trying!)
Get creative
I love taking photos and it's been one of my favourite things to do throughout this year, making the most of spending more time outside in nature especially. I'm definitely grateful to live somewhere with great views and places to walk! Another great idea is to produce some sort of art or craft, this can be a lot of fun and I know many people find it therapeutic too. It doesn't have to be anything special, even if you just doodle in a notebook! Below are just a few of the photos I really enjoyed taking throughout 2020.
Cooking and Baking
I’ve seen so many people learning or experimenting with cooking this year and it’s an activity that is productive too. It’s also never too early to start baking anything remotely Christmas related and that gives you plenty of choices! Seeing what everyone has made makes me incredibly hungry, that's for sure!
Utilise your phone
There’s always negativity around being on our phones and it how it makes us less productive, which I completely understand. Being on your phone and social media 24/7 isn’t healthy. However, it’s also the perfect tool to pass some time and connect with people! Like many people, I’ve spent a lot of time on Tik Tok this year which it’s great for a quick laugh and have also jumped on the Among Us bandwagon, I'm not much of a gamer but it's pretty addictive!
Exercise
During the first lockdown, I really enjoyed getting out and going on walks around my town. We were really lucky with the weather so it was an easy form of exercise for me. However, with the days getting colder, wetter and darker, being outside isn’t something I necessarily want to do. There are so many different ways to exercise from home and there is plenty of content online to help, whether it’s an app, videos or just seeing motivation from others. I have to admit, I've not had as much motivation recently but am going to make an effort again now we're stuck inside more!
Being productive
It's ridiculous to expect anyone to be super productive every day but I know a lot of people are working or studying from home and it's definitely something that makes the days go by quicker. I study and work alongside each other and the months have flown by! I've a lot seen a lot of people start online courses - both free and paid or have started learning a new skill. I recently completed a free course on Alison.com and would definitely recommend them!
Listen to something
I love listening to music during most activities, whether it's studying, exercising, cleaning and have really taken the time to find new music this year. For a while, I just listened to the songs I know and love but I've enjoyed discovering new artists and don't go a day without listening to some form of music. I'm also a big fan of podcasts and think they're a great alternative to music, especially if you're doing a pretty mundane task. Audiobooks are another great alternative, something I know a lot of people enjoy in the evening as a way to chill out before bed. Here's one of my Spotify playlists if you're interested!
Other ideas include chatting to others over Zoom, whether it's a family catch-up or big pub quiz. Board games are also a big yes from me and I've enjoyed seeing people re-decorate and renovate as well! Please let me know anything you've been doing during these strange times!
Lockdown has afforded us free time to do the things we love or simply learn to find new interests. Though I am based in the United States and am not under lockdown, I do not go out much at all these days and so have had plenty of time to enjoy music, the fresh air and, especially baking. My latest creation were lemon blueberry scones. :)
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