November in the UK brings another national lockdown, but with an end date of December 2nd, I have a little more optimism than last time. Read about how I'll be keeping busy in lockdown 2.0...
Cooking & Baking
I have always loved baking, but since lockdown I have had a lot more spare time to dedicate to pretty cakes and delicious dinners. Faves are my chocolate orange drizzle loaf, ooh and a coconut and lime cake I invented. Best dinners have to be katsu curry (thank you Wagamamas) and a hearty beef stew (I'm really making the most of my slow cooker recently!). BBC Good Food is great for every kind of recipe you want, so start there if you're looking for inspiration.
Basketball & Cycling
I used to play netball and loved it. It's been a few years since I've played, but I thought the next closest (and free) thing to do was to play basketball in our local park. The only cost was ordering a basketball and a pump on Amazon - if you already have one, just find a hoop near you! This weekend my boyfriend and I cycled to the park, played basketball and cycled back. We got our daily exercise and it just felt like fun, I think that's the key to exercise - make it fun!
Clearing out Clutter
De-clutter your life! This was on my to-do list for today, but I have been cooking three meals (a roast, a soup and a ham for the week) and baking cakes, so its on the list for next weekend. I'm not sure if this is just me, but I seem to accumulate so much STUFF. I desperately need to do a clear out of my drawers, which currently consist of everything from important docs/life admin to beauty samples and random bits and bobs - it's out of control! I also need to have another wardrobe clear out as I currently can't fit everything in my clothes drawers/wardrobe...first world problems I know. If this sounds like your situation, have a clear out - you'll feel so much better for it and more at peace. You can even make a bit of money selling items you no longer wear or get that feel good feeling of donating it all to charity.
Online Shopping
If you're clearing out clutter, you'll be more likely to want to get rid of things if you know you're buying new things. Sometimes we need to treat ourselves, even if we have nowhere to wear things right now. So if it makes you feel happier and you can afford it, why not? It is called retail therapy after all. Invest in pieces that are good quality and you know you'll wear next winter.
A Walk A Day
Since the days are getting darker earlier now, make sure you get out at least once a day for a bit of sunlight. We all need a top up of vitamin D in the winter months and it will make you feel so much better for moving your body - even if it's just a 10 minute walk to sit on a park bench - do it! With a lack of vitamin D being found in 80% of Covid patients, it makes sense for me to take vitamins (as I have been deficient before) and get out for a walk at least once a day, whilst it's light.
Watching Movies/TV
I am a huge movie lover. Curling up in front of the TV and getting lost in a really great movie is hard to beat. Recent favourites include Green Book, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and A Quiet Place - highly recommend these. In these difficult times, its easy to feel down. Nothing cheers me up more than putting on New Girl, if I want to belly laugh that's where you'll find me. Recently I've been enjoying The Queens Gambit on Netflix, come on feminism! Put on whatever movie/series that takes you to your happy place and enjoy it.
Hopefully this inspires you this lockdown, whether that means keeping busy or chilling out and having some me time. Try to keep your mind and body, happy and healthy.
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