Last Updated on October 30, 2020 by snaphappytravel
These are strange times indeed, 2020 will certainly be remembered for decades to come! It will be remembered for both the good and the bad. The good being more time spent with family, the chance to slowdown and of course eating all that banana bread you baked. The bad being the fear, loneliness and poverty this virus has brought to many.
Another Lockdown can be a lonely, stressful time for many especially coming into the dark Winter months. So I’ve put together this list of little things you can do to make the most of lockdown. Be good to yourself and make sure you complete at least a few of these little things. If this year has taught us anything it’s that we’re more resilient than we think and that we deserve to be kind to ourselves.
There’s loads of advice out there on how to weather this Lockdown out – some of it is unrealistic tips that only adds to the stress of this time. But, hopefully my tips will be your ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for the next 5 weeks.
So, here’s the full list expanded (hopefully it provides some inspiration for you)
#1 Take a family photograph – this ‘strange’ time needs to be remembered
#2 A night of board games
Some good one’s are old time favourites Monopoly, Uno & Cluedo. Or the more quirky option of Settlers of Catan. Or for adults-only is Cards against Humanity – what a laugh. Here’s a list of the most popular board games.
#3 Cosy up with a good book & a soft blanket
Some of my favourite books include We Need to Talk about Kevin; The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt & To Kill a Mockingbird. But, here’s a list of the best books of 2020 so you can pick your own.
#4 Buy a new Christmas ornament to remember Christmas 2020
I’ve a feeling a lot of you will be putting up the Christmas Tree early, because why not after the year we’ve had. Why not buy a unique ornament to place of the tree to remember the beautiful disaster that was 2020. Here’s a lost of some funny 2020-related Christmas ornaments.
#5 Facetime/ call that friend you’ve been meaning to
Take it upon yourself to connect with someone daily. I know, it’s easier not to bother – but I can assure you when you pick up the phone & make the call you will feel tons better. Surely you will have improved someone else’s day too with the sound of your voice.
#6 Wear your good perfume
Or your good lipstick – anything that will make you feel more ‘like yourself’. No need to save it for a special occasion, as I honestly don’t think we’ll have proper ‘normal’ celebrations for a while to come.
#7 Don’t wear your comfy clothes every day
It’s easy to get stuck in the rut of wearing your pyjamas or trackies every day, especially with nowhere to go. But, believe me you will feel a million times better for putting on your favorite dress/ outfit and some makeup.
#8 Get dressed up and have a date night at home with your significant other
Try to have an at home date night once a week – set up the table real nice, cook your favourite meal, have some nice wine, light some candles. We can’t go out to a restaurant so bring the restaurant to you.
#9 Light that good candle you’ve been saving
#10 Drink that good wine you’ve been saving for a special occasion
#11 Bake a cake
Non-banana bread recipes can be found here
#12 Shop locally online – treat yourself
I saw a meme recently that said something along the lines of “don’t boost Amazon’s profits this Christmas – shop locally” and that really resonated with me. It can be all too easy to just pop on Amazon and order stuff for your entire Christmas list, but, this year please take the time to research local companies that will stock the same items or similar. If we don’t support these small businesses now it is likely they won’t ever re-open.
#13 Make a playlist on Spotify
#14 Go for a walk (within your 5km of course)
Need I say more, fresh air is good for the soul. I know it can be harder to get out for a walk now that we’re coming into the Winter but you will feel all the better for it (even its just a quick 30 minute walk).
#15 Keep a Diary
Write down your feelings – this can make it easier to manage them, Seeing them in black & white will likely help to ease the burden you may be feeling. I find that writing things makes it easier for me to see a solution to my problems.
#16 Slow the pace
We all have goals & ambitions but also to be able to enjoy daily life, we need to pause at regular intervals. Lockdown 2.0 if anything is your permission to slow down.
#17 Find a purpose
You need something to get you out of bed in the morning – that’s a purpose. Choose something that you want to accomplish over Lockdown – whether that be learn a new language (Duolingo is fab for that), run for 5km (download the Couch to 5k app) or sign up for a free online course here
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