Planning for nice things ideas thread

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I'm feeling a bit as if life has been passing me by recently. Too much focus on work and not enough on the nicer sides of life. So with that in mind, I want to start some planning so that I've got at least inside thing to look forward to every week.
So far I'm thinking:thinking
Cinema tripC

Meal out, or even just coffee and cake

Weekend away somewhere relatively lose to home, so not too much wasted in travel time

Massage

Maybe getting nails done, when they've grown a bit

Train ride to another town for lunch and a walk

Art gallery or museum

Can anybody think of anymore? They can be big or small, just need to be nice!

@JammyRedRooo
Fabulous list.

I'm going to check out what's coming to the local theatres. Have just booked a Michelin star restaurant for dp's birthday and will book somewhere nice for mine too. Also looking into cinema passes.

If there are any vineyards near you you can pencil in helping with the harvests in September or October. I go it on my own and it’s just the best free day out. You go home exhausted but usually with a free bottle of wine and you spend the day with some great people

@EtInTerraPax

Oh, I have read very, very glowing reviews of Lia Leendertz's almanac *@Whatliesbeneath707*

My gut feeling is she's a MNer

I've just looked up the Almanac and ordered one. It might also be suitable for a relative whose birthday is in January. Thank you for the recommendation!

@LifeOfBriony that's great.

Such a lovely thread. I really need to get out more and start prioritising time for myself so this is helping me with ideas.

Thanks everyone.

A day trip to the seaside for fish and chips
Visiting a new exhibition
Train journey to a town or city you've ne er visited.

Yes to fish and chips at the seaside. A day trip is a bit of a slog for us, but I'll definitely book a trip.

Trip to a garden centre with a nice cafe.

Feed the ducks on your local pond (rice/rolled oats or duck food, not bread before anyone squeaks). This was my mother’s answer to everything. Even when I was moping after breaking up with a boyfriend aged 17, my mother still marched me out of the house to feed the ducks to cheer me up. She was dead right - I did it under sufferance but it’s very therapeutic!

@VenusClapTrap

Feed the ducks on your local pond (rice/rolled oats or duck food, not bread before anyone squeaks). This was my mother’s answer to everything. Even when I was moping after breaking up with a boyfriend aged 17, my mother still marched me out of the house to feed the ducks to cheer me up. She was dead right - I did it under sufferance but it’s very therapeutic!

Love it!

I love feeding ducks 😊 they also love frozen peas and sweetcorn

Look up which outdoor theatre performances will be happening near you in the summer.

Some NT properties do outside jazz shows in the summer, which are nice.

Go to a professional football/rugby/ice hockey/sport of your choice fixture.
Try out wake boarding.
Go ice skating.
Go to a cookery class.
Take a journey on an old fashioned steam train.

Great idea! We saw the Lord Chamberlain's Men on their tour this year, it was fantastic. They're touring with As You Like It in 2022.

We recently rediscovered the joy of duck feeding at our local nature reserve. Even the 11 year old who is much too cool to do such things enjoys it. Simple fun. The almanac arrived today, there’s a new wall calendar incoming and I’m starting to plot out our year. Wanting to get more fun in this year, it feels a bit like life has been on pause here.

Steam train and ice skating both great ideas.

Get an OS Leisure map of your area and walk any footpaths you havent already? Not so much of a treat as some suggestions but I have really enjoyed this and its got me out loads!

This is such a lovely thread so thanks for starting it. I’ve felt in a bit of a rut with toddler and a 6 month old baby but I want to try and make small positive changes. I think first thing I’ll do is buy myself a lovely notebook and make a list of lovely things that are do-able with a baby

Buying a lovely notebook is an excellent idea - definitely something to look forward to!

@Lostthetastefordahlias It's a great suggestion, but I just feel so DONE with local walking. We do it, and generally enjoy it, but it no longer feels like something to look forward to, more the thing we do when we haven't got anything else to do.

Place marking
Also wondering if I am too late for planting bulbs

A lady comes to do my feet once every 6 weeks. I feel like I am walking on air after she does them.

Got a pizza oven during lockdown 1. Now we make pizza once a month.

Buy in the ice cream and the popcorn and watch a family movie.

Go to a visit to your local garden centre. Lovely to look around to get ideas. Mine does lovely unique gifts and cards and a fabulous cafe with extensive dessert menu.

@batmanladybird not too late to plant bulbs, as long as they haven’t got mouldy. Just get them in the ground. They might come up a bit later than normal that’s all.