What little things will you be doing in the coming months to make things more bearable?

[Dazedandconfused28]

Sorry to post in AIBU - it's just for traffic really.

I always struggle in the winter months, but I'm dreading January/February/March this year as work will be horribly stressful, I probably won't have childcare, I live in a small, garden-less flat with a toddler & all the usual things we would do for entertainment (museums, coffee shops, soft play) are shut. We don't have any family close by, and every day feels like something to get through. I'm trying to stick to a strict routine & get outside.

Do you have plans for small things you will do each day to keep your sanity? Or things that will bring you joy?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4122602-can-we-share-ideas-to-make-the-best-of-the-next-couple-of-months

same set up as you. my new year resolution was to be happy no matter what - have already failed as got pretty miserable today.

at the moment, DC is going to go to the nursery - both WFH. Other than that - we try to see his friends from nursery outside in parks (this is still allowed). Go to different parks - e.g. London does have a lot of places to go to and focus on little things that you can find in each of them e.g. dinosaurs in Crystal Palace, fish in Holland Park, chickens in Kensington Gardens etc. the viver on the south bank etc.... that keeps our little one entertained. We've relaxed the rule on going outside and are now staying in a little bit more as it's cold - used to go outside twice a day. Space your trips a little bit so you have something to look forward to every few days.

the problem for me is that it's been so long now that i don't remember life being any different. on the plus side, little kids wont remember it so they dont care, it's just us who find it difficult.

Reading lots of books. This kept me sane first lockdown.
Running if the pavements ever defrost.
I've planted some bulbs so look forward to them coming up.
A big jigsaw that hopefully dc will help with.
Trying some new recipes.
Taking each day at a time and knowing this can only really get better hopefully.

Exercise and alcohol on an evening. Running helps to clear my mind and boost my mood. Whilst I know it's not great, a couple of glasses on an evening has also really helped.

I'm sorry for duplicating threads.

Thank you for your suggestions - I generally feel more positive and able in the mornings, by the time it gets dark I struggle & anxiety sets in.

I have ordered a journal, so going to start trying to write in that each day.

I'm going to get a few Really Useful Boxes. I'm fed up of constantly putting toys back together e.g plastic flower garden bits and bits of Lego back in the box. I hoping a few boxes which are a bit harder to open will prevent the spread of random bits of toys all over the house.

I have a small lively no idea so am keen for some ideas!

*absolutely 🙈 not a small lively!

I am lucky enough to live near a river and I have a paddle board and a kayak and go out on the river most days before work. Totally check my privilege.

Running. It’s helped me enormously over the past six months. Fitting it in around work is tricky but I am doing my best.

TV and reading are really helping me to pass the time.

And baths with really fabulous scented oils/salts.

@EmmanuelleMakro you must be bloody freezing, that doesn't appeal at this time of year!! (Assuming you are in the UK and not some gorgeous, warm, summer climate...)

We're meant to be getting a puppy in Feb, so not really a little thing, but will keep us busy. Just waiting a couple of weeks to hear how her hearing is (she's a white boxer)

No problem @Dazedandconfused28 hope you find the other one useful

30 days of yoga challenge with Adriene on YouTube

My animals have no idea that anything is different, so I’ll keep walking my dog and riding my horse. Thank goodness we live in a very rural place .....

Also tier 4...however we recently adopted a dog so the plan is lots of walks in the evenings after work (key worker) and exploring the village we live in for play areas. Lived here for 18 months but due to work we don't really know the village. Weekends, lots of walks with the dog to local national Trust type grounds and big public parks etc places. Lots of them here are doing kids trails where you have to find pictures etc which is fun or those eye spy books are good for older kids.

You don't say how old your toddler is, but maybe make play doh with them, bake, buy rich tea biscuits and let them decorate them? Outdoor play areas are open even in t4 so get out and about when you can, maybe try and get a trike or scooter to make walks more fun, if you have woods near by do a bug hunt, bark rubbings, make your own treasure hunt...find a a Red thing, find 3 green things, find a bird, find a squirrel.

Go puddle jumping in the rain

Fins a duck pond, get some wild bird seed and feed the ducks

Play pool sticks (chuck a stick off a bridge into moving water, whoevers stick comes out the other side first wins)

Thanks OP, it's helpful to think about this. I'm definitely going to pick up some bulbs to plant as a result of this thread.

Exercising alone without the kids
Pedicures
Working in coffee shops once they reopen (I can't WAIT!!)
Read more
Get back low carbing, need to be 137 by the time I go back to work. So around a ten pound loss. Already signed up for bootcamp

Homemade goat's milk caramel decaf lattes the way I like.
Baths with bath bombs
Mopping when the kids are out of the house (I find this very soothing....)
Cuddling my little ones
Making use of a new unnecessary tv subscription before I cancel it in a few weeks time
Paper mache (oddly I also found this soothing...)