Making the best of things this autumn?

[Butteredbagette]

With cases of covid19 rising, new restrictions coming in, local lockdowns increasing I think many of us are realising that this isn't going to be over any time soon and that the coming winter and festive season will be especially tough.

I know that many are very upset and that this thread won't be of much comfort to lots of people who are really struggling but I am looking for ideas on how to make the best of the next 6 months or so given where we are?

A couple of things I am doing is overhauling my diet with a view to losing a little weight hopefully for good rather than my usual pre-christmas dash to slim down for christmas.

The lack of commute means I have more time for proper routines and I've been getting to bed earlier and reading a lot more.

Also I have a home use skin laser that works but does make my face very red. As I won't be doing any socialising for the forseeable future now is the perfect time to use it.

Also doing some online courses to learn some new skills for my work which I've been meaning to do for ages.

I'm going to really miss all the usual autumn celebrations we have here but am determined to make the best of it with lots of walks, nice food and hyggi.

Anyone else got any ideas to add?

Lovely thread.

I guess we will just have to try to make the best of it.

We've got lots of house jobs to keep us going. Youngest dc has got lots of catching up to do school wise.

Halloween I'm hoping to decorate the house a bit, still do a pumpkin, watch a scary film, maybe a night walk with torches, make Halloween cakes.

Bonfire night if it's not raining might do a few small fireworks in the garden and hotdogs.

Want to try to stay healthy, so trying to cook healthy food and walk, run, cycle.

Winter doesn't really bother me too much. I actually find Summer with restrictions worse somehow.

Honestly, this thread has really cheered me up. I have been feeling very negative about the state of things this morning.

I have a (nearly) 2 year old so lots of walking in wellies in the leaves, I will take her trick-or-treating to a few neighbours on the road dressed in something ridiculous, I love the idea of making our own mince pies and baking. I am having a baby in 8 weeks so the wine will be back in for Christmas. I will be getting lots of crafty stuff in for my DD for Christmas decorations (the gaudier the better).

Thank you for starting this thread OP.

Wonderful thread, thanks! My radio was on it's last legs so have treated myself to a new DAB one that also has bluetooth, so I can listen to BBC 6 Music or my own Spotify tracks while washing up and not have it tuned to the news all the time.

I live in Cornwall so have planned a few trips around the place before it gets too dodgy to use public transport (I don't drive). Or the weather gets too grim.

I have some DVD's like Bohemian Rhapsody to rewatch during the cooler months when I want something to cheer me up a bit, and am planning small treats like seeing friends in the park, having a nice meal at home or maybe buying a new board game for me and DCs.

And like others I have made sure I have a very warm cosy waterproof coat so I can still venture out (and stand in queues... sigh) without freezing my tits off.

Wellies are a great idea for kids, and keep some old jeans/trousers. Great for woodland walks where there's lots of leaves to kick, crunch and splashing in puddles.

@LadyCatStark

Getting outdoors as much as possible! I’ve made sure we all have appropriate outdoor clothing ready for winter.

Same, have invested in some walking boots for is all, good quality rain coats, gloves and hats. Going to walk and explore as much as we can.

Definitely lots of country walks & baking.

We're planning a huge Halloween, all dressing up, doing house up getting sweets in and planning games. For autumn itself, yes, snug clothes, loads of walks, hot chocolate, board games

Just love this thread. Thank you OP.

Hoping to get away to the seaside with a friend for a weekend.

Meeting friends for walks or coffee.

Lots of walks.

Visiting my parents in the West of Ireland.

Reading 19th century novels by the fire.

Sitting looking at the fire.

Listening to the radio.

Cooking, baking and preserving.

Will pass on Halloween though will make an effort for the kids. And take week off work.

Full on Advent and Christmastide.

We have a couple of Autumn breaks booked , hoping to still go on those . Self catering and very comfortable so we can keep to ourselves and do outdoor activities in the day time .

I am thinking of getting an outdoor heater so we can continue garden meet ups. We have moved inside with these recently (there's only 4 of us) but with rising rates and local lockdowns we may need to move back outside .

We have a couple of decorating projects we are planning.

It's difficult balancing out the need for healthy eating and not putting weight on with the notion of feeling cosy whilst eating comfort foods and drinking hot chocolate! And I love mulled wine and mulled cider . Maybe some home made veggie soup and casseroles .

Now that the park is empty during the day time with the children back at school planning on using the outdoor gym to build up some strength .

And nice long dog walks in the countryside. I think the countryside is especially beautiful in the Autumn .

And not worrying that I will struggle getting to work if there is snow as I'm still working in the spare room .

Love this thread Op, I was literally saying to my partner today that even if things aren't running as normal this autumn/winter I fully intend d to make the most of it.
Already booked to go to a pumpkin patch and will go all out on decorations this year and take 2 Yr old dd trick or treating in our street.
Bonfire night for theist few years we have done our own in the garden so will be doing that again.
Christmas time I hope we can still take dd to see santa and do a few Xmas days out but will also do lots of baking, crafts, hot chocolate and movie days, winter walks on the beach and woods etc.
I'm due another baby just before Christmas so by new year we will be a family of 4 and I will have plenty to keep me busy!

This thread was just what I needed. I was dreading Christmas this year. Just cannot be arsed. After reading this, thing I'll just take December off work and enjoy lots of walking and baking and working out.

I love autumn for walks. Cool and crisp with wonderful colours.

We will also tackle lots of box sets!

Trying to clear stuff out in the house as I've accumulated a lot of junk.

Writing, reading and journaling. Been setting myself prompts and targets to keep up with this.

Lovely thread :)

Great positive thread OP. I plan to make the most of my WFH commute time by going for walks or doing yoga when the weather gets grim. Lots of cozy fires and having time to make nicer food, enjoying not being as frazzled from rushing around and stressing about Christmas.

Great to stay positive. I’ve been (and still am) unwell for some time so am planning a quiet autumn with some easy bits like colouring (adults and children!) maybe some crochet and crafty bits for the kids..firework art, Halloween and obviously Christmas although that currently feels a long time off. I’m not sure if I will manage walks but hopefully my husband and children will, we love windy beach walks this time of year with hot chocolate..lovely.
Simple pleasures, being grateful for what we do have.

I'm stocking up on sticker books and activity books as it's a sure-fire way of keeping DD3 entertained for an afternoon.

I've bought us all new winter coats, waterproof trousers for DD and a rain cover for the pushchair.

Started buying Christmas presents already

This is such a nice thread 💐

I am going to treat myself to a grown up advent calendar. I always thought they were a bit extravagant but I’m going for if this year!

I’m also going to buy a milk frother to make lovely coffee and hot chocolate at home.

Hoping to still get to our Centre Parcs break in October. We’ve booked a couple pumpkin picking experiences in country parks. I’ve booked about 100 outdoor Christmas activities - light shows at Dunham Massey, Lightopia, Chester Zoo lanterns. We are going to Lotherton Hall for their Christmas walk. Piglets Farm in York to see Santa. Stockeld Park for their enchanted forest & Santa.. 🙈 I’m determined to make the most of life, outdoor activities are still fun. There’s so many nice things to do. We’ll make the most of Christmas & do a few sparklers & drive up a big hill near our house to watch fireworks in peoples gardens!
Need to get some crafty bits in for DD for those rainy days. And buy myself some wellies!

@RhubarbTea DAB radios rule 6 music is the soundtrack of our house, Saturday evening 6-9pm Craig Charles funk and soul show is possibly the best 3 hours of radio each week, he stands in for many DJs as well his music is super!

Silly I know but have orange net bag for my fruit shopping, have ordered orange silk knickers for Halloween and a pumpkin themed face mask, these little things cheer me up, my jigsaws are autumn themed now.

@Bol87 I'm not far from Stockeld Park. Love their Winter walk.

Boots do great jigsaws made of a collage of your own photos. You can include loads of random photos to make it harder and more fun.

I love this thread!
I’ve just booked the pumpkin patch, and have been writing down some ideas to plan out our autumn and winter.

I’m feeling a bit down today and this has really lifted my spirits?

It will be sad at Halloween, such a big thing around here, I doubt we will get hoards of kids at the doors , or even whether it is safe to give out sweets.
No firework displays or bonfire parties, and I am guessing this will extend into christmas time too. Will be hard for families who use this time to get together.

I've got to buy warm underwear.

Also I'm going to tick off daily exercise. There is no excuse anymore.

Bump. Anyone need a cheerful autumn thread?