Things to do in lockdown

[BigCrimboCorona]

What easy little things have you done to make yourself feel better or at least cope during lockdown?

Some ideas I've had a go at over the last 9 months (not all at once!)

• learning a basic language (free online course)
• exercise or go for a walk every day (even for 15 minutes to get in the habit)
• plan out what you'd like to do over a week/month/year if you have a goal, career or personal
• write to friends or relatives
• declutter a room a week

I am sure I can think of more...

Sorry just read that you said easy little things but I've found that having something I can focus on has helped the time go by more than ending up watching the TV!

Lots of walks.
Lots of exercise. Les Mills on demand is good for 15 minute workouts.
Proper meal planning and cooking nice new things.
Listening to podcasts.

Quiz
Treasure Hunt
Declutter small areas / organise
Fix / replace broken stuff
Photography
Walks
Cycle rides
Exercise bike
Reading / audiobooks / book club
Podcasts
Good film / popcorn night
Cooking / cakes / bread making
Painting / Upcycling
Treat nights - we are having hot chocolate evening with all the trimmings
Board games / cards / chess
Spa evening
Plan future trip / travel / treat for 2021 / 2022

Sorry I’ve got nothing. 3 young kids (one only a year old), a full time job, a DH who works 12 hours days... all we’ve managed is survival.

Jigsaws
Learning a language on Duolingo
Working my way through The Big Bang Theory with the DCs
Couch to 5k and now to 10k
Perfecting bread making
Making preserves and pickles
Embroidery

All cliches, but they have been a distraction from the horror. January is going to be about yoga and emailing friends more often.

So besides working long hours, all I’ve managed is to crochet multiple blankets and scarfs/ shawls.

I crocheted anyway but got back in to it before lockdown 1 and have continued throughout. It’s my stress reliever for sure.....

My Dsis (support bubble) has bought me a beautiful knitting/crochet bag, wool and every size of hook as she has promised to teach me.

I'm a bit skeptical tbh as I am left handed and my lovely late DM who was very crafty and patient ended up throwing the crochet hooks out of the window on the many times she tried to teach me :)

@PurpleDaisies

Lots of walks. Lots of exercise. Les Mills on demand is good for 15 minute workouts. Proper meal planning and cooking nice new things. Listening to podcasts.

How is the meal planning going? It's something I can never keep up on a consistent basis even though when I do it, it makes life SO much easier

Walks - often in places like forests that I've never been to before
Reading and less screen time (eh, oops!)
Researching more about functional medicine
Looking up educational apps and videos for my smalls
Organizing my recipes
Trying out new recipes
Organizing cupboards

Meal planning has been really good Edel, thanks. I started properly in lockdown one when we were really trying to minimise going out and use up everything from the veg box. There was a thread running on here then and I got into good habits.

What really helps is making a list of things in the fridge that need using up and what’s coming in the veg box. Dh and I sit down with a week to view calendar and the shopping list. Being realistic and having a couple of freezer nights a week is helpful. Plus some stock meals that can just be made without thinking. Occasionally I slip but I have to remind myself to get going again and not feel bad about not having done it.

Great thread with good ideas!

Online gaming works for us!!

These ideas make me happy just reading them! Love the idea of starting a little family recipe folder and trying out some new recipes!

I learned how to play Minecraft! It's amazing. Very relaxing and quite beautiful.

I am glad you started this thread. I have been astonished at how many people say "My child's mental health is suffering because they can't see their friends and go to the shops. I would rather schools be open and risk them getting covid and be happy!"
I was raised in the country and I saw other children once a week at church for two hours. My mental health didn't suffer because there were no play groups.
When schools shut down I told my DS that we were going to re-create that life. He was given chores:
--Feeding, watering, and walking the dogs twice a day.

--Making one meal a day including cleanup after cooking.
--Doing all his laundry, strip bed, sort, wash, dry, fold and put away.
--Sweeping and mopping the main room.
--I kept the same schedule (up at 7, to bed at 10 and no computer time until school was finished).
--I gave him driving lessons (in car only) no stopping for contact with others.
He learned enough in lockdown to be able to survive if he ever goes into a place of his own and he learned to appreciate what I had been doing for him all these years. No "mental breakdowns" no sulking and his grades are better than when he was attending school.