Turn this time into something positive

When we were originally told, 'the country is being locked down and you must stay home' we all panicked. We can't see our loved ones. We can socialise. We can't go out unless it is for an essential reason. Our children can't even go to school! I must admit, I was one of the first to feel terrified and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Fast forward two weeks and I am feeling so much more positive about this time. I mean, when will we ever get this time again? The chances are, we won't. Certainly not in our lifetime again anyway. So it got me thinking about how to spend this time to make the most of it and I thought I would share some of my ideas with you.

• Spruce up your home - This can be anything really small, to maybe something bigger. Why not finish those little DIY jobs you have been putting off for a while, like putting up photo frames and filling them with some images to make you smile. So many of us have packs of photos tucked away in a drawer and we forget they are even there. Now more than ever is a time to be feeling grateful for our memories we share with our family and friends so sort them out and find a home for them.
• Move a room around - How nice is it when we rearrange furniture in a room and it feels like you've moved to a new house?! Make better use of the spaces or perhaps change your decor around. Either way it will give you a lift to see it looking fresh and new.
• Sort your cupboards and drawers - We all know how easy it is to end up with messy cupboards and drawers when we are in full life mode. I bet you even have things in them that you never use! Sort them out. Keep any bits you've sorted out in a box and put it in your loft or storage area until lockdown is over and then either donate them to charity or sell them on a selling page or car boot sale. Remember, just because it has no use for you, doesn't mean it wouldn't be useful for someone else.
• Make something and learn a new skill - There are so many YouTube videos these days about just about everything. You could learn how to make something for your home. Maybe a macrame plant holder, or crochet a blanket, hand knit clothing or upcycle furniture. The choices are endless, just type in 'make your own decor' and see what takes your fancy.
• Read a book - Lots of people take time to read books but lots of us don't. I for one find I just don't have time. Well, I say I don't have time, I do, I just always choose a different option, like watching TV! But I do love reading and I love books. I only usually read when I go on holiday. So now is the perfect time to pick up a book and visit somewhere new - books are full of people to meet and places to go!
• Do some daily exercise - Trust me, I am not a sporty person, in fact, far from it. But since last year I have been going to yoga classes just once a week and it has 100% changed my mindset and fitness. Just that one hour session a week has helped me in so many ways. And now I am taking part in Joe Wickes' daily P.E. sessions on YouTube every morning, too. You can find lots of different physical activities to do on there such as yoga, Joe Wickes sessions, zumba routines, boot camp sessions, you name it, it's there... and it's free!
• Cook or bake something new - Dig out that old cookbook you put away in your messy cupboard months ago, google easy recipes, watch some cooking programmes on catch up TV. I bet there are loads of foods you have seen and thought 'Mmmm' so what are you waiting for? You could try making a nice curry or some banana bread or maybe even some homemade burgers. Get the kids helping too. It's a good way to get them involved and learning with you and great for some quality bonding time that isn't school work.
• Take a bath - I bet if you are anything like me, baths are few and far between. I'm a shower girl, I like to be in and out, well, I don't have time to not be. But maybe now is a good time for a treat. Pour yourself a glass of bubbly or get yourself a cuppa and have a soak. Put your favourite music on, dot some battery operated tea lights around and just unwind. We deserve it!
• Savour a cup of tea - We all underestimate the power of a nice hot cuppa. Too often we are running about, thinking at 100 mph and forget we even made the bloody tea. Cold tea, bleugh! So get the kettle on, find a biccy or two (or three, what the hell) get cosy with your new crochet blanket that you made (wink wink), pick up your book (wink wink, again) and enjoy. Enjoy the peace and quiet and savour that hot drink.

I hope you find some of these ideas useful and just remember, this time is precious. So forget all the mundaneness of regular life like worrying about cleaning the shower screens and getting your washing dry, ironed and put away immediately. Yes those things are important but not that important to forget for an extra day or two. Enjoy this time to recharge your soul, appreciate the little things, be with your family and children without feeling tense and look after you, too. You got this! x