Has Lockdown got you feeling bleh? Are the days passing all merging into one? Is Netflix or TikTok your most used app? Do you have the song “cause I’m bored in the house and I’m in the house bored” going through your mind daily?
That’s definitely true for me. Saturdays don’t even feel special anymore and I can’t remember the feeling of a Monday anymore. BUT I have found a few hacks to put some routine and value into my days that also help take me off social media and Netflix.
Top 5 Lockdown hacks
Check in with loved ones
Lockdown can become very isolating and lonely. I highly recommend taking time out to chat and spend time with loved ones over different platforms.
I make it a habit of mine to either do a phone call or a FaceTime call with a friend at least once a week. I regularly go through my contacts and send a friend who I haven’t spoken to in a while a message and have a catch up. My family do a Zoom call with our other family members once every week or so to check in with each other. Netflix Watch Party is another amazing tool. Schedule a movie date with someone and watch together. Phone your grandparents. Send that friend who you haven’t spoken to in a while a simple “I’ve been thinking about you. How are you?”. I know when I get random messages like that it makes my day.
It doesn’t have to be a constant thing. We are all dealing in different ways and some people are struggling to be on their phones a lot. So just every now and then check in with those you love. It will make their day and your day, I promise. Even if it is just a funny video or something that you know will make them smile.
Colouring in
This is honestly the best ‘hack’ I can give you. I bought a pdf colouring in book (from Emma Carey – @emcareydesigns on insta) and it has been the best thing ever. I went the pdf route because I can print and then colour in the same page as many times as I want, and you get the book instantly instead of waiting for shipping and delivery. There are also loads of free downloadable templates on Pinterest to use. If you are near shops though most book stores have some great colouring in books.
Colouring in is the most relaxing activity. Colouring in helps with easing anxiety and stress – which is very important nowadays. I put my favourite music on and just sit and colour. It calms me down, inspires me and also allows me a few hours of just being still. My mind switches off and I just focus on the picture in front of me.
Baking/cooking
Now this might not be for everyone, but I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to practise my baking skills more. Whether it be choc chip cookies (recipe coming soon), muffins or cakes – I have just spent time trying random recipes out. Some have worked, some haven’t. Discovering new recipes and giving them a try has been such an outlet for me. Baking has been such a fun learning activity and the results are so tasty (even if sometimes they don’t look right).
So why not get stuck in the kitchen and try out new recipes? Try baking that cake you never had time to before. Make that dinner that you have always wanted to. Even if it flops, you still tried and most of the time, it still tastes good.
Reading
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t had the time to read in ages. Lockdown came along and for the first time in three years, I had the desire to read again. I had the desire to get lost in the fictional world of the pages I was reading. I was a little too excited because I read 10 books in about 8 days (granted it was one of my favourite book series). I found it helped me switch off from technology. My screen time had gone up so much that reading provided me a good reason to put my phone down and spend a few hours in another world. It has been such a relaxing and a much-needed break.
I know reading isn’t for everyone, but it doesn’t have the be the conventional fictional book. Read a biography of someone you admire, read a cooking book, read a self-help book or read an educational book on social issues facing our society today. It is never too late to educate and better yourself with knowledge.
journaling/devotions
I cannot stress how important it is to take stock of where you are mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I know the whole “gratitude journaling” trend is everywhere right now, and some of you may not be the journaling type (neither am I, don’t worry). But just taking the time everyday and writing down 5 things I am grateful for and 5 things I want to improve on for myself helps me feel so much better. It helps me declutter my thoughts and unscramble my feelings. It also helps bring positivity into a time where negativity seems to be everywhere. It doesn’t have to be a fancy journal entry where you write down all your feelings (you can if you want) but I find by keeping it simple, I actually enjoy the whole process.
For me, personally, daily devotions has been my saving grace. Pastor George at Fathers House Church in PE does an amazing daily devotions series every week day at 10 am and its only 10 minutes. I always start my day with devotions. I find by doing this, I dedicate the day to God and by spending time in His word before I do anything else, gives me an inner peace. It has been so important for me to ensure that I grow spiritually in this time. The Bible App also has great devotional reading plans.
Remember nourishing your mind and soul is just as important as nourishing your body.
take the time
I hope these ‘hacks’ help make lockdown a little bit better for you. We can’t change the situation we are all in right now, but we can improve it for ourselves. Take time to do what makes you happy. Take time to check in with yourself. Take time to check in with loved ones. Take time to be in a moment where your focus is not on the outside world. Try new things. See this time as an opportunity to do things your heart has always wanted to do.
Stay safe and stay happy.
All the love, Jay
PS. What are some hobbies/activities you have picked up during lockdown that you find helpful? Share them in the comments.
Just Jay 