Lockdown: Week 1

Hello world! It's been a while hasn't it? Unfortunately there hasn't been anything very exciting to report or write about in the last couple of months. A lot of job applications, a lot of crocheting and not a lot of music. But now we are in a weird place in time. Everything has stopped. We have been asked to stay home as much as possible, to only go out when necessary or a daily bit of exercise. Schools are closed, the non-essential shops are closed and yes even McDonald's is closed.

It has been just over a week of 'lockdown' and I am wondering how everyone is coping? Some may be grateful for this time to slow down and focus on new challenges while others may be feeling a little lost without their routine. I've have to admit I have found it not too bad thus far, though it has only been a week but I thought I would share some of the activities I have been up to in an attempt to keep myself occupied and not thinking about things too much.

1.Jigsaws

All my life I have enjoyed doing a jigsaw. There's just something so satisfying about putting in that last piece and seeing the whole picture that makes it all worth while.

2. Colouring

If you're looking for something that requires little to no brain power then this is the activity for you. All you need is some colouring pencils/pens and a colouring book. If you don't have a colouring book then no worries! As long as you have some paper to hand you can create your own pattern to colour by drawing some random lines and squiggles on the page just like the picture below! The possibilities are endless...

3. Reading

I have always been a sucker for a good book. While reading isn't something I have started doing just while on lockdown, I have found that reading before going to sleep is helping me fall asleep faster. This is probably because I am still thinking about the story rather than just laying awake worrying about whats going on. I have been reading so much lately that I have even gotten four books ahead of my reading challenge on Goodreads! If you want to try reading but not sure what book to start with why not try this quiz out to see what would suit you best!

4. Crafting

So as you know from a previous blog posts the craft I am into the most is crocheting. In this last week I have made a baby lovey, a baby blanket, a toy turtle, a rainbow to hang in my window and I am halfway through another baby blanket. It's a good job I have a good wool stash otherwise I would be struggling. But I have plans to do other crafts too. I have a candle-making kit from Christmas to get stuck into, I want to try out some sewing and I would like to learn to knit. If you're not into those crafts there's plenty of things you can try, you've got the time, why not learn a new craft? If you have kids then a fellow blogger, A Girl and a Glue Gun, is running a craft camp online. There's lots of different things to try to keep the kids entertained and to learn about the colour wheel.

5. Cooking/baking

I love to bake. It's as simple as that. Who doesn't love making a cake or some biscuits. Since we can't be going to the shops unnecessarily i.e. to get some biscuits just because I fancy them, baking is the perfect remedy. Not only do you get lovely treats at the end but you also burn some of your time making them, killing two birds with one stone. If you don't feel like a very acomplished baker then go get some kits from the shop where you just have to add eggs and milk, it will taste just as good and you will have less stress in making it. Something I have

discovered... Make your own pizza dough. I bought a little packet from Jack's, all you have to do is add warm water and knead and you have delicious pizza dough. It might be a little bit of a cheat but I love it so why does it matter? I'm sure you have a recipe that you've always wanted to try and make, why not do it now while you have the time?

Well there we have it. Some of the things I've been up to to combat the weirdness and anxiety of this lockdown. The Virus may have brought us inside for the foreseeable but it will not bring us down!

Let me know if you try any of these and what you've been getting up to!

Let me know if you give any of these a go or if you have any other activities that have been keeping you