Photo from my Instagram

It feels like a bit of a weird time to chat about ‘happy’ things, doesn’t it? So instead, I’m going to focus this post on the things that are bringing me light in this time of darkness. The things that comfort me, give me hope, keep my mind occupied and make me feel a little bit more positive than I did before. I love the Dumbledore quote ‘Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one remembers to turn on the light’. It feels very apt right now, but obviously I’m very aware that I’m currently not going through the same journey that other people may be.

#1 DISTRACTIONS

Because when I’m trying not to check the news every hour, I need to keep myself as distracted as possible. Netflix (I’m watching Dirty John & Too Hot Too Handle at the moment!), podcast episodes, Youtube, and Instagram is helping take my mind off what’s going on at the moment. I know it’s very important to be aware what’s happening right now, but sometimes it can be a little too much when you’re refreshing the BBC app 18 times a day.

#2 THE WEATHER WE HAD

Granted this week is set to be very grey and rainy, but my goodness wasn’t that sunshine quite something? I know for sure that when yesterdays weather rolled around, I felt a bit worried about if it would change my coping skills. Thankfully that hasn’t seemed to happen, and I’m actually relishing cosying up at home a bit.

#3 BAKING

I’m not sure I’ve ever baked so much since we’ve been in lockdown, but it does pass an hour in the afternoons, and it means I get homemade snacks for the rest of the week! So far I’ve made two sets of cookies, banana bread, flapjack, and next up I want to make some muffins I think! I’m not the best cook (I actually hate cooking) but I do find baking quite therapeutic, although to be honest the end goal always motivates me the most.

#4 CONNECTION

Instagram seems a busier place than ever, and I do quite like that. I feel like I’m connecting with the community on there now more than ever. We’ve been having weekly quizzes on Zoom and they’ve also been a massive highlight, I am quite competitive it has to be said. Facetiming my nephew every day is bringing me such joy, even though I’m missing him so so much. I’m also really enjoying watching everyones videos on IGTV and Instagram lives.

#5 SMALL JOYS

Morning cups of tea, reading a chapter of a book in bed, ice-cream, hot baths, seeing the blossom outside, magazines, being still able to go for a run, a stretchy yoga session, ringing my grandma. All of these things keep me feeling topped up.

What’s bringing you some light these days?

Photo from my Instagram

I think spending what will be, 6 weeks minimum in lockdown will have an effect on us all at some point, won’t it? I know for sure it’s made me realise quite a few things, whether that’s personality traits that I have, things I used to do before all this happened. I really don’t want this to come off across as like lockdown has to teach us anything, or come across like I’m one of those super productive beings who never has had down days during this, because that’s definitely not true. I’m feeling such a range of emotions every single day, as I know you are too. Anyway that being said, I wanted to reflect on a few things I’ve realised since this all started.

home is still my happy place

Even though we’re spending so much more time at home now than ever before, I still love being at home. I’ve always been a homebody, but I do like to go out and about everyday, because lets be honest, it makes coming home even better. I can tend to get a bit stir crazy spending too much time at home, so I’ve been keeping myself occupied by doing lots of baking, painting, yoga etc. which definitely helps.

we are all the same

I know some of us are in different situations to others (a massive shout-out to any key workers out there who are on the front-line) but one thing this pandemic has made me realise is that we are all exactly the same. Everyone going outside their houses for the 8pm #clapforcarers every Thursday just really gives me a great sense of community, and reminds me that we are all trying our best right now, and hoping for the best outcome possible.

slowing down can be a good thing

Now that we’ve been at home for the last few weeks, it’s definitely made me slow down more, as I’m sure it maybe has for you too. To be quite honest, I’ve enjoyed not feeling rushed about making sure weekends are packed with activities, and just having a slow morning spend pottering around at home instead. Running around trying to achieve everything in one day suddenly doesn’t happen anymore, and it’s kind of nice in a way. When this is all over, that’s something I want to really remember and try to keep going when I’m able to.

Has this lockdown made you realise anything?

Photo from my Instagram

Since we are a good few weeks into self-isolating, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon, I thought I’d compile a big list of my favourite shows/books/podcasts/hobbies that you can dip in and out of, and come back to this post if you need some inspiration or you’re feeling a bit ‘meh’. All of these things are proving to me such a great distraction to me right now, especially because the news is so tough to see at the moment. I think reading a few chapters of a good book before bed, or enjoying a cup of tea sat outside whilst listening to a podcast are all things that can add small joys into our days, and we need them more than ever right now. So, lets go..

TV SHOWS

• You (Both seasons on Netflix)
• Love is Blind (Netflix)
• Jane The Virgin (All seasons on Netflix)
• Grace & Frankie (Netflix)
• Workin’ Moms (Netflix)
• Marvellous Mrs Maisel (Amazon prime)
• Race Across The World (BBC)
• The Nest (BBC)
• The Split (BBC)
• Taylor Swift: Miss Americana (Netflix)
• The Stranger (Netflix)
• The Crown (Netflix)
• Locke & Key (Netflix)
• Narcos (Netflix)
• The Circle (Channel 4)
• Gogglebox (Channel 4)

BOOKS

• Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
• Small Great Things
• Daisy Jones & The Six
• The Giver of Stars
• An American Marriage
• Eve of Man
• Vox
• So Lucky
• The Cows
• The Girl He Used To Know
• The Light We Lost
• In Five Years
• Mixtape
• The Jetsetters
• The House We Grew Up In

PODCASTS

• Sh*gged Married Annoyed by Rosie & Chris Ramsay
• One Step by Ingrid Nilsen
• Yoga Girl Podcast
• Happy Place by Fearne Cotton
• The Fringe of It By Charlotte Jacklin & Liv Purvis
• Deliciously Ella Podcast
• Things You Can’t Ask Yer Mum By Lindsey Holland and Lizzy Hadfield
• Get Your Glow Back by Madeleine Shaw
• What I Know Now by Amelia Liana
• Talking Tastebuds by Venetia LaManna
• Hashtag Authentic by Sara Tasker
• How To Fail by Elizabeth Day

10 (more) THINGS TO DO IN SELF-ISOLATION:

1. Exercise. Whether that’s on your daily walk or at home, it honestly will make you feel so much better.
2. Start a craft project. I’ve got a scarf knit-kit that I’m really looking forward to do!
3. Bake something tasty. I’ve made banana bread, easter nests and cookies so far.
4. Declutter and re-organise your home. Don’t forget to pop on a good playlist!
5. Create. Whether that’s writing a blog post or an Instagram picture.
6. Facetime a loved one. Always a highlight of my day.
7. Have a movie night. Re-watch one of your favourites for ultimate cosy vibes.
8. Give yourself a pamper. Hair wash, face mask, manicure- the lot!
9. Switch up your social media. Have a look at who you’re following and maybe find some new accounts.
10. Make something for somebody else. Whether that’s a care package or posting a book to a loved one, it’s so nice to do.

How are you doing in self-isolation right now?

Photo from my Instagram

For the last few months, I’ve been compling a list of my ’30 things before 30′ on the notes app on my iPhone. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know I love goal setting, and to be honest, I just really like the idea of setting a certain amount of goals before turning 30, which I’ve always thought of as such a pivotal age. Maybe I’ll get there and not care one bit about any of these things, but I’m using it as a fun challenge. Plus, some of the goals on there are just dream life stuff, that will never happen but I’m manifesting anyway (i.e meet taylor swift, travel first class etc!) This week I turn 27, so I thought I would give myself a focus of 7 things on my list this year.

Run a 10k race
This one I should be doing in July, but we’re not too sure whether it will still be going ahead. I did run my first 10k the last week though, so I have done it and that feels so good to say. I do want to do an ‘official’ race though, because you get a medal and I’ve never had one of those before, lame but true! I would love to start doing a couple of 10k races within the next year.

Get a second ear piercing
I was supposed to do this a few months ago but I was ill when we had arranged it, and then we had it planned but the UK went on lockdown. This should be a pretty easy goal, but I am a massive fainter, and really weak stomached, so it does have potential to become an ordeal!

Hit 10,000 Instagram followers
This definitely won’t happen I don’t think, but it’s good to aim high! Obviously I know that numbers are not the be all and end all, but theres just something about that number isn’t there? I’m really proud of the stuff I’m putting out on my feed though, and I know that’s the most important thing.

Have pink hair
Again, not a totally serious one, but I’ve seriously wanted pink hair for years! I’m not talking full on pastel, just little strands of pink with my blonde hair would look so cool. I want to get one of those semi-permanent ones that fade after a few washes for summer.

Re-read my favourite book, Eat Pray Love.
I haven’t read it since the first time I did when I was 17, and it was a real life-changing book for me. I was really intruiged about things the book covers, like self-love and meditation, and I can clearly remember being so hooked into this story. I hope it still feels as good reading it ten years later.

Master crow pose
I swear I’ve been trying to do this yoga pose on and off for about 5 years, but I basically have really bad arm strength, so it’s never quite happened. This year is the year!

Read 100 books in a year
This is quite a lofty goal, last year I read 66 books. I’m currently on my 28th book of the year, and we’re four months in, so maybe I can do it. We’ll see, I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself.

Do you have a 30 before 30 list? I’d love to hear about it!