More Things to do in Lockdown

Last spring, we were put into lockdown for the first time. It was a time of home-haircuts, panic-buying and eating tinned food for weeks on end. This was when I properly started writing for Thrifty Mango to keep me occupied while cooped up in my flat and to spread positivity during a terrible time. Now- 10 months later- we’re back to square one and more fed up than ever. So, if you’re struggling for ideas for how to spend your time until the restrictions are eased, you can check out my 10 Things to Do in Self-Isolation post and find more suggestions below.

Start a diary

A diary doesn’t have to be the stereotypical cheesy, romantic ramblings of a teenager. Keeping a journal of events or just random thoughts you have can help you keep track of the days that go by and document your experiences. You could even make it public by creating a blog or posting video diaries to YouTube or Facebook. This might give you a project to keep you occupied or help you feel productive. Starting a journal of some sort will allow you to look back at it when this is all over, and in hindsight, you can say “I made it through that!” which is impressive in itself. This is- hopefully- a once in a lifetime experience. So documenting your lockdown story will be beneficial for later generations.

Try something new

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During the first lockdown in the UK, I- like most people- tried taking up baking. This led to me devouring several batches of badly-decorated cupcakes and gaining a couple of pounds. Turns out- I’m not a naturally talented baker destined to win The Great British Bake-off. However, I wouldn’t know had I not tried it. Recently, I thought I’d try something more achievable for me- embroidery. I have been sewing inconsistently for a good few years now so I was had an idea how to embroider in theory. I bought a bunch of thread and embroidery rings and started stitching. This would definitely have been a great hobby to pick up during lockdown and I will be continuing it during this one. Embroidery is especially handy as I can practice it while watching TV or listening to a podcast. There are plenty of things to take up during lockdown- drawing, painting, creative writing, knitting, gardening, etc. If there’s something you’ve been telling yourself you’ll get around to trying- why not start now?

Jigsaws

Jigsaws are super fun with or without some company to help you. It’s always a good idea to set aside an hour, throw on some music and just chill out with a good jigsaw. That is- if you enjoy jigsaws. One time, I convinced Ryan to do a jigsaw with me- we got less than halfway through before he decided he’d had enough as he got far too impatient to finish it with me. But if they are up your alley, they’re a great way to pass the time and keep your brain occupied during self-isolation. I rarely take the time to do jigsaws. But when I do, I put on a podcast and turn my phone to silent. This gives me a break from looking at screens- which I do about 80% of the time. If you find puzzles therapeutic, jigsaws might help clear your mind and deal with any anxieties you might be dealing with in lockdown.

Play video games or board games

If you are in a household with multiple people, spending time with them every now and then without any other distractions could be the perfect way to digital detox. Playing classic board games like scrabble and monopoly is a good way to pass the time with the other members of your household. Card games and certain video games are also perfect for this. Ryan and I play video games together to spend time together and have a laugh now and then. Although we live together, we rarely do things together (other than watching movies and TV shows). A lot of the video games I play and movies I watch aren’t Ryan’s cup of tea and vice versa. But every now and then we find a game we can both play together- it’s a great chance to spend some time with each other. Even if you live alone there are plenty of video games to play. Do you have an ever-growing list of video game recommendations? Now is the perfect time to make your way through it.

Practice make-up, outfit-styling or hair-styling

Now that none of us can leave the house, it’s the perfect time for us all to practice getting ready for night’s out, work outings and dates. If- like me- you struggle to blend eyeshadow without looking like a demonic panda, then you should use this time indoors to practice. Since we don’t have anywhere to go and no-one to see, nobody will see you if you mess it up. However, if you master the look- you can show it off on social media or on a Zoom call with friends. My hair is also an absolute nuisance and refuses to behave as soon as I try to tame it. So I might use this opportunity to practice styling my hair to match different outfits for different occasions. I’ve yet to master 50s hair-styles like classic victory rolls and Heidi Rolls that I can use with my many vintage and retro dresses so this is the perfect time to practice.

Support Small Businesses

Everyone has suffered at the hands of Coronavirus but small businesses have had it worse than most. Services like Deliveroo and Just Eat take a chunk of profit from the businesses they partner with. This makes it incredibly difficult for local cafes and restaurants to make money and stay open during lockdown. If you live near any, try picking up the takeaway yourself- this means all your money goes to the business and you don’t have to pay for delivery. Websites like Etsy and Depop allow small and local businesses to thrive online. So maybe consider checking some of them out if you’re looking for unique clothing or accessories. I get a lot of my jewellery and accessories from businesses on Esty and I absolutely love them. Some businesses send free goodies with each order, whether it’s a cute message thanking you for buying from them or an adorable printed sticker. You know that when you buy from a small business, you’re appreciated by the owner- something that big online names don’t manage to do.

Declutter everything

I mentioned decluttering and cleaning in my first “Things to do in Lockdown” post but didn’t go into much detail. While decluttering isn’t the most fun thing to do with our time, it might be the most responsible thing to do and our future selves will most likely thank us for it. I’ve dedicated a couple nights to tidying up my many email addresses and clearing out all the useless stuff I’ve accumulated over the years. This will help me keep the flat tidier and find a home for everything that doesn’t have a place yet. If you’re wardrobe or shoe cabinet has gotten out of hand recently, it’s a good idea to tidy them up before you get too busy to do it. A messy home leads to a messy mind. Cleaning your space might help your mental health and keep you busy during lockdown.

Have a Movie Night or Binge your latest TV Obsession

I don’t know about you but I have hundreds of TV shows and movies that everyone tells me I should watch. Usually, I say “Oh definitely!” and then continue to rewatch movies/shows I’ve already seen a million times. Now that we’re in lockdown (again), I have plenty of time to watch all the movies I haven’t seen yet and all the shows I haven’t gotten around to watching. Although this one is obvious, I still wanted to include it.

Not sure what to watch, read or play during lockdown? Don’t worry, in an upcoming blog post, I’ll be listing some of my entertainment recommendations to keep you sane during lockdown.

As we all found out last year, staying inside is harder than it sounds but please try to stay home for the sake of your loved ones. It’s a difficult time but we have to protect those around us, vulnerable or not. If that means wearing my PJs all day, every day then I’m fine with that. But I know it can be hard when you miss your family and friends. The more of us that follow the government guidelines (even if we’re fed up of them) the faster life can return back to normal- or as normal as it can be.

Thank you for reading x

Photography: Ryan Duff