Welcome to Groundhog Day part 3.
Here we go again, with seemingly endless weeks of blankly staring at our walls ahead of us. We’ve swiftly moved past what was once an opportunity to chill at home and do all of the things we wouldn’t usually get the chance to, to a point of the year where we really have done it all. Whether you’re all baked out from the first (and second) national lockdown, or pretty much completed Netflix – we’ve rounded up some new ideas that might keep you occupied this time around.
1. Take up running… Again
Ok, so it’s not new or original – but it’s the perfect opportunity to try and get back into the habit of running (or just exercise in general) now that we’re back in lockdown. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have left your workout habits long behind you since everything re-opened – so now’s our chance of redemption.
2. Make your way through IMDB’s highest-rated movies
And speaking of redemption… While we’ve got time on our hands, we may as well tick off some classics, such as Shawshank Redemption, off our movie bucket lists. Why not even work your way through the top-rated films on IMDB – guaranteeing that every watch will really be worth it?
3. Try all of the at-home DIY kits
Something that has personally helped me sail through lockdown with far less misery than expected is the new DIY kits that are all the rage right now. They’re the perfect way to experience your favourite restaurants while they remain closed, and a great excuse for an at-home date night (or just a really boujee takeaway). From vegan junk food to up-market tasting menus, there’s pretty much something for everyone.
[See also: Dishoom Has Launched Vegan Sausage Naan Kits So You Can Enjoy Them At Home]
4. Learn a new skill
Didn’t quite manage to master a new skill during the longer lockdown earlier this year? There’s still time before 2020’s out. Start with learning the basics of a new language, or try your hand at coding ready for your ‘next job in cyber’. You never know, after all.
5. Start a side hustle
There’s no denying 2020 has been the year of the side hustle, with many taking up baking and realising they could actually sell their craft. But it’s not just baking that’s profitable. Etsy is flourishing this year, with many leaning towards purchasing from small businesses and independent makers instead of the big corporate giants. If you have a knack for jewellery making or have an eye for creating gorgeous prints – now’s your time to shine.
6. Practise your culinary skills
On the topic of spending time in the kitchen, now’s a great time to work on your culinary skills – with plenty of easy dishes to try your hand at that will level up your daily pasta. Pick up a local cookery book online and recreate your favourite restaurant’s dishes, or start with the basics with Joe Wicks and Miguel Barclay’s more accessible options (with fewer ingredients than the fancy chefs!). Alternatively, learn from the pros in a live pasta cooking class or learn how to make your own pastel de natas with Fever’s online classes.
7. Re-jig your home
If you’re fed up of your surroundings or those plain white rented walls, the easiest way to improve your mood is to switch things up a little and add a few aesthetically pleasing elements to your space. Whether it’s moving the furniture around a little bit, adding some prints to the wall, or even just something as simple as buying a new house plant – you’ll need the endorphins this month any way that you can.
8. Take on a reading challenge
Reading has been one of the most popular hobbies this year, and it’s pretty easy to see why. It’s an enjoyable way of getting away from your screen for a bit – with an endless number of genres to suit everyone’s tastes. If you rarely get time to get stuck into a good story, or fancy increasing your reading speed a little so you can squeeze in more every month, set yourself a bit of a challenge to finish one book before the end of lockdown. Or, if you’re already a dedicated reader, aim to finish two or more ahead of spring.