Lockdown 2021 Update

I mentioned in my last post that I had compiled a list of things to do during the first lockdown to keep myself occupied, and how I intended to create one for this current lockdown.  Having done one already I was struggling to think of what to include but finally came up with a list.  Some of the things were on my first list that I knew I could do again plus I added in a few new ones too.  

The latest list consists of:

~ Create a 2020 photo book.

I really enjoyed putting this together.  Being able to see everything that I was able to achieve during such a bizarre year.  It's a year that will be talked about for years to come and I didn't want to forget the little things that made the year what it was for me.  I put this book together with Snapfish.   

~ Clear through my wardrobe.

I did this during the first lockdown.  I knew there was more I could get rid of.  I had lost quite a bit of weight and was unsure whether I'd put it back on.  After a year, I think it's safe to say that it is staying off for the time being, so the clothes can go.  Besides we're not exactly going many places to wear most of it anyway plus I do feel that my taste has changed in this time.  And I can't help but find having a clear out so therapeutic.

~ Watch a new TV series.

I'd heard a lot about The Queens Gambit on Netflix so decided to give it a go.  I loved it and am even more pleased that one of my goals for 2021 is to lean how to play chess.  It's something I've wanted to learn for a few years now so I'm hoping my boyfriend will be able to teach me.

~ Read a book.

I've actually read 4 and am already on book number 5.  I didn't read that much last year but hope to change that this year.  I have been logging my reading progress on my Goodreads account if you're interested.

~ Complete a jigsaw puzzle.

This is one of those things that I enjoy doing but rarely ever do.  I've already done two and have plans to order another from Liberty's after completing this one of theirs already, which I loved.

~ Finish a craft project.

I bought this kit a good few years ago.  I started it by stitching out the wording in the centre and then it sat untouched, until now.  I managed to get this on finished pretty quickly and I loved doing it, plus it has turned out even better than I imagined it would.  I definitely feel as though my creative mojo is returning and I am so here for it.

~ Begin a new challenge.

I was unsure what this was going to be but after finishing my cross stitch kit I've been thinking about trying a much bigger project, and something I've not tried before so watch this space, mind you it's going to be a long project so it may be some time before you see anything.  

~ Grab a takeaway from an independent coffee shop I've never visited before.

I've seriously missed eating out.  I've also seen a lot of business struggle during these lockdowns, so this one for me feels like something that I can benefit from, as well as supporting a small business.  I've returned back to a favourite spot already, Fete Graysyard in Chelmsford.  But have also been to Brunch and Bottle in Billericay, a new place that has just opened.  I have my eye on a few other places I'd like to try out too.

~ Do some baking.

I rarely bake but I've had an urge lately.  So Pumpkin Pie it was and it was delicious.  I'm now thinking about baking some Easter themed treats soon. 

 

~ Create a date night at home.

Not being able to go out has been tough, but that shouldn't mean that we can't still enjoy date nights.  It just means we have to be a little more inventive.  I've been able to arrange a few things at home already such as doughnut decorating, treat boards and takeaways plus this cute set up for Valentines Day.  If anyone can suggest some other ideas I'd be really grateful. 

Being able to cross near enough all of these off my list already has been great.  It is definitely keeping me occupied, but already I'm thinking of what else I could add to it, as it's still going to be a little while before things return back to some form of normality pre 2020.  I feel really lucky that I can look back on 2020 and all the fun things I was able to achieve, considering the majority of it was spent in lockdown.  I'm already getting the feeling that this year is going to be much the same in terms of restrictions, even after the announcement of no restrictions past 21st June, somehow I can't see it happening, hopefully I'm wrong.  Either way I am determined not let the year go to waste.  

What have you been doing to keep yourself from going stir crazy during lockdown?

~ Gem x

Coping With Lockdown

I will be honest, I still cannot get my head around everything that is going on in the world right now.  And I still don't believe everything that we are being told by the media and our government, but I'm not going to get into all of that here.  Being in lockdown is something I could never have contemplated having to face before.  Now it feels more normal than not, as here in the UK we are experiencing our third lockdown since this whole pandemic started.

I am pissed off.  I am tired.  I am angry.  I had my ups and downs during the first lockdown.  The second didn't really phase me at all.  But this third one is really getting to me.  Every.  Little. Thing. is irritating me, and I don't know how to shake it.  I hate that every aspect of life right now has to be planned like a military operation, and this is coming from someone who loves to plan things.   I would love so much to go to the cinema, to go out to dinner with friends and family, to go play a round of adventure golf, but we can't do any of that, nor does it look like we'll be able to any time soon.

I'm not really someone that can sit around and do nothing for very long.  I like to have things to occupy myself.  I can happily sit in front of the TV and watch a few films or episodes of a good series, but after a couple of days cabin fever begins to kick in and I get irritable.  Going into the first lockdown I created a list of things I wanted to do.  Some of them were things I'd put off for a couple of years, others were silly little jobs I'd just not yet got round to, plus I added in a few things just for fun because let's face it, we could all do with a it of fun during these trying times.  For me I find it good to have a target, something to aim towards and this really helped me get through the first lockdown.  I didn't really bother with one for the second lockdown.  Being right before Christmas my mind was focussed on preparing for that.  Writing out my Christmas cards, preparing gifts for my loved ones, watching all the classic Christmas movies etc.  I'm feeling like I could really do with a list right now, which I am working on compiling, only trouble is I am struggling to find things to add to it as I completed so much first time around.

My first list consisted of:

~ Organise Pinterest Boards.

~ Finish Disneyland Paris Trip Scrapbook.

~ Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle.

~ Get Creative, Do Some Crafts.

~ Go Through Photos.

~ Read A Book.

~ Listen to my favourite songs.

~ Facetime Friends.

~ Clear Out Wardrobe.

~ Watch A TV Series on Netflix.

~ Go Through Emails.

~ Re-Pot House Plants.

Some of these things I can add to my new list, plus I'm sure I'll come up with a couple of new things too.  Is there anything that you have been doing to help make the lockdown more bearable? I'd love to hear about it if you've found something to pass the time.

~ Gem x 

  

Goals For 2021

I gave up setting myself new year resolutions a long time ago.  I'd always set them at the start of the year, full of determination to fulfil them by the end of December, only for them to be forgotten about by around March time.  I moved on to having a word for the year instead, feeling this was far more positive and beneficial, but again it fell by the wayside sooner than I'd hoped for.  I like the idea of them though, so after giving it some thought and looking at how well I seem to do with my 30 before 30 and 40 before 40 lists, I have decided this year to set myself a list of goals I'd like to achieve. To some this may seem the same as resolutions, maybe it's all in the mindset, who knows but I'm going to give it a try.

1. Watch the Star Wars films ~ Mainly because the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Walt Disney World looks incredible and I want to be able to appreciate and understand it fully when I eventually get there. 

2. Cross off at least one thing from my 40 Before 40 list and London List ~ Last year meant that not very much was crossed off either list, hopefully that will change this year.

3. Learn how to play chess ~ I have always been intrigued by this game and have been wanting to learn how to play for a couple of years now. 

4. Get a new tattoo ~ My last one was in 2016, I'd wanted to get one for my 30th so it's way overdue.

5. Live in the moment ~ If it's one thing that I learnt from 2020 it's that nothing is guaranteed.  We can make plans but in an instant they can be squashed, so be more spontaneous and live each day as it comes. 

Nothing too major or daunting but definitely achievable. 

I love hearing about other peoples new year resolutions or goals so feel free to share them with me if you have set any for this year.

~ Gem x

2020 Year In Review

When I wrote my first year in review post 6 years ago, I had no idea that it would become an almost yearly tradition, but also the one post each year that I really enjoy creating.  I find it so refreshing looking back at everything I have done over the year, and now that I can look over multiple years it just makes it all the better.  Although it does go to show how quickly the years are passing by, some of the things I've done only feel like they were yesterday.

 

I never got around to publishing one of these posts for 2019 which I'm a little gutted about now, but I'm back and ready to share 2020.  Yes, to many 2020 may have felt like a bit of a nothing year, but I feel like I've still made the most of it.  Here is what I got up to.

 

January

 I started off the year with a short break to Bristol.  Somewhere I've never visited before, but also a trip I would later in the year become grateful for as it was one of the few times I was able to travel away from home in 2020.  I loved exploring the hometown of Banksy and seeing all the street art around the city.  I tried my hand at axe throwing, lets just say I can't wait to try that again, it was great fun.  I walked across the Clifton suspension bridge, an amazing piece of engineering.  And a highlight was driving through Cheddar Gorge, something I was pleased to cross off my 40 Before 40 list.  January also saw a trip to the seaside for a walk long the seafront, perfect for a wintery day.  Breakfast at Bills, one of my favourites and a couple of shopping trips to Lakeside.

 

February

A girl’s night out for my friend Irina's birthday, both the first and the last in a very long time.  We enjoyed a gorgeous Chinese feast at a great restaurant in Chelmsford, Zenxi.  I'm looking forward to return once things get back to some form of normality.  I enjoyed seeing the snowdrops appear outside my little home, a true sign that spring is not far away.  We also celebrated my aunt's 60th Birthday, a lovely opportunity to spend some time with family.

 

March

 The month I moved back in with my parents.  An opportunity for me to save and figure life out.  Little did I know that lockdown would give me plenty of time for that.  Thankfully a night in with Leigh, a dear friend of mine watching Netflix with an Indian takeaway was enjoyed before going into national lockdown.  I said goodbye to my desk in my office at work and started working from home.  A puzzle was started with my parents, not done that in so many years.  A couple of small craft projects were completed.  Lots of organising was done and a good ole clear out was started, complete with a nice bonfire.  So therapeutic.

 

April

I settled into life working from home.  The Netflix and Disney+ binging began, watching the entire season 2 of You, and season 3 of 13 Reasons Why.  I started watching the Marvel films in chronological order virtually with Leigh.  The clear out and organising continued and some chilled out time was enjoyed.

 

May

 The Marvel marathon continued.  We celebrated VE Day by having a street party with our neighbours.  I discovered Fete a vintage coffee van a couple of roads away from my parents, which became a regular spot to visit.  It was great to get a decent coffee and support a small, local business.  I picnicked in the park with Iri as we enjoyed the sunshine.  I honestly felt so grateful for the beautiful weather we were blessed with.  I can't imagine how much harder things would have been had the weather not been so kind to us.

 

June

June felt like quite a social month even though I continued to work from home.  I met some colleagues in the park for a Five Guys takeaway.  Walks were enjoyed with Leigh, which included coffee dates and a visit to a beautiful field filled with sweet peas.  I enjoyed my first Starbucks since the start of lockdown, this did involve a fair old drive to get there but it was so worth it.  We also welcomed some new members to our household after discovering hedgehogs visiting our garden each night.  It was so lovely to see them each evening as they popped in for their dinner.

 

July

July was a month filled with lots of adventures, I could almost have forgotten there was a global pandemic sweeping the earth.  I celebrated my birthday which was made extra special by Leigh who treated me to a drive in movie to watch Birds of Prey, a film I had wanted to catch at the cinema when it came out but missed.  He also treated me to a day out at Thorpe Park.  It felt so good to be doing normal things again, it made me realise how much I had missed doing such simple things that ordinarily I'd have taken for granted.  I took a trip to Hitchin Lavender farm with Iri, that is a place I don't think I'll ever tire of visiting.  We packed up a picnic with us to enjoy while we were there which was perfect for a beautiful summers day surrounded by lavender fields. I ate out in an actual restaurant, we celebrated this with ice cream of course.  And my brother and sister in law bought a puppy, so we had lots of fun welcoming her into the family.

August

My trips to Fete coffee van continued, their bio-degradable coffee cups are just the cutest. I had my first evening of puppy sitting, I took my auntie duties seriously as we settled down to watch Netflix.  Chilled out evenings at home were enjoyed with lots of candles.  We experienced a couple of thunderstorms which gave me all the autumnal feels.  I ended the month with a drive up to West Yorkshire to stay with one of my cousins and her husband for the bank holiday weekend.  We enjoyed a beautiful walk with their dog and just an all-round good weekend filled with good company and lots of laughs, it was so nice to be surrounded by different scenery for a change.

 

September

September took an exciting turn, as I started dating someone.  We visited the Gaia exhibition in Greenwich and ate brunch at Grind, a really cute place I'd seen and wanted to try out, it didn't disappoint.  Home cooked dinners were enjoyed al fresco, made lovingly by Irina.  More time was spent with my brother and sister-in-law, we took a walk around Epping Forest.  I visited my first Pumpkin Patch of the year, Leigh had never been before so it was only right that I showed him how it is done as we ran around the patch in Colchester owned by Foxes Farm Produce (what are best friends for?).  And I FINALLY got to taste my first Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte of the year, better late than never guys.

 

October

 The month of all things pumpkin.  I visited a new pumpkin patch this year, The Pumpkin Village located in South Woodham Ferrers at Marsh Farm in Essex.  They had so many great spots for photo opportunities, perfect for those Instagram-able shots.  A day spent in Leigh-On-Sea with Irina. We stopped for lunch in a cute little tea room and sat outside on their terrace to enjoy the sunshine.  Went for a nice walk around Hanningfield Reservoir, can't beat an autumnal walk among all the crunchy leaves.  And of course October wouldn't be complete without pumpkin carving.  We made ourselves a little autumn themed feast, put Hocus Pocus on and set to work carving our masterpieces.  I loved Irina's Jack Skellington creation, I went for something simple this year and just soaked up the moment.

 

November

I clung to pumpkin season during November, I wasn't quite ready to let it go, especially as we headed into a second lockdown.  I baked Pumpkin muffins and enjoyed hot chocolates in my favourite mug topped with pumpkin marshmallows and sprinkles while watching Get Out and Us (I've never been one for scary movies but wanted to give these two a go, no idea why I'd put off watching them till now, they weren't even scary).  Just before heading into lockdown I finally got to visit Fete at Graysyard, the little coffee van that saved me during lockdown opened up their own little coffee shop and I'm so here for it.  We ventured out for a gorgeous walk in the South Downs through the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, the view from the top of the hill was amazing.  The winter weather really set in during November, but I wasn't complaining, driving past the reservoir on the way to work and seeing the mist rising, a moment of pure tranquillity.

 

December

The final month of 2020 and time to get festive af.  Definitely a different December to what we are used to, there were no dinners out or Christmas parties, we had to make the best with what we could do.  We watched Home Alone at the drive in cinema.  Spent an afternoon in London checking out all the Christmas lights, it seemed so strange seeing the city so empty compared to how it would usually be, especially around this time of year.  Festive films were watched from home with all the snacks and cute chocolate reindeer drinks.  I rocked the Christmas jumpers, has to be done through December right.  And the year was finished off at home, pretty much how a lot of the year was spent, with my best creation yet with an epic grazing board and cocktails.  I will definitely be making more of these boards in 2021. 

In a year that seemed pretty bleak I'm so thankful to have been able to find lots of moments of joy and happiness.  It is a year that has allowed me to heal and find myself once again.  It wasn't without its low points.  A lot of tears were cried and here were moments of sheer despair but it is all part of the journey and a part of my story.

~ Gem x