The temptation might be to scroll through your favourite shopping sites and buy things to give yourself a little boost as the delivery driver knocks on your door, but before you do- stop and think. Will this really bring you lasting happiness? In a word- no.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
If you’re looking to live a more meaningful life this year and lockdown, why not take a leaf from a minimalist’s book and seek pleasure in the simple things in life? They are bound to leave you more sustained than a package containing a meaningless purchase. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started…
Bubble baths: Nothing says ‘relax’ like a hot, sweet smelling bath. So if you get overwhelmed by the barrage of negative news, leave your phone in the bedroom, run yourself a big bubbly bath and lock all the troubles outside for an hour. If you have a large family, this might be the only time you get to yourself so make the most of it! Or if you want to rekindle the romance between you and your partner- take one together.
Reading: Transporting yourself to another world might just be the ticket in the current circumstances. So if you have a pile of books on your bedside table or a load stored on your Kindle- take the opportunity to dive into someone else’s story for a while. And remember to share any books you love with other keen reader friends and leave a review for the author- they love it when you do that! If you have children- read with them and visit a new place together!
Boxsets and movies: While you may have done this a lot on the first and second lockdowns, there are new things to watch being added to your usual streaming platforms all the time. Check out what is new and see if anything takes your fancy. Escapism is key to getting through as most of us learned the last time so find your next Tiger King. Movie nights are a great way to bond with the people you live with, so crack open a bag of popcorn and some fizzy pop and go all out for the sorely missed cinema experience!
Winter walks: This is the perfect time of year to wrap up warm and take a brisk walk in your crisp coated surroundings and if you’re lucky, you might just get a light dusting of snow! Something for all the family to do together, young or old and walking always encourages conversation so if your folks aren't talking much- this is a sure fire way to get the chatter started.
Writing and journaling: If you are more of a writer than a reader, the humble notebook could be your best friend. If you are not content with the world as it is, why not write one where you are in total control of the goings on inside? Or if you find it hard to verbalise how you feel about the ever changing world we live in at present, you could always write your feelings down to help you make sense of it all in the form of a poem or diary.
Cooking: Even if it’s a simple dish, it’s not the complexity but the process of cooking something- anything- that really matters. So take your time with preparing ingredients and avoid foods that require no preparation at all as this won’t leave you with a sense of satisfaction at the end. Plus, these foods tend to be the ones that provide very little nourishment for you and your family so a little effort will offer big rewards. If you can, cook with your partner, sibling or child and make a memory together.
Decluttering: A true minimalist way to spend time is to pay attention to your space and make it as joyful as possible. So if yours is getting a little overwhelmed with stuff, why not make this lockdown the one where you simplify down to just the things you love and use? Ideal if you are not fond of the cold weather and have ticked all the other boxes. If you can get other people under your roof to join in- even better!
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