Social distancing and being in lockdown has been hard for all of us. The lockdown has provided us with lots of time that can be hard to fill. Places and shops are gradually opening, but it will be a while before things are back to normal. In the meantime, here is my guide to staying in this summer.
In my experience, spending my time productively and doing things I enjoy has been very important – helping me stay sane.
This blog post will be your summer survival guide, a gift from me to you. I’ll be suggesting ways that you can be more creative with your time – you should have plenty to do to get you through the next few weeks!
Organisation
Having a rough schedule is important for our mental health. Think about how you can arrange your day to include time to: learn, exercise, chat to friends, and relax.
I schedule my day by putting things into blocks.
I have a relaxing morning where I practise selfcare, walk my dog and read. Then, before lunch I get to work including: preparation for my A-levels next year or writing blog posts.
In the afternoon I’ll eat, spend time with my family and help clean and tidy the house. And in the evening I’ll relax and watch a programme with my parents.
By timetabling your day, you will have more structure, less boredom, and put you back in control of your life.
Set Goals And Daily Challenges
Setting goals gives you long and short-term vision and motivation. This summer, you should focus on your goals. This will help you focus on what’s important. They help you organise your time so that you can make the most of your life.
Starting with small goals, you could wake up at a certain time on weekdays, cook one healthy meal a week, or you could go out everyday for exercise.
And working towards bigger goals such as learning a new instrument, writing a book, or studying for an exam can help you from falling into into neverending lazy days.
It’s great to set goals in different aspects of life, you can improve your mental and physical health, while giving you something to look forward to.
Pick Up A New Hobby
The list of things you can learn and do is endless! And chances are, there is at least one thing you’ve always wanted to try or be good at, but never had enough time to do, so you always pushed it aside.
Now is the perfect time to start, we have all the time in the world.
And there are all sorts of tutorials online – whether it’s learning the guitar, writing a book, baking bread, trying out a new fitness routine – providing for our every interest and supplying us with an infinite amount of inspiration. The internet is a life saver right now!
Outdoor Activities
Going outside is probably my favourite activity of the day! Go for a walk, have a picnic, shoot basketball hoops, kick a football around the back garden, or read a book.
I enjoy walking my dog in the mornings, going for jogs around the fields, and going for weekly bike rides with my friend.
Top 10 Netflix Shows to Binge (No Particular Order)
Being stuck at home gives you the perfect excuse to invest in a new show. Here are some great Netflix suggestions:
Never Have I Ever, Sex Education, Riverdale, Stranger Things, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, American Vandal, The Vampire Diaries, Atypical, Anne With An E and lastly, Outerbanks.
Summer Reading Guide
My favourite reads this season have been:
- ‘Deeplight’ by Frances Hardinge,
- ‘Feminists Don’t Wear Pink and Other Lies’ by Scarlett Curtis,
- ‘Wilder Girls’ by Rory Power,
- ‘The Bone Sparrow’ by Zana Fraillon, and
- ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak.
- ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens
(All FANTASTIC reads! You can find short reviews on my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rubysbookblog/ )
Covid-19 Themed Tiktoks
Here are some fantastic Covid-19 themed tiktoks to keep you entertained and make your day a little more light-hearted.
- COVID-19 is killing me (Britney Spears ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ remake)
- Parents interrupting online learning
- Coronatime, Class of 2020 graduation
- Cleaning the shelves
- Quarantine be like…
- When Will My Life Begin
- Quarantine cuts
- Lockdown Life
Invest In Your Skincare Routine
Even though it isn’t that often that we see many people like most of us are used to, it’s still just as important to keep your skin healthy and fresh. Use this opportunity to fight acne and other skin imperfections and find what products work best for you!
Exercise
Above all, exercise provides us with so many benefits! I try to exercise at least once everyday and it makes me feel so much happier.
It’s recommended that teenagers should spend at least an hour a day exercising. With this in mind, some of the things I do are…
Follow along with fitness Youtubers such as: MadFit, Blogilates or Joe Wikes. As I mentioned before, I go on long weekly bike rides, and go on daily jogs/walks with my dog. Or sometimes I just do some morning yoga.
I hope this summer survival guide helps and inspires you to be creative with your time!
Ruby ♡
