It’s the second full week of lockdown 2.0 and I don’t know about you, but I feel like everybody is losing their shit. And not in that really great, fun way where something really amazing happens and we practically explode with joy and hug and kiss each other with tremendous vigour.
I’ve spoken to so many people who are struggling right now. With the dark nights and the dreary weather, things are feeling a little different this time around. So many people (including myself) have reported feeling fine the first time (well – as fine as one can be in a global pandemic), but are really struggling in this one. I’ve spoken to people who are despairing, and I don’t mean to sound grave, but there’s an alarming rate of suicides around where I live at the moment. Things are feeling really bleak.
The question on everybody’s lips right now is what the hell is going to happen two weeks today? Will Bozza extend lockdown? Will we be told to ‘eat out to help out’ for the month of December before being told we’re all responsible for a third wave of the virus and put back into lockdown in January? And the one everybody wants to know, what about Christmas?! Can we celebrate with our families? Who knows (Bozza probably does!) – only time will tell.
I’ve been forcing myself to get out of my house for longer walks this week, and it’s actually making me feel a little brighter. I’ve been taking the dog for 1 hour+ walks each morning before I start my day, and I even pushed myself out for a run this morning. I’ve been feeling sluggish and demotivated, but the fact that I no longer fit into any of my clothes because I like to eat my feelings was the final straw to push me into losing some weight before Christmas.
I’ve got some good stuff to share this week that have kept me going through these dark and miserable times (OK – I’m just being ultra-dramatic now!).
Reading
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
After finishing Holly’s Inbox, I moved straight onto this book as I’d been wanting to get stuck in for a while. My friends bought me this book for my birthday in August – you may know the author from the book which became the TV series ‘Normal People’, or you may know the author because you’ve read her books! I’ve surprisingly got to the ripe old age of 30 without reading any of her stuff, despite the fact that many friends report her as being one of their favourite authors!
I’m only about 2 chapters in but I’m really enjoying it so far! As always, if there’s anything that I absolutely must read, get in touch with me! Share the love.
Watching
Uncle Chris and His Gorgeous Niece
I first discovered these two when I saw a video circulating on Facebook where “Uncle Chris” was planning to chug some orange juice with his gorgeous niece. It’s the cutest video – you can see it here! I’ve watched it 50 times and it doesn’t get old. It might be because Uncle Chris is FIT (OMG fit?! Lockdown appears to have regressed me to age 13!) or it might be because the videos are just so lovely*.
*it’s because Uncle Chris is fit.
This Guy’s Reaction to the Racist Backlash from the Sainsbury’s Advert
For anybody outside of the UK, every year, companies compete to create the best festive advert that airs around this time of year. The Christmas advert produced by Sainsbury’s this year (which I believe is part 1 of 3) features a Black family, and this has sparked a wave of racism, with racists crawling out of the woodwork and threatening to boycott the supermarket and take their custom elsewhere. You can watch the advert and read about the backlash it’s caused here.
Would you believe that some people think that we don’t have a racism problem here in the UK? The mind boggles. But luckily we have people like this to create great TikToks in response.
This Girl Trying to Walk Down a Muddy Hill
This is honestly so stupid but so good, it really brightens my day whenever I’ve seen it popping up in my timeline this week!
Listening
OMG this podcast is amazing. If you’re in need of a little inspiration or have been thinking about how you can follow your purpose and show up authentically in life, make sure you listen to this podcast!
Roann is a fantastic interviewer and his guests are so interesting and motivating. It’s fantastic to hear from people who have ditched the rat-race and found their purpose. I live for stuff like this.
Again, if you have any podcast recommendations that are similar to this, send them my way! I’m making a conscious effort to get out for walks and the only way I’ll do it is by having enough podcasts to listen to!
I might be late to the game here, I have no idea how long this song’s been out or how I’m only just hearing it now. But it’s soooooooooooooooooooo good. Such a feel-good tune, I’ve got it on repeat at the moment.
You might not be able to go on holiday right now, but you stick your heating and sunnies on, make a cosmo and sit back and listen to this song! You won’t even notice that you’re not at a pool party in the sun.
Before You Go…
There’s no category in this post for these, but they really made me laugh so I thought I’d share. This is exactly what I look like when James makes fajitas and claims they’re not spicy.
And if anybody is feeling as though their parenting skills are lacking in lockdown, at least you’re not a quokka (although they are still so adorable!)
Enjoy the rest of your week and I’ll see you next Wednesday!
Send me podcast suggestions please!!!
Reflect and Introspect 