11 Things to Get On-Lock During Lockdown
Living in these crazy times being physically sequestered and trying to keep your sanity is not always the clearest of paths. However, if you are stuck here is a list of some things to try.
1) Finish a crafting project you have been putting off
For me that has been sewing. I learned to sew years ago and have been putting off working with a very special fabric, but there is no time like the present.
2) Find new ways of keeping in touch with people
After having moved back to the States for the time being, I had been pushing myself to see all my lovely friends who were still in in the U.S.. However, between trying to coordinate both of our schedules and travel needed it has been difficult and led to many reschedules. Now that we have been staying inside, we have been diligently scheduling digital happy hour to keep in touch. Back in the UK, Cold Brew Kombucha and Heritage Avocado Toast have been taking part in weekly game nights with the London crew via the glories of the internet.
3) Learn a new skill
Try a new skill like baking, hand knitting, or maybe be ambitious enough to learn a new language. For recipes I really like https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/ and Duolingo is a great app for a starting a linguistic adventure. If you are looking to dive into an Asian language, Lingodeer is also a great shout.
4) Try your hand at cooking or baking something you have been wanting to try but may be too elaborate for regular life
You may find it easier than you think, and you have the time to enjoy the fruits of your labour. It is also a good time to try your hand at something you have been wanting to try for a dinner party but need to test the recipe. You also have more time to give that midweek brunch recipe a go. Branch out with some of the recipes from the Hipster at Home kitchen or crack open that cookbook you have been wanting to use but never had an excuse.
5) Create a contest with your friends or family
For all of you readers with a not-so-secret or secret competitive streak you have been denying, now is the time to let it out. Choose some people it’s okay to have some bad blood with like long-time friends or family and pick something to each tackle in the same realm and let the claws come out.
6) Clean something you have been neglecting
Spring is in the air, which makes it a perfect time to clean. As a make-up junkie, I have more cosmetic brushes than is probably healthy. I will try my hardest put off cleaning them some I have vowed to put off until the apocalypse comes. Now it is here, and I have finally hunkered down to clean them and they are pristine for the time being.
7) Dust off that puzzle in the back of your shelf and put it together
Almost everyone has one, now is the time to tackle it. If it is a 3D puzzel, even better. We believe in you.
8) Work on making that roof or porch ready for warm weather
In London, the weather is warming up and the hipster residence roof is being diligently worked on by Cold Brew Kombucha. Here in my current U.S. place I have been working on readying the porch with my stepmom for summertime soirees, once the lock down has been lifted of course. In the meantime, we can enjoy our outdoor spaces as a way to get break from working from home, some sunshine between social screen time, or as own outdoor yoga studio. Taking the winter covers off furniture, washing cushions and making sure to rid it of any pests that decided to call it home this past winter, make for a satisfying project.
9) Implement that Self Care Sunday (or any day of the week)
Skin care regimens are for everyone and are important. It is your largest organ after all. Start using those sheet masks you have been storing or order some online. Maybe try that new-fangled multi-masking the kids are talking about. Who said your happy hour cannot be multi-tasking? Throw on a mask while you sip that tipple. Maybe look at one of our suggestions in the Hipster at Home Libation Library
10) Get creative with your cocktail
To keep some semblance of sanity, my dad has been trying his hand at creative cocktails. He is by no means a crafter and does not have the desire to learn to pick up a paint brush or sew. In order to allow himself a fun way to experiment he has been making a new cocktail of his own invention out of the ingredients we have on hand. I am lucky enough to be sheltered in place with family, which has allowed me to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
Lastly, if you can sew…
11) Make some masks
A lot of the news, has been about the shortage and importance of masks. As someone that sews and currently having a lot of time on my hands it has allowed me to sew some not only for my family, but also at the request of health care professionals. In the realm of healthcare, it has been helping to fill shortages as well as allow them to use the current medical grade ones for longer. There has been requests across social media platforms for donations, as well as in bigger businesses.
I have currently been sewing for Joann’s fabrics. There website page about it is https://www.joann.com/make-to-give-response/?icn=hpz1&ici=make-to-give-response A fabric store that back in normal times I used to frequent for supplies. They actually have a program where they supply the materials and just request that you put them together and the care packages come in a pack of 5. All the fabric is already cut and ready to be assembled. Due to the shortage of elastic, the kit I had had ribbon for straps instead. I would not consider myself the best of sewers, but it didn’t take long. All 5 were a manageable day long project that took me about an hour per mask. Including cutting ribbon, sealing the ends with a candle flame and doing all the sewing and pleating.
I hope everyone is staying safe, practising social distancing, taking some time for themselves, and tackling some other things before they become too mainstream.