Last week (pre-new lockdown measures) I had the sweet realization that, while my weeknights might feel relatively crammed with the same old boring hobbies, they are actually crammed with 100% lovely things. I sometimes daydream about picking up new hobbies, like starting to watercolor paint or learning a new language (I tried to learn Hiragana back in February … that didn’t work out very well). But I usually end up realizing that I don’t have enough time to do those things, because I already really enjoy how I spend my time. And I mostly spend my time doing very mundane things that we all do. But they’re 100% lovely.
Favorite Pastime #1: Netflix and Food 💻🎄🧀
I don’t watch TV much, unless its a happy-sappy movie or TV show. And if its a happy sappy movie or TV show, I watch it a lot – except for one golden rule: I always watch it with someone. For the longest time, my mom and I would just loop ten seasons of Friends on repeat. Eventually we grew a little tired and switched to Modern Family and anything Christmas-related. Many people will argue that watching TV is a lazy way to spend your free time, but I would disagree. For us at home, watching something together is just a means to add more loveliness into our lives. We usually get some snacks set up, dim the lights and enjoy some good laughs. It’s even more lovely if its winter time and we have our Christmas tree set up. I wouldn’t recommend watching TV alone, but watching it with people you love is very wholesome.
PS: Recently, I’ve been getting really into setting up cheese platters, with the occasional glass of white wine. It really transforms watching TV into an experience.
💝 Lockdown Friendlies Rating: Ultra friendly.
Favorite Pastime #2: Playing Board Games 🎲👨👩👧👦💝
Something I do at least twice a week is play board games with my boyfriend and / or a small group of friends. I have a couple of favorite games, but I’m always up for trying something new. In the rare occasion where I lose, I like to always insist that my play mates were cheating 😄. I have a secretly competitive personality and always find new ways to agitate my opponents, to the point where everyone usually gangs up on me (including mom, dad and Jon – thanks guys!). But its all in splendid good fun! My favorite games at the moment include Catan, Code Names and – if we’re a larger crowd – Secret Hitler. Whist playing board games outside the house and with a large number of people is a bit out of the question right now, I can still see myself enjoying a nice family board game night while social distancing at home.
💝 Lockdown Friendlies Rating: Pretty friendly, if you have board games at home.
Favorite Pastime #3: Reading 📚🕯🌆
Arguably, my favorite pastime activity that I make least time for, is reading. This is partly because all the other things I mentioned I can do while being social. Reading, I must do alone, and sometimes I feel a little guilty to turn into a hermit. I do most of my reading before bed or on a weekend morning, and I try to level-up the coziness in this activity as well. Reading on its own can be plain. Reading with my faux-Jysk candles turned on next to me amps up the loveliness. As I’m writing this, I can’t wait for bedtime to do this again.
💝 Lockdown Friendlies Rating: As friendly as a golden retriever. So, super friendly.
Favorite Pastime #4: Going for Walks
I also really enjoy going for walks with family and friends, albeit more so in the warmer months, than when it is cold out (like now). I don’t necessarily walk much in nature, but I do walk a lot around the city. I’m not a big driver (scratch that – I haven’t driven in years) and so whenever I’m visiting my grandma or cousins that live in other neighborhoods, I always look forward to the opportunity of walking there. I think the same goes for my family. One time, my mom and dad accidentally walked to Albi Mall and back. Yes, accidentally. They went out for one of their walks, and before they knew it, they were almost in another municipality. I have yet to try that route myself, but I really look forward to doing it too someday. Even in times of new lockdown measures, walking should be a pretty safe bet, given you’re doing it safely with family / friends, and are abiding by local guidelines.
💝 Lockdown Friendlies Rating: Somewhat; depends on who’s making the rulez.
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What are your hobbies? What are some ways you make your “mundane” activities a little more lovely? Has lockdown changed them? I’d love to know!
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