Whether or not you’ve accepted the ‘new normal’ or still feel the shock, things don’t seem to be getting any easier. I’m not sure about you, but I’ve mostly spent lockdown trying to find things to fill my time and stop spiralling. I’d argue that there hasn’t ever been a time more appropriate to hone new skills as now. Unfortunately, doing things take money and effort, not to mention that bucket lists aren’t usually Covid safe!
So, how do we use our time well, feeling productive and fulfilled, whilst also protecting ourselves, others and our bank accounts?
My first suggestion is crochet. Last year saw a big surge of people showing off their craft skills on TikTok, with the appeal of crochet only growing. And many, like myself, were inspired by that cardigan by JW Anderson that Harry Styles wore and chose to knit or crochet their own (Anderson actually released the original knitting pattern for free.)
Like many people at the moment, I’ve spent much of my time glued to a screen watching Netflix or lectures, feeling unproductive and stuck. I never thought I’d get to a place where watching films and TV felt like stagnating, but somehow we got here. No worries though, I’ve managed to pick myself up again with crochet. It’s an activity to do whilst partaking in other things. Whether it’s finally catching up on those podcasts you’ve been meaning to listen to, or watching endless TV guilt-free, by the end of the day you’ve been productive— just look at all those things you’ve made! Essentially crochet helps me feel fulfilled within the limitations of my current situation, what more could I ask for? And, in this day and age, it’s so simple to start! Just order some wool and a hook, find yourself some tutorials and inspiration and get going!
The next one I have for you is running. Now I never considered myself a runner. I am not an athlete and nowadays I don’t even move much honestly. But last year I managed to complete the NHS’s Couch to 5k plan and I’ve genuinely never been prouder of myself. I went out every other day in my mismatching, hand-me-down sports gear and ran, until I could run for half an hour without stopping. To some, this might seem easy and to others, it might seem an impossible feat, but with the hilarious Sarah Millican talking me through each step of the way, within two months I went from an absolute noob to successfully running.
Now I understand that a big worry about running is not knowing how to start, so a plan like Couch to 5k is essential to get you going. But there are other obstacles like gear— how do you know what to wear? My advice would be to run in what is comfortable. I don’t own the best gear, none of those special water bottles made for running or the scientifically tested trainers (I had to shove extra insoles in to stop me blistering) and at times I felt a bit silly. But no one else cared about what I was wearing, or even batted an eyelid at what I was doing and, at the end of the day, I was achieving my goal.
Another concern is obviously route, so my tip would be to find a safe route to run that is familiar to you so you’re able to change course depending on how much time is left on your run. Couch to 5k is based on length of run rather than distance, so when the app told me I only had five minutes to go I had to quickly adjust my route. So, run somewhere you know and don’t run in the dark!
Lastly, my favourite thing is to wack on some tunes (or maybe that podcast?) and make a cake, so I can whole-heartedly recommend baking. Flour is no longer in short supply, so ingredients for cakes and biscuits are relatively cheap and simple to pick up during your grocery shop. Now, I am an avid baker and it’s been my passion for years now so, to me cakes are easy but, obviously, I understand that many people can’t say the same. However, I honestly believe that most people don’t give themselves enough credit. Ratatouille says anyone can cook; I say anyone can bake and my first tip would be to start easy. Cinnamon rolls, sourdough and macarons are so instagrammable, but maybe start off with a regular sponge instead. Trust me on this.
What helped me get to grips with baking was watching tutorials. Written recipes tell you to ‘beat’ ‘zest’ and ‘fold’ without an explanation as to what they mean. So, get yourself onto YouTube and take a crash course in all things cake.
But once you actually get to baking, make sure you clean as you go. Whilst you wait anxiously for your goodies to come out of the oven, you’ll have a perfect opportunity to tidy up a bit. From my experience, it’s not only convenient but also incredibly useful as a distraction from the gnawing pang of hunger growing as your creation bakes. And finally, don’t worry about fancy equipment, all you need is some scales, a bowl, some utensils and a tin. (Think about it, cakes were made before stand-mixers were available.)
So there we go, just some easy, accessible hobbies to keep you grounded for the foreseeable future. Have fun and stay safe!