Well would you look at that, here we are again. Lockdown 2.0, full circle of sorts, except this time it's cold and dark by 4pm. That said, I feel like this time round things are a bit easier to navigate? There's a deadline in place, the rules aren't as strict, Christmas to look forward to, and well, we already sort of know what to expect this time around!
Nonetheless, the challenge of how to fill the endless void of time that would normally be spent out and about, seeing friends, dining in restaurants or even at the office is still prevalent. I know I've been struggling. Work is pretty much non-existent, the outside isn't all that appealing when it's raining 99% of the time, and the dark really saps my motivation.
I'm sure I'm not the only one in a bit of a rut, so I thought it might be helpful to put together a little guide of sorts. I wanted to share some of the things that have helped me, from Netflix binges to discovering a great new recipe. Of course, there's no pressure to do anything at all - during 2020, just getting by is doing pretty darn well.
TV Shows to Binge
- The Queen's Gambit, Netflix. Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've probably clocked some of the hype around The Queen's Gambit. The story follows orphan and chess prodigy Beth (perfectly brought to life by Anya Taylor-Joy) from childhood to competing in international chess competitions. Is it worth the hype? Absolutely. And you don't even need to be a chess aficionado to watch.
- Ratched, Netflix. A classic Ryan Murphy (the bloke behind Glee, American Horror Story, and so many more...), Ratched is twisted, dark, camp, and oh so stylish. A prequel to One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Ratched provides an origin story to the villainous Nurse Ratched, imagining a far more complex and tortured character than the ensuing book and film. Come for the fabulous vintage outfits, stay for the suspense...
- Teenage Bounty Hunters, Netflix. I randomly happened upon an article citing Teenage Bounty Hunters as one of the most underrated shows on Netflix right now, and my interest was piqued. After bingeing it in a couple of days, I wholeheartedly concur. The comedy has many of the tropes of a classic teenage high school drama, however the uniquely ridiculous plotline (teenage twins accidentally become bounty hunters, hijinks ensue) and progressive LGBT storyline make it a cut above.
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Amazon Prime. One of my favourite shows of all time! If you've not watched Buffy, what are you waiting for? The series follows a young Sarah Michelle Gellar fighting vampires and sporting some cute 90s fits. Things start off pretty fluffy but by season 7 the show develops into something far more dark and complex. It gets a bit naff around season 4 but persevere, they bring it back. Come back and let me know if you're team Angel or Spike!
- The Undoing, Sky. Okay I've not watched this one yet, but it's next on my list! Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant in a psychological thriller, COUNT ME IN.
Meals to Cook
- Vegan Spicy Thai Peanut Ramen. I've gotten really into making Asian meals - a lot of noodles have been had this lockdown. This ramen recipe is a current favourite, the broth is really thick and flavoursome and it's easy to customise - I add mushrooms, beansprouts and pak choi.
- Breakfast Shakshuka. One of my go-to breakfast recipes, Shakshuka is so simple to make and seems way more complicated and fancy than it actually is. Mine is cooked with chorizo and halloumi but you can easily adjust to make it vegetarian.
- Korean Beef Bibimbap. I love Bibimbap, and this is a tried and tested recipe for the Korean classic. It's a little tricky purely because there's so many elements to it, but it's easy enough to follow and doesn't require any complicated techniques or skill. Switch out the beef for mushrooms or tofu for a veggie-friendly alternative.
- Roasted Beet and Carrot Lentil Salad. I made this recently and it was so simple but so delicious! A really great wholesome recipe for cosy winter evenings, it works really nicely on its own or as a base for lamb chops.
- Pumpkin Ravioli in Apple Sage Butter Sauce. Lockdown is a great opportunity to try something new - in my case, that was making pasta! Honestly, I kind of sucked, but it was still fun to try. This pumpkin ravioli has delicious flavours (the sauce has become a fast favourite), although I switched out the pumpkin for butternut squash because I couldn't find the former.
Read More: My 5 Favourite Failsafe Recipes
Activities and Things To Do
- Host a Game Night. During first lockdown in particularly our flat's regular Friday fundays spent playing games were such a lifeline. This time round we've expanded with Articulate (tricky to play with three players, but we're trying our best!) and Trivial Pursuit. You can even pull out the old jigsaws for some nostalgic fun!
- Have a themed dinner party. We've been doing so much cooking, and it made it far more interesting to pick a regional theme. You can apply it to food, drinks, and even entertainment. For example, have an Italian Summer with a menu of fresh pasta, Aperol Spritzs, and end the night watching La Dolce Vita (or the Lizzie McGuire movie, if that's more your vibe!).
- Fort Movie Night. Build an indoor den out of sheets or curtains, fairy lights, some string and a bit of imagination! Then fill with snacks and snuggle up for an extra cosy home movie night.
- Pick up a new skill. *cue eye rolls*. I know, the whole learn new skills, be productive rhetoric circa early lockdown round one was bloody annoying. We're in the midst of a pandemic, just getting up in the morning is a win! But hear me out. Sure, there's absolutely no pressure to do anything at all. But if you're bored and at a loss, why not give something new a go? It doesn't have to be as mammoth a task as learning a new language or a rigorous new workout routine. Last lockdown I learned how to make cocktails, and it was so much fun (if boozy...)! This lockdown, my thing has been trying new recipes and expanding my culinary repertoire. There was also some sewing in between! You could knit, take up diy, learn to wine taste (a v. important life skill), write, paint, whatever...!
I'd love to know how you've been spending your time during lockdown - if you've got any other ideas please share in the comments!
