Have you explored having 'adventures in the ordinary'?
Meditation and mindfulness always brings me back to finding the wonder in ordinary things - from having a shower to applying hand cream, to enjoying a meal. For me, bigger adventures in the ordinary started when we had an ease in lockdown 1 and we were mindful for adventures while we could, in fresh new but safely socially distanced ways. It extended with lockdown 2 and thinking 'how can we add some fun when we are limited to what we can do.' And then when we couldn't have the Christmas we wanted, it was about doing something we really wanted to do that was totally out of the normal routine and traditions.
While there is lots said about the importance of routine for keeping positive in the challenges of lockdown, there can be a dull monotony in this, that can add to the pressures of this time. As such, each weekend, we have been trying to find ways to break the routine of the week of home-school/work angst with something fun - within the limitations of lockdown.
This is a simple list of a few things I've tried or some of my friends and contacts have recommended that I hope will inspire you - but the best way to add to this list is to create your own adventure that speaks to your heart . So ask yourself, what adventures in the ordinary might you have this weekend?
- A sleep over in the lounge
- Making a den inside
- Curling up in bed with a movie
- Breakfast in bed
- Home spa weekend - face masks, massage, body scrubs, manicures, pedicures
- Yoga outside in the park (Yes in the cold)
- Cooking on fire outside (yes in January)
- Laser quest running around the playing field
- Doing an online workshop together with my partner rather than watching Netflix (meditation and yoga and feeling good in lockdown have all been explored so far)
- Giggly online games night with a few friends playing Drawful, Pictionary, Fibbage and more!
- Host a murder mystery online or escape rooms with friends.
- Night-time glow stick walk!
- Climbing/hugging a tree
- Blowing massive bubbles in the park
- Getting up and out to watch the sunrise and sunset
- A night hike with torches
- Zoom coffee with a friend and on a Friday having a small cheeky tipple - just a taste of amaretto/sherry in the coffee to make the weekend feel extra special
- Making cocktails/mocktails and enjoying them
- A bake off competition/remotely or between family members
- Dance off in the kitchen
- Learning a dance routine and recording it as a family to share with friends
- Cooking a special meal for someone in your home - my son made us all salad snack packs including origami paper containers and lovely tasty healthy snacks instead of popcorn or chocolate.
- Doing something you used to love as a kid - paint by numbers, a board game, a jigsaw puzzle, reading a book you loved as a teenager, sewing, dancing, listening to music and shutting off from the world, writing letters to a friend... what did you love that you haven't enjoyed recently and can you bring this back?
- Organise a theme night - head to Italy, with Italian opera playing, Italian food and dress up for stepping out like the Italians do - head to France and practice your French over croissants and strong coffee - celebrate Chinese New Year with delicious home-cooked (or take-out) food.
- Shamelessly embrace the national food 'marketing' days - from Nutella Day (Feb 5th) to Pizza Day (Feb 9th) Pancake day (Feb 16th), National Curry Week (7-12 October) and cheese fondue day (11 April)!
What ever you choose for your adventure in the ordinary, remember to be really mindful in both the choice and enjoyment of it. Take time to notice the senses of this - the sound, smell, sight, touch and taste of these precious moments. Be playful and have fun!
