Sundaze 163

Good morning! Time truly has no meaning these days, because somehow it’s Sunday and even more bewilderingly, it’s May!!

I don’t know about you guys but this week that realisation was met with a sea of anxious feelings and, I suppose, sadness. We’ve been staying at home in lockdown due to coronavirus for almost two months now, and it’s incomprehensible that much of 2020 is forever gone. Time wasted or time that I can’t get back or ‘make up’ has always been a source of anxiety for me: I realised some months ago that my constant panic attacks on trains is directly linked to whether or not they ran on time. (Spoiler: it’s the UK, they didn’t!) And so with the time of departure — and arrival — out of my hands, I’d begin to spiral. Some of that definitely spilled into my week, this week. The thought that I have so much I want to do outdoors, but can’t. The thought that I’m getting behind on most of my goals, however arbitrary they may have been.

As great as slow living can be (for me, and others), I’m finding it to be a source of immense discomfort at the moment. Living in my cosy bubble is beginning to feel not so cosy at all…

Lockdown date night with Harvey!

One thing that’s brought me joy lately (amongst these 10!) is date night with Harvey! We don’t live together — something that I commented on a while ago, and that has aged terribly, haha — so we’ve been isolating separately, and it’s been hard. So on payday, I treated us to an Indian takeaway and we had a Zoom date night eating curry together! It’s less than conventional, but what is convention these days anyway?!

I terraformed my entire Animal Crossing: New Horizons island

To distract my anxious self from The Real World, I’ve funnelled all of my spare time this week into writing, and into renovating my entire island on Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Yup! After sharing my five-star island, I bulldozed two-thirds of my island this week and made some pretty huge changes. Terraforming has been… an experience. Was it potentially the most stressful one I’ve had? Possibly. Nevertheless, it’s been totally worth it because I’m in love with how it’s all looking!

Pondering life after lockdown

Aside from the ups and downs of the week, I’ve also dared myself to think about life after lockdown and what I think or hope it’ll look like for me. I’m really nervous about commuting to London, whenever that might be allowed again. I miss the gym, but now that I’ve survived without it for so long, will I be tempted enough to return? One thing’s for sure: popping to the shops or visiting a restaurant or café is firmly a luxury for me now. And I won’t be taking it for granted.

I was lucky enough this weekend to receive a generous care package from my employer of my part-time job. We received hand wash, soaps and surgical face mask inserts, and I feel so humbled and grateful to be working for such a thoughtful company. It’s been a pleasure to work for them during the crisis, and even nicer to know we’re appreciated and cared-for.

My May To-do List

Well, my April to-do list went down the pan… Although I didn’t manage a whole lot from my list, I’m glad that I survived the month mostly unscathed and that my family are safe and well. May looks like it’ll be a make-or-break month in terms of the pandemic, so I suppose most of these to-do’s are at-home ones.

Celebrate my sister’s birthday!
Host an island re-opening party on Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Join me on Discord to be involved.
Read six books.
Tackle the ‘dumping ground corner’ of my bedroom.
Frame and hang my remaining prints.
Take more walks; I’ve been feeling anxious about taking my daily walks, and so I’m only averaging one a week.
Complete another chapter of my book!
Film an Animal Crossing: New Horizons island tour of Moonacre.
Film an updated bookcase tour.
Save all of my unused commuting money (instead of use it on wildly expensive BYREDO candles like I did in April…).

Links I’ve Loved

The lovely Liv shared a brill post full of the best Instagram Lives to plan your weeks around.
Mum made our family a set of reusable, washable face masks, and this tutorial on Georgie XOXO is perfect if you’re wanting to do the same.
Amy’s post about the money mistakes we all make and how to be better is really useful!
Fancy sprucing up your online presence? This post on From Fiona details how to make your own Instagram landing page.
I’ve had the most wonderful time playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons with Marissa, and her blog is a joy to read too!
And last but certainly not least, Ellie shared a candid, honest account of what it’s like to be black in China. If you read one thing today, let this post be it because it’s brilliantly insightful and nods to many of the racist issues we still have today.