Sundaze 253: Gaming, Friendship Dates and Embracing Spring

Happy, happiest Sunday, my loves!

Now that I seem to be emerging from my winter cocoon and slumber, my days and evenings feel packed with activities. Last week I even began writing my weekly Sundaze and ended up snoozing, fully dressed, atop an unmade bed. It’s safe to say I’m always trying to find my feet when it comes to a social life balance. Hey, your girl is a homebody through and through – I like it this way.

My main problem right now? Having to decide between hobbies and ‘me’ activities now that my free time feels a touch more limited again! Not that I mind, I am all for spending more time with friends and more time outdoors now that the clocks have gone forward and we have a little more daylight hours.

Reviving my cosy gamer girl era

I seem to dip in and out of gaming these days, where once I’d devote hours and hours to my plethora of games. But I’m happily dividing my time between date days and nights with my boyfriend, work, reading, life and furthering my own health, fitness and wellness goals.

Last week, Atelier Ryza 3 finally arrived on my Nintendo Switch and I’ve been happily carving out time to get stuck in. The Atelier games have completely captured my heart: I love a story-based JRPG and this is no exception. The first two games got me through lockdown and post-lockdown chaos and now this game seems to be the one to pull me back into regularly gaming again.

An abundance of friendship dates!

I decided a fortnight or so ago that I would pull myself out of my winter hibernation mode. (It’s been great for recouping, establishing new and good habits and routines, and saving money during the Cost of Living crisis!) So suddenly I’ve found myself on an abundance of friendship dates and I’ve loved it! While it can be nice to spend hours staring at WhatsApp on tiny screens, there isn’t much better than making plans together and spending a day or dinner together.

Last weekend I popped for a Sunday roast and country walk with my friends from school and it was glorious. We hadn’t seen each other since just after Christmas, so it was great to chatter away IRL about all of the books we’d loved, things we’ve been up, trips we’ve each booked and celebrate new beginnings and houses. Then, a big ol’ dinner date to belatedly celebrate my birthday with more friends at Jam Delish – the food was disappointing but the company great. And, today, I’ve spent the day at a local farm with another of my oldest friends, getting over-excited about Taylor Swift and putting the world to rights over chips and tea.

Embracing spring, wholeheartedly

I know I’m that annoying person online that adores every season and romanticises every moment, but this year I’ve really been anticipating spring.

The British winter felt extra long this year, and I am SO happy to see brighter mornings and lighter evenings. My boyfriend and I are so excited to get back to more outdoorsy date weekends where we won’t spend hours with boot brushes and umbrellas, and I personally can’t wait to be rid of coats. I want evening walks, breezy afternoons as I work from home, hot girl walks at the office that I can actually enjoy. Lighter meals and eating aaalll the greens, welcoming in pastel-hued fresh flowers and (almost) dining alfresco.