Keeping busy during the coronavirus lockdown

These are strange times. Certainly not what I expected from 2020, but here we are. I'm not the sort of person who enjoys staying indoors all the time, I always like to get into the fresh air at least once a day, so I wasn't sure what to do with myself once the lockdown happened. I think it's been officially four days, but prior to the situation getting worse, I'd already chosen to stay indoors as much as possible, going out only to buy food, so it already feels a lot longer.

I started off strong however, and to be honest I thought this wouldn't be so hard after all. I retracted that sentiment by day three. So, I've decided to write a diary-type post of what I've been up to, to keep track of and maintain productivity.

1. Gardening

I was originally thinking I'd have to scale back my gardening plans this year, but now I've obviously got a lot more time to dedicate to it. So, as well as vegetables I'm trying to grow some flowers from seeds. I have grown sweet peas before, but that's it. A few of my seeds I've started on the early side, but at least if they don't work out I'll have time for another attempt. This is what I've got growing so far:
Vegetables: courgettes, cucumbers, spring onions, peas and tomatoes.
Flowers: violas, lobelia and sweet peas

Over the next couple of weeks I want to plant some more spring onions and peas, green beans and French beans and perhaps some lettuce, spinach and radishes. I also want to sow some pansy seeds, large daisies and wildflowers.

2. Sewing repairs

I've had a few items of clothing that have needed minor alterations or repairs or since the Autumn but I'd been putting it off. Earlier today I pulled out my sewing supplies and repaired a dress and altered another. Last night I'd also managed to rip my favourite pyjamas and although I really do have enough other pairs, I couldn't bring myself to throw them out. (It would happened to be the comfiest ones!) Luckily I remembered that I had some hemming web tape that can be used for repairs too, so I dug that out together with a scrap of fabric I had and carried out the repair work this morning. Even though the rip was really quite large it's not too noticeable now so I hope it holds up and I can get some more wear out them. It seems like the more I repair the more I'm finding to repair though, whilst typing this I've just noticed a small hole in my trousers, so I'll be fixing that when I'm done here!

3. Cooking and baking

I've been making an effort to cook more food too. I can't usually be bothered with lunch, either picking up something small on the go or just having a snack at home. Whilst I've been indoors though I've been trying harder. A few days ago I made a chestnut soup with some boxes of chestnuts that I already had in the cupboard and it was so good, I can't wait to make it again. Tonight I'm going to make a cheese sauce from scratch too, so hopefully that turns out ok. I'm also looking forward to getting baking again, I think that tomorrow I will make jam sponge upside down cakes.

4. Exercise

Mostly gardening so far but also the occasional walk outside of the house. I want to get back into yoga too as I found it so good for both mind and body.

5. Reading

Over the past couple of years I've grown a collection of books to read without actually getting through them, so one of my New Years resolutions was to read one a month. I'm reading Dreaming of St Tropez by T A Williams at the moment, which is a nice, light mood-lifting book and helping me to dream of holidays in warmer climates too!

These have been my main focuses so far, but I'm also trying to sort out my rooms to find anything I no longer want and putting them aside for the charity shop when they reopen and I'm keeping up my daily Duolingo practice. It's a great app if you want to try learning another language. I am hoping to also get on with some DIY projects too, if the weather stays sunny and dry. Hopefully that's enough to keep me busy for now :)