Written by Jennifer Bartelt

Day-by-day we are getting closer to our city reopening, exciting yes – absolutely! Are we in the clear just yet? Likely not.  We are staying positive that we will soon be able to slowly (and safely) ease our way back into a new normal, but until then I have a few recommendations on how to beat the lockdown boredom!

Tip 1: Get Crafty

Step aside Netflix! If you have exhausted every show or movie on Netflix and you’re tired of wasting time maybe it is time to try something new! Personally, I have taken up painting…yes, I have mastered the paint by numbers (which are SO fun by the way) and graduated to replicating art I have found online and made my own versions of prints I wanted to purchase for my house. Not only did that save some money (and costly shipping fees) but it was the perfect way to unwind, tap into my artistic side, enjoy a glass of wine and some inspiring music.  Painting not only is a great way to stay creative, but it is incredibly therapeutic too.  At the end of this lockdown, I have successfully redecorated my home with my own artwork!

Tip 2: Get Cooking

Are you sick of ordering in Uber eats most nights? Taking a break from your food subscription service? Great! Here’s why…have you seen TikTok lately? Food is trending! Why not experiment with a tasty dish like the Feta Pasta (looks unreal) or even scroll over to the beloved Pinterest.  I get so many recipe ideas from Pinterest recipes, or better yet, follow some food accounts on Instagram.  One of my go-to pages is Salt & Lavender with daily, drool-worthy recipes. Salt & Lavender owner, Natasha Bull, provides some incredible season-focused recipes. Most recently, I made taco stuffed shells – her twist on a Taco Tuesday dinner.  You can visit Natasha’s website at Salt & Lavender and discover a plethora of yummy dishes!

Click here https://www.saltandlavender.com/taco-stuffed-shells/ for Stuffed Taco Shells – they were a nice change-up from Taco Tuesday!

Tip 3: Plan a Virtual Hangout

It’s easy to fall into winter routines that usually result in nights curled up on the couch watching Friends reruns on Netflix (nothing wrong with that until it’s your 3rd time over watching the series). In a time where we are unable to connect with friends and family in person, why not set up a virtual hangout! Planning a wine night and catch up, painting night, cooking night, games night, book reading club – you can literally plan ANY kind of event that keeps you connected with people you can’t see in person!

Tip 4: Get Outside

Although we still have to navigate through another month of winter, every day we are getting closer and closer to Spring Equinox (March 20th)…yay! Until then, I encourage you to make the most of these last days of winter.  Get outside for a winter hike, hit the slopes at Blue Mountain (or your fave ski hills), bust out the snowshoes and hit a trail! There is still so much we can do to enjoy the winter weather before we are blessed with beautiful spring showers! Even just 20 minutes of fresh air can completely change your mood and your day around.