As we head into week 5 (or is it 6? No one knows) of our lockdown, life will hopefully be starting to find some rhythm, whatever that looks like for you. We were thrilled so many of you joined us for our inaugural Zoom meeting, it's somehow fitting that 5 years to the day and date of setting up the Thame Belles we strode on confidently into new territory. Sure, we tripped over once or twice and got lost a bit but that's the beauty of new experiences!
And thank you for the feedback some of you sent about it. We so appreciate hearing that what we're attempting is working on your end. Please, do let us know your ideas too, we really want to embrace our Thame Belles community (in the appropriate social distancing way) and get through this time as best we can.
Level up: Improve your skills a bit
There's any number of 'motivational' types across social media telling us that now is the time to start learning that new hobby/skill/business. Frankly that all seems a bit unlikely. It's worthwhile remembering that this is a global medical crisis and for individuals there is no correct response beyond the government's guidelines. But maybe there's an activity you've always wanted to learn? A language you wish you spoke better? A skill you used a long time ago that's got a bit rusty? Take the opportunity to dust off, brush up and polish you skills (that beats scrubbing the kitchen counters again). The committee have had a brain storm and come up with a veritable abundance of ideas, what skill will you turn your hand to?
Test several brownie recipes, decide on the best (and bring some to the next real life meeting!)
Sort out your wardrobe and separate out all those things you've been meaning to get rid of in readiness for when you can donate them. If you want to really go for it, watch Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix for top organising tips (or just watch for the sheer joy of it, it's the best kind of relaxing telly).
Make your own Christmas cards, and write them!
Improve your conversational French/Spanish/Icelandic (delete as applicable)
Get rid of that awful shed in the garden and build a raised bed for veggies. If you have no awful shed, move directly to step 2.
Set an achievable fitness goal. You don't need to do a HIIT workout every morning, followed by a run and a yoga sesh. A brisk walk for 20 minutes everyday can improve overall health. YouTube has a veritable panoply of videos for exercising, from yoga for little ones to sitting exercises for older people. Choose the one for you, BUT DON'T OVER DO IT!!!!
Empty and organise The Drawer™
Read those books that you've bought in good faith and then they've just languished at the bottom of the pile! (I'll need about 45 years-Mairi)
Learn the beautiful art of calligraphy or brush lettering
Try recipes that use up bits and bobs from the fridge
Make a phone call to check in with someone rather than just a text.
Write a handwritten letter. Perhaps follow this example, and write one to a resident in a care home whilst they are unable to receive visitors.
Find an online drawing lesson and produce the finest dinosaur there ever was.
There's just a few ideas for what you could do, let us know what you're getting up to via our email or on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #thamebelleslockdown and we'll share them!
Belles Challenge
Get yourselves ready for our Thame Belles Make and Do! This will be a fortnightly creative challenge that you can join in with, and share the results. There's no prize apart from the joy of doing it and sadly any bake off action can't be shared, BUT we think it will be fun. So every other week we'll send out a dedicated newsletter just for the challenge and ask you to share the results via email or social media hashtag. And don't worry, we're going for a variety of different things that will give all of us a chance to stretch our creative wings, so even if you're not much of a baker/painter/flower arranger, there will almost certainly be something you can enjoy!
We hope the things we've suggested here might help you pass the time or spark some interest. Don't forget, if all you chose to do whilst staying at home is watching telly then you're still doing exactly what you should! Maintaining social distancing is the sum total of what you should be doing, the rest is just decoration! These are unprecedented times and we're lucky to live in such a connected world where we can keep in touch with our nearest and dearest but we must all remember not to compare how we cope with how other do.
