At the moment, with everything going on, it can sometimes be hard to think positively. This week, I am sharing with you ways that I have been trying to stay positive. Like everyone, I definitely get down days but I do think it is important to use this time to work on yourself and your mental health.
Focusing on what you can do
For me, it is thinking about the things I can't do that lowers my mood. It's better to think about the things that you can do. For example, I can write more blog posts as I have more free time and I can watch everything in my watchlist
Surrounding yourself with your favourite things
This is similar to focusing on what you can do. If you are feeling down then try and surround yourself with all of your favourite things you have around you. Try listening to your favourite artists or watching your favourite feel good movies. I have been watching a lot of Disney films lately to try and keep myself feeling happy. See my recommendations of What to Watch on Netflix and Disney+.
Knowledge is power
If the Coronavirus itself makes you feel anxious, you need to decide whether you need to know more about it to make you feel better or whether you need a detox from all things corona. Although it is important to be clued up on it so you know how it can be caught and spread, some of us don't want it to be the only thing we hear about each day. If you would like to learn more about the virus, I would recommend watching Coronavirus Explained on Netflix, it explains everything you need to know. However, make sure you don't become hyper focused on the virus. All you need to know is how to prevent it and that there will be an end to it.
It's temporary
There has been a decrease in cases in lots of countries across the globe and scientists are already looking at vaccines for the virus.
Try to keep active
If you live in the UK and can get out, then make sure you make use of your daily walks. It will make you feel slightly more free. Try and do exercise in your house too if you can. I have been doing Joe Wicks PE to try and stay active. It definitely lifts my mood.
Stay in touch
It is so easy to feel alone or isolated at this time, so make sure you catch up with family and friends! I have been facetiming family and friends to keep being sociable. Lots of people have been doing quizzes over facetime or zoom and I can confirm I have had lots of fun while doing these.
Think of things you are proud of
Now, try and think of things you or proud of or things you have achieved in lockdown that you didn't know you would achieve.
My list:
For me, it is thinking about the things I can't do that lowers my mood. It's better to think about the things that you can do. For example, I can write more blog posts as I have more free time and I can watch everything in my watchlist
Surrounding yourself with your favourite things
This is similar to focusing on what you can do. If you are feeling down then try and surround yourself with all of your favourite things you have around you. Try listening to your favourite artists or watching your favourite feel good movies. I have been watching a lot of Disney films lately to try and keep myself feeling happy. See my recommendations of What to Watch on Netflix and Disney+.
Knowledge is power
If the Coronavirus itself makes you feel anxious, you need to decide whether you need to know more about it to make you feel better or whether you need a detox from all things corona. Although it is important to be clued up on it so you know how it can be caught and spread, some of us don't want it to be the only thing we hear about each day. If you would like to learn more about the virus, I would recommend watching Coronavirus Explained on Netflix, it explains everything you need to know. However, make sure you don't become hyper focused on the virus. All you need to know is how to prevent it and that there will be an end to it.
It's temporary
There has been a decrease in cases in lots of countries across the globe and scientists are already looking at vaccines for the virus.
Try to keep active
If you live in the UK and can get out, then make sure you make use of your daily walks. It will make you feel slightly more free. Try and do exercise in your house too if you can. I have been doing Joe Wicks PE to try and stay active. It definitely lifts my mood.
Stay in touch
It is so easy to feel alone or isolated at this time, so make sure you catch up with family and friends! I have been facetiming family and friends to keep being sociable. Lots of people have been doing quizzes over facetime or zoom and I can confirm I have had lots of fun while doing these.
Think of things you are proud of
Now, try and think of things you or proud of or things you have achieved in lockdown that you didn't know you would achieve.
My list:
- Creating more blog posts on a regular basis and reaching blog/social media goals
- Engaging with more bloggers and finding more blog posts to read
- Finishing a paint by numbers
- Creating a new CV
- Achieving my Google Analytics for Beginners Certificate
Twitter: @_laurenken
Personal Insta: @_laurenken
Blog Insta: @wooloftheking1
Wool of the King
Sangria - 1 Jug (4 Glasses)
This is one of my absolute faves in the summer and reminds me of holiday so have been loving it in lockdown!
You will need:
50ml Brandy
Spoonful of sugar
A third of a bottle of red wine
Your favourite fruit
Ice
Cloudy Lemonade
How to make
1. First of all, you will need to pour 50m of brandy into the jug, followed by some sugar to keep it sweet.
2. Then add a third of a bottle of red wine to your jug. We used a Shiraz but you can use whichever wine you like.
3. Next, add your favourite fruit and some ice to the jug. We usually use strawberries and oranges but we used limes on this occasion because we didn't have oranges.
4. Finally, fill the rest of the jug with cloudy lemonade!
Strawberry Daquiri - 1 Glass
When I have asked people what their favourite cocktails are, a lot have them have said strawberry daquiri and I can see why!
You will need:
50ml rum
Spoonful of sugar
Half a lime
50g frozen strawberries
50g fresh strawberries
A blender
How to make
1. Add 50ml of rum to the blender. We used spiced rum but daquiris are usually made with white rum. You can use either or.
2. Next, add your spoonful of sugar and squeeze the juice from half a lime into the mix.
3. Add your frozen and fresh strawberries then blend! The frozen strawberries are to make it ice cold without actually using ice.
4. To make it look more insta-worthy, you wedge a strawberry onto the side of the glass too. We also used a lime here too.
Aperol Spritz - 1 Glass
You will need:
50ml Aperol
100ml Prosecco
Ice
Soda Water
Slice of orange (optional)
How to make
1. Firstly, add 50ml of Aperol into your wine glass.
2. Then add 100ml of prosecco, followed by ice.
3. Top up the rest of the glass with soda water and then stir!
4. Add your slice of orange if you have it.
Limoncello Spritz - 1 Glass
You will need:
50ml Limoncello
100ml Prosecco
Soda Water
Ice
Slice of Lemon (optional)
How to make
1. Add 50ml of Limoncello to your wine glass.
2. Then, add 100ml of prosecco into the mix, followed by ice and your slice of lemon if you have it.
3. Finally, fill the rest of the glass with soda water and stir!
Bramble - 1 Glass
You will need:
50ml of gin
25ml lemon juice
Ice
25ml Chambord
Any fruit you would like to garnish the bramble with (optional)
How to make:
1. If you have a cocktail shaker, add 50ml of gin into the shaker. If not, just use your glass and add the ice first.
2. Add 25ml of Chambord to the mix, followed by 25ml of lemon juice.
3. Shake in the cocktail shaker if you have one.
4. If you used a shaker then add ice to your glass (crushed if possible, or just regular ice cubes) and pour the mix into your glass over the ice.
5. Add any fruit to the side of the glass to garnish your bramble if you wish.
If you liked the look of one of these cocktails or more and would like to recreate them then please tag me on social media! Let me know if you liked this post and I will make a part 2 with some more cocktails as I had so much fun making this one. Also, let me know what your favourite cocktails are and any you'd like to see in a possible part 2.
Also a huge shout out to my mum for helping me make and drink the cocktails!
Happy cocktail making. Cheers!
Find out what else I've been up to in What I've Been Doing During the Lockdown.
Social Media
Twitter: @_laurenken
Personal Insta: @_laurenken
Blog Insta: @wooloftheking1
Wool of the King
Whilst staying indoors, I have been keeping track of all the things I have been up to beside working from home, so I can share it with you.
Disney+ and Netflix
A couple of weeks ago, Disney+ came out in the UK, so I decided to pre-order it so that I could watch it in isolation. I have to say, I have not been disappointed! I must have watched something from Disney+ every day since having it, as well as watching Netflix as usual.Paint by numbers
Knowing I wouldn't be able to go anywhere for a while, I ordered myself a paint by numbers kit on Amazon. I have been working on this for a few weeks now and I have found it very therapeutic.
Home work outs
I have also being doing some exercise at home with my friends on facetime. I did try a yoga with Adriene video but I am completely useless at yoga. I am pleased I tried though.What else?
In addition to keeping myself occupied, I am also trying to tick things off of my ongoing self admin to-do list. I got my Google Analytics for Beginners certificate. I have also been clearing out some make-up and have cleaned my make-up brushes which was long overdue.
There is a lot more I hope to complete before lockdown is over. I would like to write more blog posts for you and would also like to update my CV with all of my new internship information.
How do I stay positive?
In times like these, it can be hard to stay positive. The way I try and look at it is, every day is a day closer to being back to normal. There will be an end to this and even though it is hard to plan things at the moment, when this is all over you will be more grateful for everything that you do.
Social Media
Twitter: @_laurenken
Personal Insta: @_laurenken
Blog Insta: @wooloftheking1
LinkedIn: Lauren Kenny
Wool of the King
I'm 21!!! I did have a lot of plans for my 21st but sadly wasn't able to do any of them due to lockdown as they included going to Rome and going out for food and drinks in Bristol.
However, this didn't stop me from having a good birthday on Friday. First of all, mum, dad and I had smoked salmon bagels with cream cheese and champagne for breakfast, in true Gossip Girl style. Then, mum made her famous sausage rolls in place of a birthday cake as I prefer them to cake. It's safe to say they didn't last the night!
Later on we sat down to watch Gordon, Gino and Fred's Road Trip just as a bit of downtime before our 3 person party in the evening.
The 3 of us had a fancy dress party just to make it a bit different to a normal Friday night. I have to say, I do feel like a saddo even typing this but it was funny. We also challenged the rest of our family to dress up and facetime us with their best fancy dress. We had a great turnout.
My friends, family and Joe really did outdo themselves to help me celebrate my birthday, even if I couldn't see anyone but my mum and dad. My uni friends made a video montage of them all saying happy birthday to me. They also made a music video of my funniest moments at uni, and made up their own lyrics haha. I was shook.
Even though I didn't have the birthday I'd planned, it was still so much fun and I'm sure I will celebrate again when things are back to normal, just as an excuse to party.
Social Media
Twitter: @_laurenken
Personal Insta: @_laurenken
Blog Insta: @wooloftheking1
LinkedIn: Lauren Kenny
Wool of the King
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