How to keep occupied during lockdown.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I've loads of hobbies and interests (crafts, play the piano, read, jigsaws) but have to confess to having some really 'down' days, I think because I'm almost doing them because I have no other choice to occupy my days, rather than choosing to do them, if that makes sense! I find setting myself a target or 2 for the day (eg get the washing done, or tackle a neglected corner of a room for a sort-out). Then when I've done those, it gives me a sense of achievement and then move on to a hobby. I'm now clinging on to the hope that the 'roadmap' dates don't get postponed, and we're on our way out of it all and can start having more freedom and choice in how we can spend our days.

I have been knitting like a dervish. I had a huge amount of yarn and decided to knit hats and children's clothes for charity. I gave away a big box at Christmas and have filled the box again. I also read, watch a lot of TV, and garden.

I probably spend an hour each morning on GN!!

The British Heart Foundation are able to send you a label to print so that you can dispatch clothes etc.
Time for a Spring clear out?

If you're looking forward to the warmer weather and thinking about decluttering this Spring, take advantage of our free postal donation service. Whether you have winter clothing and accessories, collectables, tech or jewellery, simply download a free post label, package up your items and take them to your nearest Collect+ drop point when doing your next essential shop.

This will motivate me and possibly some of you contributing to this thread to pick an area one after another and get rid. After clothes, an excuse to buy something cheerful for spring if I get rid, the I am particularly interested in the Tech. I am keeping my amazon boxes to put these things in.

Hopefully Children 2 you will find some ideas that inspire you. I find it pays to have a diary and write in one or two activities for each day. This means that one is focused as one wakes up on doing those things and gets some satisfaction when you can tick them off.

I do have a list of things I want to watch on TV and on net flicks and I print these out for the week and make sure I get to see them. Having control like this does help cheer one up.

I think list making is a good idea. Have two lists - one very short, say three or four things that you want to achieve in the day e.g. go for a walk, clean the bathroom, ring best friend -and then tick them off when you've done them which will bring a sense of achievement and purpose. Then the other list will be things you want to do when you can or things you want to look into e.g. I had never heard of the diamond painting suggested earlier in this thread so I will look into that. Sometimes you may have to force yourself a bit to do things but you will feel better if you do. Good luck and God bless.

Can I ask where you found your free course please?

Thank you so much for all your help, I will try to get myself a list of possible things to .

I always feel better and more positive after s good night's sleep, but they can be hard to find for many of us. Perhaps your GP might be able to help with something to improve your sleep?
You sound like your energy levels are very low at the moment, so don't give yourself huge mountains to climb, physical or mental.
I bought my DD a subscription for a crochet magazine for Xmas, and she has added a gardening one to that. Easier to pick up than a book, and just looking at the pictures can be cheery.
Important to take little steps and find pleasure in small things at the moment

Great post Litterpicker.

Good ideas, love those from Litterpicker. I agree, a walk in woodland if possible, for at least an hour every day is very therapeutic. Any exercise is uplifting and makes you feel better - do you like swimming, as swimming baths can open again soon, or yoga is good for joints? No gym required. Schedule in a radio programme for a change - a comedy show, classical music or Women's Hour. I'm also a bit of a hoarder and am slowly working through cupboards, drawers and wardrobes, one at least each day. Even though I can't get to donate to charity shop yet, it's good to see bags all lined up to go. That also lifts the spirits. I heard on the radio that any creative outlet is good for depression. Maybe you could think of some activity you really want to do, painting, jewellery, writing, baking. It's only for you so it doesn't matter if you're not an expert, it's focussing and creating that counts. I tried sewing and was really pleased to finish an item of clothing with lots of help from Google - lots of sharing people out there. Very best wishes.

I cook alot and make chutneys pickles and marmalade. I home study most recent Sustainability environmental and Judaism courses. Next two areas of study are
Vikings and Tudors. I do the home decorating and painting in the house. I am preparing my raised veg beds ready for planting. I also make dainty fairy gardens in lanterns.

Look at the Ricefield Arts website, a Chinese cultural charity based in Glasgow. They offer free drawing classes via Zoom, they are a lot of fun. They have other free activities too, next Monday evening I'm involved in a cook-a-long, making Chinese filled pancakes.

I imagine colouring has been suggested? No need to buy expensive books, you can print out free sheets from web or just ‘take your pencil for a walk’ and colour in the shapes you make.

Listening to audiobooks or podcasts may be easier than reading. Your library will have free e-audiobooks or BBC Sounds has loads - sorry I’m sure you know this . Also try natural sounds like the sea or rain online. Or an app like Headspace.

I find cleaning therapeutic when I’m stressed- something simple and contained like wash kitchen or bathroom floor or clean sinks. Do one small thing each day and it helps with giving a sense of routine and achievement.

Sorting something has similar effect - buttons, threads, pencils!

Get outside, even for just 10 minutes. Take a photo of something that catches you eye. Post it on GN or Fb so that others can enjoy .

Try a gratitude diary - every night write down 3 things you are grateful for that day.

Finally, remember nothing stays the same. This too will pass.
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Amberone, yes I use to do all of those but since the first lockdown have not been able to engage with any of those trying to get more motivated , starting cooking, reading is hard as I have poor concentration. Enjoyed the garden last spring but by summer that was hard,even watching Monty Don was hard!
Also suffer poor sleep which does not help.
I understand routine is important but as I said earlier hard to fill the day.
Sorry to sound so depressing when everyone on here seems so positive.

I find puzzles keep me busy and also a good book. A walk for an hour or so is uplifting.
I have a routine for the day now and time passes quickly with phone calls and texts from family and friends at intervals.

It would help to know a little about you - do you have a garden? Can you sew ? Do you cook/bake? Do you have pets? Do you love to read? Do you write?

If you like reading you could join the 50 Books a Year thread where everyone discusses the books they are reading - a bit like having a natter with a friend and interesting to find out what other people like and dislike.

I feel myself really slowed down by the current situation. I couldn't possibly 'keep busy' in the way so many are doing.
I count 'ate healthy breakfast' and 'got dressed' as things I've done. Also 'did some Duolingo' and 'went for a walk' usually happen too.
Sometimes I have a zoom meeting but I can't do too many of them as I find them wearing.
Don't feel you have to muster the energy for a lot of activity - just enough to suit yourself.

Now the weather is improving are you able to find some volunteer work outside a couple of days a week ? There are lots of groups that look after heathlands, woods, etc., and working with a group outside helps with anxiety and depression. Or even a bird/badger/fox/otter watching group.
If you live in a town there are still groups that plant and care for grass areas and verges and parks.

Go walking most days either with oh sometimes with a friend . I enjoy reading ,jigsaws I usually speak to someone on phone .We usually watch a film in the evening .I do housework when needed .

Have a look at WEA online courses, I’ve been taking craft and language lessons, the tutors are really good, then there is Goldster, lots of online exercise classes ( free for the 1st month, then £9.99 a month), also art, music, cookery & lots more. What with a daily walk, a zoom or phone chat with a friend, Pilates or yoga and maybe crochet or sewing lesson, by the time I sit down in the evening to read my book I realise that’s another day when I didn’t get time to do the housework - oh dear!

Thank you so much everyone for your input, it has given me lots to think about.

Voluntary advice work from home for the best part of two days a week, three zoom choirs, zoom church, family history, listening to music, reading the papers, housework, browsing the internet, forums, code word puzzles. Walks when I make myself, like now, I ought to and it is sunny but I prefer to be on here.

A long walk with my dog twice a day has helped me a great deal plus reading, I am an avid reader. I also discovered 'Future Learn' during the first lockdown and this has kept me sane. There are literally hundreds of free university courses on every conceivable subject from which to choose. The courses also vary in length from 3 weeks to 2 months. I highly recommend 'Future Learn'.

Volunteering 2/3 times a week and audible books have kept me sane .

At the start of the first lockdown I decided that I couldn’t stand listening to the constant C19 discussions on the radio and down-loaded the Libby app and increased my Audible subscription.

I have listened dozens of books , from easy fiction through to serious non-fiction , during the day whilst going about my other activities. Driving, cooking, cleaning, sorting, gardening , sewing etc all improved for having my mind on something entertaining or informative.