I don’t often write these spur of the moment posts anymore. You know, when you just feel like you NEED to write to get out of your own head? We’re into week 2 of lockdown here in the UK and whilst I’m coping with it quite well (let’s be honest, not much has changed for me), I am finding the news a bit overwhelming now. If I don’t do something to distract myself, I’ll end up cutting my own hair or something. I don’t like banana bread.

Photo by Jing Xi Lau on Unsplash

A couple of years ago, I wrote a post about the importance of having things to look forward to. This feels very apt right now because I’ve been in a situation before where I had nothing to look forward to, no light at the end of what could have ended up being a very dark tunnel. And it’s not a nice feeling.

With lockdown feeling like it’s going to go on forever, it’s not going to be uncommon for those feelings to start seeping in to people’s lives. Loneliness and emptiness know no limits. Global pandemic or not. As with everyone, I’ve had a LOT of stuff cancelled due to COVID-19. It’s gutting. Because having plans and things to look forward to is what keeps my mental health afloat a lot of the time.

There’s absolutely nothing we can do about it right now. Apart from following the government guidelines, keeping connected with loved ones and staying hopeful and grateful for everyone putting their lives on the line to help combat this. I’m aware there’s much bigger things to worry about than a couple of cancelled plans.

But our mental health is just as important in this situation. We’re in unprecedented times right now. Nobody really knows how to feel. But I know for me, at least, having positive things to look forward to will help me through this. Here’s my list of things I want to do when all of this is over:

Photo by David Švihovec on Unsplash

Book a holiday to Disneyland Paris

Last year, Carl and I had planned to book a Disneyland Paris trip for this March. I’m not sure why it didn’t happen. You might call it laziness. I personally, call it fate. I’m SO GLAD we didn’t end up booking that trip because due to the timing of everything. We would have been going RIGHT when everything was getting shut down and/or when COVID-19 was spreading very quickly. My boyfriend is high risk (asthma) as well, so we dodged a bullet there. But I need to get back to my happy place!

And before you @ me, I KNOW the image in this post is not the Disneyland Paris castle!

Go to a theme park

I’m not a very theme park person. Since my anxiety started all those years ago and I just kinda got scared to do basically everything. But I used to really enjoy theme parks and rides. And I know I’d enjoy them again, should I have the guts to actually break through that anxiety barrier and go on them. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that life’s too short. So I wanna go to a theme park… again.

Go to Amsterdam

Another trip I had started looking into at the tail end of last year was Amsterdam. I was hoping to get a holiday there this year, preferably around Christmas as I think going around that time of year would be really magical. But again, I didn’t get much further than browsing hotels on booking.com. As soon as is safely possible, I want to knuckle down and book my trip to Amsterdam!

Re-book my solo trip away

I had a little getaway booked for the end of April to Walton-on-the-Naze on my own which obviously had to get cancelled. I was gutted because I’ve worked SO HARD on my anxiety over the last year and the fact that I was at a point to even THINK about going away on my own is something I could have only dreamed of a year ago. I’m really determined not to fall back into old habits, having been stuck inside for so long.

Go on another river cruise holiday on the Norfolk Broads

Carl and I have been on two holidays on the Norfolk Broads in the last few years, where we’ve hired a boat for a week and just cruised for the entire time we’ve been there. They’re incredibly relaxing holidays. And we’ve both mentioned recently that we’d like to do that again and I think after all of this is over, we’re going to need some calm in our lives!

Book a holiday to somewhere warm

Did you know I haven’t been abroad in like… 9 years? My last holiday abroad was Disneyland Paris in 2011. But my last beach holiday abroad was Bulgaria even before that. I haven’t had a proper beach resort, touristy, buffet dinner, lounging by the pool holiday in around a decade and I haven’t wanted one… until now. So I’d love to go back to somewhere like the Canary Islands and just relaaaaax.

Re-evaluate how I spend my time

I think COVID-19 and the excessive measures we’ve all had to take in order to stay safe has definitely made us all reevaluate some things already. For me, it’s how I spend my time. My work / life balance. The time I spend on my phone. The time I spend checking the news. All the things. This is a great chance for us to change going forward.

Eat sushi

Ending with a simple one but my GOD I MISS SUSHI. I think it’s the main food I miss. More than pizza. More than Chinese takeaway. I absolutely love sushi and when this is over and my favourite sushi place is open again, I’m ordering an absolute feast of sushi and I’m going to enjoy every last bite.

What have you got planned for when this is over? Any holidays you want to book? Any days out you want to go on? Any particular food you want to eat? Let me know!

123 Comments

  1. Oh mate, I really relate to a lot of these! I have never in my life wanted to go somewhere new than I do right now – even though I’ve spent most of my time in this house since way before Covid was a thing. I looove your point about re-evaluating how we spend our time. This has really taught me that nature and the great outdoors are crucial to my mental wellbeing, and that there’s no reason for me to neglect that as often as I do in ‘normal’ life. I’m definitely going to aim to be behind fewer screens in the future! (Also – I have my fingers crossed for you that every single one of these trips becomes a reality soon. You deserve them!). x

  2. A great list of ideas. I definitely want to see a little more of the UK. I hope you get your solo trip re-booked, I haven’t been to Walton-on-the-naze since I was a kid! It’d be nice to go back there and see how much has stayed the same or changed.

  3. I love this! We were supposed to go back to Disneyland Paris for my sister’s 30th this year, so that’s one of the first things we’ll be booking when this is over. I also had so many goals to help tackle my social anxiety, including a solo cinema trip, which is also on hold.

    1. Oh nooo. I’ll be booking Disney straight away too! Hope you can do your solo cinema trip when this is over – I actually have a blog post written and ready to go about my own solo cinema trip!

  4. Love this… I think after this we are all going to need to take some times for oursleves. I know I will be taking in every experience with a totally new perspective. If this didnt teach everyone to appreicate the little things, I dont know what will!

  5. If you need a guide in Disneyland Paris, just tell me ! I have to admit it, I went there every week-end… hahaha !

  6. Just think what an amazing time you’re going to have once all this is over – so many exciting trips!! Also I can totally relate to missing sushi, it’s one of my favourite foods too so that’s going to be one of the first things I eat once everywhere’s open again! (I might even try making my own at home!)

      1. Go for it! 😂 I actually tried it once before but I didn’t have the right kind of rice so I used basmati rice… It didn’t stick together very well so the sushi all fell apart! It still tasted okay though. 😂

  7. I was supposed to be going to Florence on Monday. Italy. Of all the places we could have planned to visit, it had to be Italy. Obviously with the way things panned out it wouldn’t have mattered where the trip was for because it would have been cancelled anyway but it was pretty clear early on that I stood no chance of getting there even before it reached the stage where all flights were a no go. But the first thing I want to do is book a flight. I’m sorry your retreat couldn’t happen, hopefully the rescheduled version can be even better x

    Sophie

    1. Ah man I’m sorry. Hopefully you get to visit sooner rather than later. I kinda knew early on that all my plans would be scuppered but you kinda don’t want to believe it do you?

  8. I had to cancel my Easter trip to see my family back in Germany and our Hawaii cruise was supposed to be next week. 🙁 That was my main holiday this year and cancelled now, too. But I think the next trip for me is to go back home after everything has calmed down to see the family.

      1. It could be worse. The most important thing right now is too stay healthy and safe. Trips can be rescheduled 🙂

  9. I can’t wait to go to the salon, go to brunch, go out for sushi, go clothes shopping, even go to the supermarket “just to see what I can find”!

  10. Your top 4 things are mine too!! I’m desperate for a theme park and Disney trip. I also had booked my first girls weekend…child free!! Which has now been cancelled. Let’s hope things get back to normal, soon.

  11. COVID-19 impacted us in so many ways. It sucks being at home but this gives us an opportunity to plan after this is all over. I hope my Disney annual pass doesn’t expire before we can go back out! It is great that you have all of these ideas thought up. I should do the same. Thanks for sharing!

    Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me

  12. This post is getting me soososososososooooo excited! I went to Disneyland Paris for my 25th and it was so much fun. I cried, I laughed, I cried again! I can’t wait to hear more about your retreat!
    After this, I am rescheduling my surprise hen do and getting back to enjoying being the fiance – if for one year longer!
    Rosie

  13. I love these ideas! I have a jar that I am keeping all the things that we’ve said ‘Oh I wish we could go here or there’ it’ll then be our post COVID bucket list.

    Just think how amazing it’ll feel to be able to tick off all of these things. Fills me with excitement just thinking about it!

  14. I’m definitely booking a trip to Amsterdam once this is all over. We were just about to book it for our anniversary in July before things got really serious and travel was banned so obviously now we have no idea when we’ll get to go. I’m trying to stay as positive as possible and hope that we’ll still get to do some of the things we planned before the end of the year otherwise I’ll just go crazy having nothing to look forward to. Love all of your ideas and I really hope you get to do them all once we’re allowed out again! xx

    Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk

  15. This was so uplifting hun, I totally agree. Being positive is the only way around this.. A great list! I also look forward to many things that I’ve had on my mind which I think I’m going to make time for after this horrendous virus is over 🌙 xx

  16. My favourite Chinese restaurant is closed because of the virus as well, so as soon as I find out they’re open again, I’M GONNA GET ME THE BIGGEST ORDER EVER. The upside is, my family & I are trying new takeaway/delivery places during all of this. You don’t like banana bread??!?! What is it that puts you off?? The bananas? The texture? I need answers!!! :’) Getting away to my favourite beaches on the Central Coast are first on my list once this is all over; I’m totally with you on getting out of the house, farrrr away xx

    1. Oh girl. My fave Chinese is shut too. Although we discovered a new Chinese last week that we really liked so… looking at the positives! I just find banana bread boring haha! I love bananas. I just don’t really like things without icing!!!

  17. Going back to Amsterdam is on my list of things to do after this isolation period is all over too! And hopefully a Summer holiday too. This is the perfect time to save, right?! xx

  18. I love this! I relate to reevaluating how I spend my time for sure! It’s been really easy to focus on the fact that I have so much junk in my life simply to take up space. I really hope that I can maintain that self awareness afterwards!

  19. Talk about the things we miss! Having something to look forward to is a great way to get out of reality and just dream for a little bit, and I love your ideas for taking trips and even facing your anxiety at a theme park. No better way then to just get out there and have some fun. 🙂

    Some people are even booking trips for next year now, I have heard, as prices are sometimes quite a steal.

  20. This is a great list, you seem to like to travel a lot! I wish I could go to disneyland someday😅
    With all that is currently going of i’m currently starting to feel a little claustrophobic. I don’t go out a lot but still many things are changing in my daily life and it’s very overwhelming.
    I just hope the authorities pay some more attention to the citizens’ mental health during this though times. I hope soon all this could end, and for you to do all the things in your list! ✨

  21. I love this list! Honestly, we’re still REALLY hoping that our local parks will reopen before the end of the summer so that we can still get some of our camping trips in. I have a week long trip booked in July that I am SO excited about. If that gets cancelled, we are definitely going to have to look at rebooking – but I don’t know that I will be able to get that campsite (it’s high demand and we were super lucky to get it when we did). I might have to set my sights on scoring it for next summer…

  22. Week 4 of lockdown: I’ve made brownies, cut my hair in an awkward way, and crocheted a scarf. I totally feel you on the going crazy part. You’ll love Amsterdam, I went before the pandemic and it’s all I can think about.

    Stay Safe 💛

  23. Awesome list! Most of my list consist of re-booking all the trips I had to cancel once it is safe to travel again…I miss it so much!

  24. A lot has changed for me since the lockdown as I can’t work at the moment so it’s very weird for me but I have been enjoying having a bit of time off. That’s a shame that your retreat got cancelled, hopefully you can get it rebooked. I can’t wait to just walk around the shops and buy thing I probably don’t need! X

  25. This is such a lovely post to help us reflect on what we want to do and thanks for sharing your own reflections!

    Disneyland is such a shout! That would be an amazing place to go after all this!

    We defo want to re-book our holiday we was meant to take this month, maybe even upgrade it to somewhere even better 😉

    Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk

  26. I feel you! The lockdown is getting to me as well. And your post is lovely, so many wonderful travel plans, specially Disneyland Paris and Amsterdam! Your pictures me to go there too😍

  27. I forgot that you were supposed to be coming to my neck of the woods in April! Hopefully that won’t be too far away – we should definitely get cake when you come down! Great list – as my job ends in September we’re tempted to just go away for at least 2 weeks (or even a month) after it’s gone and just enjoy being somewhere else for a bit.

  28. This is such a lovely post. Thinking about the future is such a good way of taking your mind off things! I was meant to be buying a house but that is definitely getting pushed back now. I think ill appreciate walking in parks (and not stressing about other people) and being able to have brunch in a cafe. In not much of a traveller but im going to make the effort to see family more. Stay safe <3 x

  29. I love this list! It’s so important to look forward to something, because we will get through this, even if it takes a year (gosh, let’s not hope it takes a year…)
    First thing I would do is book a trip too. Don’t know where to yet, but really everywhere feels about right at the moment. Just the idea of going somewhere is exciting! I would also really really like to cuddle my niece again 🙂

  30. I’ve always wanted to visit Disneyland. It’s number four on my list of things I want to do before I die.

    I love that you’ve found the will and strength to look forward to the light at the end of this tunnel. I wish I were that strong. These days, I avoid COVID-19 news and hashtags because they terrify me a lot. The only good thing that’s come out of this pandemic is that it has taught me to appreciate the little things in life I used to take for granted.

    1. You’ll love it! It’s so magical! I agree with the appreciating little things. It’s sensible to avoid the news too. Important to stay informed but you gotta look after your mental health for sure x

  31. I also live in the UK but was ill a week before the lockdown was introduced so I had to self-isolate, not being able to go to the shop without feeling like a criminal is the worst! I 100% will book a holiday to somewhere hot when all this is over, I cant wait! Great post 🙂

  32. I’ve always wanted to visit the Norfolk Broads! And a trip to Disneyland Paris sounds like what all of us need right now. I hope you stay safe during this period – sending love!

  33. We had several boating holidays on the Norfolk Broads when I was a child. Then we started to have narrowboat holidays instead and I was completely hooked. So relaxing and gentle.

    I’m avoiding the news now as it’s too scary and depressing for me. Just distracting myself with my blog and binge watching.

    I have to go to the chemist to get my prescription anxiety medication, and I am terrified. I keep putting it off because I just don’t want to go out. I don’t understand how some people are ignoring the rules.

    ~Marie~

  34. It’s so important to have things to look forward to. I always try to have things planned although it can be hard at the moment. That’s a great list and I hope you enjoy doing them when you can!

  35. I love this, I think since lockdown I have been trying to re-evaluate my time already and figure out what really matters to me. Disneyland Paris and Amsterdam sound great and are actually on the list of places I want to travel too one day so hopefully once this is all over we will both be able to travel and enjoy the world.

  36. This is a great list. My son’s birthday is april 30 and the tradition is we go out for sushi (he loves sushi) but this year all restaurants are closed. So I promised him we will order the biggest box of sushi they have as a take away and eat at home instead.

  37. Great post! You’re gonna have such a good time when this is over, I’ll deffo be booking a holiday to someplace warm ✨

  38. I was meant to go to Nice to celebrate finishing my A Levels in June but, it looks like we can’t go now. So, we think we may take a weekend and drive down to Brighton.
    I hope you’re safe and well,
    Al x

  39. I’m living in Italy and we’re already in the fifth week of quarantine. You’re doing great to write a list of things you want to do after, because it also helped me going through this time! 🙂

  40. I want to rebook my Africa holiday (if it gets cancelled) at the moment it hasn’t been cancelled because it is in July but I think it will be so I would like to rebook that. I also want to set myself the goal to keep it up with my fitness. These last few weeks I have really enjoyed working out and focusing on my fitness so I want to keep this up as much as possible!

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