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Three books to read this spring

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Despite book shops being closed in the UK, Publishers Association recorded a 16% rise in the sale of fiction books during the pandemic. While we were locked inside, seemingly more and more of us were turning to our trusty hardbacks as a form of escapism.

On the back of World Book Day on Thursday 2 March 2023, I wanted to share three fiction novels I read during the pandemic which left a lasting impression on me. All are from my Reader’s Digest collection and available to purchase online. I inherited my collection from my Great Uncle Sydney, who happened to be a poet – maybe this explains my love for each novel.

  1. Voices of Summer by Diane Pearson

Set in Vienna, this brilliantly written story follows a former theatre star who retakes the stage (after many years away from the limelight) alongside a merciless tenor. The author draws on her musical background to create real stage presence and constructs a world full of charming characters, including the enchanting Willi Zimmerman. You don’t have to be a theatre lover to enjoy this book and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll likely be wanting to book a trip to Austria by the time you reach its final pages!

  1. The Old House at Railes by Mary E. Pearce

A story set in Gloucestershire where the son of a stonemason receives a first-class education from a wealthy local family. The reader goes on a real journey with the lead character Martin as, despite the novel’s twists and turns, he remains remarkably resilient and manages to build a compelling reputation for himself in the local community. Without revealing the plot, this book taught me about the fragility of life and the importance of doing the right thing. I particularly enjoyed reading the letters Martin writes so eloquently (and I’ve since turned to these as a source of inspiration!).

  1. To Fly a Kite by Elizabeth Webster

This one is a little trickier to get hold of online but is up there with my all-time favourites. A wonderful tale about a young woman’s plight to rescue a former concert pianist from despair back to good health. A book about the power of healing that moved me to tears (in a good way), taught me what true love is and made me appreciate the small things in life. I loved the vivid imagery scattered throughout this novel, including the poignant kite scene at the end. I also appreciated how the author drew on her personal experience of teaching special needs children to depict such a beautiful story.

Investing in future you

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With the cost of living really starting to bite, money can feel tight just now. Between the National Insurance rise, energy bills soaring and petrol prices reaching record highs, anything we can do to help get a better grip on our money matters is welcome. Although it’s not a magic bullet, making a budget can be a great way to get a clear picture of your finances – you can see where your money’s going, and hopefully where you can save some.

Whether you’re paying off debt, saving for a deposit, or just trying to put some money away for a much-needed holiday, budgets can help you stay on track. I found using the 50-30-20 budget rule was a really simple way to keep on top of my finances.

The idea is you spend:

  • 50% on essential needs like rent/mortgage payments, bills, food and transport.
  • 30% on wants – all those good (but optional) things like eating out, shopping, your Spotify and Netflix subscriptions etc.
  • 20% on savings or paying off debt. This could be putting money into a savings account, investment or even a pension fund, or paying off anything from personal loans to credit cards.

So if your take home pay is £1,500 a month after tax, you’d have:

  • £750 for needs,
  • £450 for wants, and
  • £300 for savings or debts.

When I decided to try this budget the idea of building up savings seemed more attractive than paying off debt. But on his excellent MoneySavingExpert website, Martin Lewis recommends looking at the interest rates on any outstanding debt first. It’s often better to pay this off before starting to build up savings – it can even save you money in the longer term.

Reframing saving

I tried to reframe the act of saving in my mind as investing in future me.

I tried to reframe the act of saving in my mind as investing in future me. So rather than taking money away from myself just now, I’m actually giving money to my future self. Or to be more specific, investing in the things I want to do in the future – like that long-awaited holiday abroad (hopefully…).

20% might seem like a lot to save, especially when times are tight and with lots of competing priorities, so why not make it a figure you work toward over time? When creating my budget I tried to save what I could afford before working up to 20%. After paying off my credit card, I found putting money straight into my savings as soon as I got paid worked best, as waiting until the end of the month to see what I had left usually meant staring at an empty bank account.

In reality
The 50-30-20 budget might mean you’re no longer dedicating as much cash to all those wants. And with rising costs you might find it is difficult to make the budget work straight away, but it can be something to aspire to. Even just making a budget can really help give you a clearer picture of what you’re spending your money on and where you can afford to cut back.

If you’re struggling with money or have any financial worries, the MoneyHelper website is a terrific resource to help with all things financial – from debt and household bills, to benefits and pensions, they’ve got it covered.

To borrow sentiment from a Chinese proverb – the best time to make a budget was a couple of years ago, the second best time is now.

Giving back

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“Everyone can experience the joy and blessing of generosity; because everyone has something to give.”
Jan Grace, Author.

Over the past 18 months we’ve seen some of the amazing things people have given. Whether it’s their time, effort, energy or expertise to help others, the compassion shown has been inspiring. As well as this, lots of us have donated to causes we care deeply about, from the NHS to animal shelters, environmental causes or charities tackling social issues – giving back or trying to help those less fortunate is something we should all strive to do.

What‘s in it for me?
Volunteering is often, rightly, viewed as a way to give back, be it to a community, group of people or a cause. But not only are there benefits for the people and causes receiving help, lots of volunteers talk about the positive effects volunteering has for them.

Volunteers from Volunteer Scotland talk about the feeling of pride, achievement, gratitude and sense of wellbeing they get from volunteering. And not only that, volunteering can give you the opportunity to learn new skills, make you feel part of a community and build new friendships – getting out the house to socialise while doing some good is definitely something many of us want to do after the year we’ve had. All of these things can also help improve your mental health – it really is win-win!

What can I do?
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Do It, and the Government website are great places to start your search for voluntary work. You can also keep an eye on local Facebook groups and community noticeboards for opportunities. If you want to volunteer regularly it’s important to find something that interests you, as it’s more likely to keep you invested. Maybe you want to donate some money to charity? It’s worth exploring whether your employer offers give as you earn donations or payroll giving, as this way donations are made directly from your salary, in a tax efficient way, to your chosen charity.

It doesn’t just need to be your time or money you volunteer either. You could have a wardrobe clear out and donate your pre-loved clothes to charity, or how about combining a workout with doing some good? GoodGym bring together physical exercise with helping out in local communities by organising local runs to volunteer at food banks, shift earth for community groups, plant trees in local parks, and loads of other amazing projects.

There are loads of great causes to get involved with, so let us know if you volunteer for anything.

Why pride isn’t just for Pride month

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I remember camping with my family when I was about eleven or twelve, waking up one morning in our tent, and admitting to myself that I was gay. Blood rushed to my head, and in a mortified panic, I promised myself that I would never tell anyone this secret for the rest of my life.

At twenty-two, pride feels like a second birthday, and my queerness feels like a gift. I have nurtured, fought for and protected this gift more than anything else I have ever received in my life.

I’ve heard people say that you shouldn’t let one part of your identity consume your whole existence. However, it’s hard to ignore the one facet of your life that other people solely define you by, whether you like it or not.

I’ve been told I was too gay in school and that I talked too much about being gay at university. In embracing my queerness, I still find I’m having to justify, dilute or amplify this part of my identity to please others. It’s hard to digest that the same people telling you that you’re too gay or not gay enough are the ones at pride parades drinking Malibu and coke, taking pictures with their friends and having a good time.

The reality is, being queer has become my whole life – and not just for one month or one parade a year.

Queer people stand in the face of adversity daily. Being queer transcends clothing. It’s in the way we talk, hold ourselves and communicate. So let’s get one thing straight (excuse the pun) – regardless of our clothing, haircuts and outward expression, queer people are still being marginalised and discriminated against.

Many of the queer people I know, including myself, moved to London in hopes of finding themselves at the epicentre of creativity, acceptance and opportunity. Whilst London doesn’t fall short of its promises, homophobia, transphobia and racism run rampant in North, East, South and West.

Many turn a blind eye to day to day stories of hate crime, because we’ve fought for and been awarded our rights, right?

Time and time again this mentality is disrupted by major horror stories making the news, bringing back into sharp focus the reality that many queer folk face. In October, the BBC reported a 20% increase in homophobic hate crimes during the year and even more alarmingly that reports had tripled in five years. And, while it’s true homophobic attacks have been woefully underreported in the past, it doesn’t account for the magnitude in increases.

Tragically, it doesn’t always make the news either. We’re still marching for our BAME trans brothers and sisters in central London because they’re losing their lives and it remains unreported by any major news outlets.

On the surface, your queer/BAME friends may seem fine, but each has probably experienced some form of discrimination within the last month.

On the surface, your queer/BAME friends, the drag queens you see performing at Heaven and the trendy gay guy that made you your oat latte in Gail’s may seem fine, but each has probably experienced some form of discrimination, homophobia or racism within the last month.

When I got back to work after the world went into lockdown, I was called a faggot by four young teenagers at my part-time retail job. Not only is this personally humiliating, but it’s also worrying.

The boys were maybe sixteen or seventeen and I’m twenty-two. I naively hoped (and hope) the younger generations would be more socially aware than my own generation, and that their queer peers would be more comfortable than I was growing up. It goes to show that visibility and education are still essential for queer people to be accepted in society, not only in London but across the world.

But should we, the queer community, be the ones doing the educating?

No.

Why should it still be our responsibility in 2021?

That’s what we’d like to say of course, and that’s what we should encourage. The reality is, we’re still our biggest supporters and to see the change we must be the ones to actively make it. And to our allies, we can spot the Malibu and Coke drinking parade-goers from the genuine activists and change-makers. We see and appreciate you.

Pride is a great opportunity to be visible, online and in person. Although every day is an opportunity to be visible, we’re not always comfortable doing so and that’s fine. Everyone has their own individual way of contributing to the community, big or small, and each is valid. Ultimately, we all have a responsibility to make our voices louder and to defend EVERYONE in our community. Report instances of homophobia, share stories with your work colleagues and friends, let people know it’s not all rainbows and RuPaul’s drag race.

Pride isn’t just for pride month, pride is every day for us.

How to save energy and money this winter

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Many of us are continuing to work from home in these early days of 2021, and with January traditionally being a month when every penny is pinched, it makes sense to look for savings wherever we can.

Big Energy Saving Winter are encouraging all of us to ‘Check. Switch. Save.’ Saving energy is kind to your wallet and ultimately can be good for the planet, so here are some top tips on how you can save some precious extra cash while working from home.

Check
If you were commuting to work before the move to working from home, you may be saving money by not having to travel into the office every day. But you don’t want all of those savings to be eaten away by increased energy bills, so it’s definitely worth checking if you’re getting the best deal on your household bills.

Thankfully, it’s really quick and easy to check. We’re big fans of Martin Lewis and his Money Saving Expert website. On the site you can compare the best deals, and there’s also their Cheap Energy Club which gives you the option to “automatically compare and switch” tariffs based on what you’re looking for. Citizen’s Advice also have a similar comparison tool which you can use here.

As well as comparing the best deals around, it’s also worth checking whether you’re entitled to any support, grants or discounts. Every little bit of help can go a long way, so take a look here to see whether you’re eligible.

Switch
If you’ve found a better deal than the one you’re currently on, great! Switching supplier is really simple and you can usually do it all online. I switched energy supplier just before Christmas and have promised myself I’ll put the money I’m saving into a separate bank account to put towards something nice when restrictions are eased, because I think we need a treat at the end of all this, right?

Save
As well as saving your hard-earned cash, saving energy is also good for the planet. Using less energy in your home can reduce your carbon footprint as well as reducing bills, so everyone wins! Speaking of winning, here are some quick wins to help you bring down the cost of your energy bills:

  • Keep cool – dropping your thermostat down by one degree could save you £60 a year!
  • Draught-proofing your windows and doors can save £25.
  • Switch on to energy-efficient LED bulbs and you could save about £40 a year.

Check out the Big Energy Saving website for more tips on how to save. There are also Government schemes, like the Green Homes Grant, to help you with the cost of making your home more energy efficient. Check out the Government website for details of what’s available where you are and let the saving start!

Surviving Black Friday

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It’s been a challenging year, and many mental health experts recommend trying to get our little fixes of happiness wherever we can. But is Black Friday shopping a good way to do this? We look at some of the pros and cons in our survival guide below.

Black Friday was originally an American post-Thanksgiving sales event, but has recently become more globally recognised thanks in no small part to extensive marketing by companies like Amazon and other US retailers. Maybe, like me though, you’re thinking 2020 is a chance to take a step back and reset our thinking about the frantic annual battle for a bargain.

Small businesses in a big pond
This year, with so many small businesses feeling the squeeze because of the impact of COVID-19, now more than ever they could do with our support. The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has encouraged us to consider shopping with small businesses whenever we can.

In an article by the Guardian, Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s Chief Executive, added, “Despite the lure of the internet, nothing can beat the positive experience of buying from a local independent retailer knowing that money spent in a local shop will in turn be spent in the local economy. Independent retailers are part of the community and need the support of shoppers now more than ever.”

And just because some retailers are a little smaller, doesn’t mean they won’t have their own offers and incentives running on Black Friday, so check them out before you hand over your hard-earned cash to the retail giants.

Is it really a bargain?
£400 off. Half price. Was £600, now only £200. Retailers advertise price cuts like these on Black Friday, but are they really the bargains they make them out to be? There have been numerous news stories over the last few years about shoppers getting a bit of a shock when they’ve price-checked those big purchases only to find out the savings weren’t quite what they were expecting.

It pays to shop around and compare prices across a good range of different websites or shops. Consumer advice website Which? recommends taking this a step further and using apps like Pricerunner and PriceSpy to check the previous price and the real savings you’re making. Which? tracked the prices of a number of products in the lead up to Black Friday in 2018 and found that deals and savings offered were actually available for the same price or even cheaper in the six months after the sales!

Sleep on it
You often get a little burst of serotonin as you buy something. This coupled with fear of missing out can lead us to make impulse buys we don’t need, particularly on Black Friday. In fact, some retailers count on it!

To avoid ending up with a bag full of guilty purchases, you could put things in your online shopping basket and then come back to them later. Leaving items in there for a day or two will give you time to reflect on whether you really need that £200 drone or another pair of earrings…

Black Friday can be a great opportunity to bag yourself a bargain and make some great savings, especially on big ticket items. But make sure you know what you’re buying and whether it really is a bargain. Share your tips with us so we can all aim not to be left with buyer’s regret come December.

The unsustainable world of fast fashion

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There’s something rather wonderful about a little shopping spree and a funky new wardrobe, especially as the seasons change and new outfits beckon! We can get our hands on the latest trends at a fraction of the catwalk price… but is this really a good thing? Well, it might be great for the fashion-conscious among us and the retailers who profit from it, but the massive rise of ‘fast fashion’ in recent years has come at a very high price for the environment.

The truth behind the clothes
As the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee 2019 points out, “The way we make, use and throw away our clothes is unsustainable. Textile production contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined, consumes lake-sized volumes of fresh water and creates chemical and plastic pollution.”

Once you realise how these clothes end up on the shelves, the processes and the impact on the environment, it’s pretty clear there needs to be a change from the current fast fashion trend to a more sustainable way of buying our clothes. We’re at the heart of the problem in the UK, where it’s estimated every person buys 26.7kg of clothing a year – higher than any other European country. That’s a shocking statistic! I know I’ve certainly been guilty over the years of going on a good shopping spree with no idea of the wider impact – but not anymore!

So what can we do?
Well it’s clearly a huge issue and we could all start by doing our bit to spread the word! Talk about it with your friends and family and take a few simple steps to make an impact:

Buy less
Do you really need to buy that new winter coat, or can you dig out last year’s coat from your wardrobe? Think twice before buying anything new.

Buy second-hand
There are so many options, with loads of online marketplaces to choose from and charity shops on every high street which are wonderful for grabbing yourself a bargain!

Buy better quality
It should last longer and means you shouldn’t have to buy new things quite so often – better for the environment and your wallet.

Buy from sustainable brands
Support brands that take into account their environmental and social impact where possible, it really does make a difference.

Don’t throw your clothes away
If a zip’s broken or a hem’s come down try and repair it yourself, or if it’s beyond your sewing skills support a local tailoring business – it’ll be as good as new! I did this recently with a favourite jacket and loved that I could still use it. Donate what you don’t want or need anymore to a charity shop, or arrange a clothes swap with friends.

I’ve already started on my slow fashion journey and haven’t bought any new clothes for myself in months. I’m determined to keep this in the back of my mind for any future purchases and look to buy second hand more where I can (and fix where possible, too!) – do you think you can make a change to how you shop for clothes?

The pursuit of happiness (at work)

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On average we spend almost 40 hours of every week at work. With such a large percentage of our lives spent working it makes sense to try to make sure we’re as happy as we can be while we’re there. The International Week of Happiness at Work website tells us, “When you’re happy, you’re healthier, more vital, more cheerful, more social and more successful.”

Some studies have shown the key to being happy at work is resilience. Resilience is broadly defined as the ability to bounce back and adapt to hardships and set-backs. At work, resilient people are better able to deal with the demands placed on them, especially where those demands might mean dealing with constantly changing priorities or a heavy workload.

How do we become more resilient?
We’ve all been there – getting annoyed at something or feeling stressed at work. It’s completely natural, but it’s how we manage these feelings that can be really beneficial.

A healthy overall lifestyle can help – plenty of exercise and a healthy diet, but the key to greater happiness at work is becoming more resilient in the face of adversity. Developing an awareness of what we can and can’t control can help us manage how we feel and in turn build resilience.

In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey identifies the circle of control, the circle of concern and circle of influence. He highlights that proactive people focus on what they can do and can influence (circles of control and influence) rather than focusing all their energy on things beyond their control (circle of concern). This can help avoid feelings of victimisation and blame.

Covey believes reframing things we’re annoyed about, seeing them as challenges to be embraced and focusing on what we can control, will actually enable us to make effective changes. And if you do this you’ll find your circle of influence starts to increase – others will see you as an effective person.

Getting social
Just as important as taking positive actions to address problems is developing relationships with others – cherish social support and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You may not have direct influence over something you’re concerned about, but you may know people who do. Your team can have a wider circle of influence than you as an individual so build those communication skills – they really are important.

As well as building your support network you should also set goals, both individually and as a team. This also helps improve transparency and communication within the team. And celebrate reaching your goals, give yourself the credit you deserve and recognise your achievements.

Something on your mind
Mindfulness, amongst its many benefits, can also help build resilience. An awareness of the moment can help you stay present and manage your reaction to challenges.

Mindfulness doesn’t need to be 90 minutes of meditation, it can be as simple as taking a minute to pay more attention to the present moment and to your own thoughts and feelings. Apps like Headspace and Calm have loads of mindfulness exercises to suit you and your lifestyle.

What do you think the key to happiness at work is? Share your hints and tips in the comments below.

The case for staycations

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With everything that’s happened over the last few months many of us have seen our original holiday plans postponed or cancelled altogether. And with loads of flights cancelled and some hotels remaining shut or operating at reduced capacity, our traditional idea of the summer getaway has all but disappeared.

But this doesn’t mean you can’t get away. Far from it. Step forward the staycation.

We usually look to holidays to give us a break from routine, time off work and the chance to relax or explore somewhere new. These are things that can all be done with a staycation. And if the weather’s anything like it has been in parts of the UK recently then it could feel like you’re abroad too.

What are the benefits of a staycation?
Our home nations across the UK are often some of the most desirable to visit by tourists and they regularly score highly in travel guides of must-visit destinations. As well as giving you the opportunity to be a tourist and explore your own town, city, or country with fresh eyes, there are loads of other benefits staycations have over traditional foreign holidays.

Flexibility
Staycations are traditionally a bit closer to home than your usual long-haul trips abroad. This means as well as being able to speak the language, you also have a bit more flexibility in terms of when you come and go. Travelling by public transport will give you more options than flying, and the majority of bus and train tickets can be bought on the day. Although cheap deals can usually be found if you plan ahead and book in advance.

If you’re travelling by car you’ll have even more flexibility to come and go as you please. No rushing to the airport for delayed flights, you can take your time and even stop off for lunch wherever you want. There are no luggage limits either, so you can pack that extra pair of jeans or shoes. And depending on where you’re staying, you can even take your pets with you too.

For those of you who love the great outdoors and don’t mind a bit of adventure, then camping gives you even more freedom. And that’s not to mention the health benefits spending time in nature provides too. But if you are wild camping make sure you take all your rubbish with you and leave only footprints.

Reduces your carbon footprint
Air travel is a huge contributor to global emissions, with a one-way flight from London to New York emitting one ton of carbon dioxide per passenger! Travelling locally, or even cross-country, by public transport can be much better for the environment, and in turn your health with less air pollution being produced.

Staycations also give us the opportunity to rediscover the joy of the journey. When flying over countries by plane we miss out on the experiences we can have when travelling through quiet towns, peaceful villages and vibrant cities. It also gives you the opportunity to connect with a place and the people, and there’s no substitute for local knowledge, so you might just end up discovering another hidden gem.

The rise of this slow travel and responsible backpacking in recent years is primarily in response to rising carbon emissions and over-tourism. By opting for staycations and travelling through places you might find you have even more great experiences.

And for the cycling enthusiasts among you, why not give bikepacking a go – packing your bike with everything you need and pedalling to a new place or to explore some beautiful scenery.

Supports the local economy
Depending on how you travel and where you stay, staycations can offer a cheaper alternative to going abroad. The rise of bikepacking and wild camping can drastically reduce your travel and accommodation costs. But the money you do spend in the local economy stays there. Research shows that £10 spent with a local independent shop can result in up to an additional £50 going back into the local economy through circulation and re-spending in the local community.

We’ve embraced the staycation in our team with people holidaying a little closer to home in the Northwest Highlands in Scotland, Malham Cove in the Lake District, Truro in Cornwall, and Woolacombe in Devon. Let us know if you’ve been on a staycation and share your hints and tips in the comments.

How long can you keep £10 in your wallet?

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In what was a rare moment during lockdown, I reached for my wallet and the orange tint of a £10 note caught my eye. It’d been sitting there, silently hidden since 20 March and we’re now in July!

It got me thinking, when normality resumes (I live in hope…), could I keep up this habit of spending less? And if I did, what could I do with the savings?

For lots of us our spending habits have changed during lockdown, as we’ve reprioritised what we spend our money on. Lockdown might even have helped highlight what’s important to you and what you’re willing to part with your hard-earned cash for.

We all know we should review our finances regularly, but how many of us really do? I found once you’ve done it for the first time and you see the potential savings you can make it really spurs you on to check your outgoings regularly and try to keep up your good habits.

So what can you do to take up the challenge?

Review your direct debits
Are they all necessary? Are you paying for subscriptions or memberships that you no longer need? I’ve replaced a gym membership with online classes which has saved me a tidy sum each month. Reviewing your TV package and looking at your mortgage rate can add up to hundreds of pounds of savings across the year. But please make sure you know exactly what you’re cancelling before you do – you don’t want to find out too late that you’ve cancelled insurance that you really need!

You are what you eat
Lockdown has forced lots of us to do more cooking and even inspired me to try recreating my favourite takeaways. Before lockdown, I’d often spend £10 a day on food and coffee, but home-cooked lunches, even if they’re just leftovers from last night’s dinner, have helped me save a packet so far. And they taste great too! I mean, who doesn’t love second day lasagne, right?

Making and taking your own coffee can also save you loads. My sister was splurging her way through a student loan but couldn’t understand why. Turns out the innocuous coffees she was buying after each class added up to over £200 a month!

Would like to meet
Lockdown has highlighted how we socialise and what’s important. It’s made me realise I don’t need to spend a fortune in a bar or restaurant to enjoy a really good time with friends or family. Spending quality time and not money is something I’ll definitely look to continue once restrictions are lifted!

And this has been true for the time we’ve spent together as a family too. I used to feel I had to plan elaborate daytrips for my children, which inevitably ended in exiting through every parent’s nightmare – the shop! But I’ve realised that given the choice, my children prefer being at home and creating their own adventures.

APPreciate your money
With everything that’s happening just now it can be easy to lose sight of where you’re spending your money. I’ve found paying with cards rather than cash really helps me keep track of my spending. And budgeting apps like Yolt, Money Dashboard, and Loot can help you manage where your money’s going and highlight where you can make savings.

Make it work for you
Lots of employers have workplace discount schemes, but few of us actually use them regularly. An employee survey we ran recently for a company, found that only 5% of their employees regularly used their company discount scheme and 50% had never used it at all! Check if your employer has one and save it in your favourites on your computer or just put a post-it note on your screen to remind you to use it until you get into the habit.

It’s also worth checking if your company has a cashplan, or dental care plan you can take advantage of. The savings from these can really add up!

Let us know if you’re going to take up the challenge and share your saving tips!

An Easter to remember! Some fun ideas for a lockdown family Easter

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For many of us, Easter is usually a time to unwind with family, catch up with loved ones and enjoy some quality time together. But Easter 2020 is no ordinary Easter. We’ve been in ‘lockdown’ for three weeks and for some, holiday plans won’t be as hoped and the kids (and for that matter, parents too!) are ready for a break!

But Easter gives us a great opportunity to focus on something a little different, with loads of resources out there to help us entertain the kids and make this time together special and memorable. Here’s a few suggestions for things to do this Easter:

Get baking! Don the aprons and raid the cupboards – there’s so many things you can make together no matter what your level of culinary expertise is (pretty low here!), from colourful Easter biscuits and chocolate nests to hot cross buns and Easter simnel cake if you’re feeling adventurous! There are lots of great recipes available at www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/easter-baking to suit everybody’s needs.

No Easter would be complete without an Easter egg hunt! Without doubt my daughters’ favourite Easter tradition (I wonder why!) and it’s easy to set up – but you can make it as easy or as complicated as you like depending on the age of your kids (or how much energy you want to put into it!), what space you have available give current restrictions (and the weather!), and how much chocolate you want them to consume! There are some great options to help you which are available in the supermarkets and also online at www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/blog/10-easter-egg-hunt-ideas-free-easter-egg-hunt-kit, www.madeformums.com/school-and-family/easter-egg-hunt-clues/ and www.thepurplepumpkinblog.co.uk/easter-egg-hunt-kit-free-printables/

Feeling creative? There’s so many ways to get crafty and creative at Easter and it’s one of my favourite times of the year for this because there’s so much inspiration around – whether you want to make an Easter bonnet, create colourful Easter pictures or get interactive online, you’ll be able to keep the kids happy for hours! Some of our favourites are www.thepurplepumpkinblog.co.uk/free-easter-printables/ and www.wiseoceans.com/dive-into-the-classroom/eggcellent-easter-activities/ for something a bit different.

Games for all the family – why not play some games, especially if the weather’s nice and we can get outside in the garden! You could have a family egg and spoon race (with real, decorated eggs, if you dare!), create an obstacle course or head back indoors and play some family board games.

Whatever you’re doing this Easter, we hope you have a relaxing and fun time together (even if some of it is via video call!) – and stay safe. We’d love to see your pictures – share what you got up to in the comments.

Finding a new ‘normal’

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What a very surreal few days/weeks it’s been! Adapting to a new normal, with restricted movements and trying to ensure that we and our loved ones, and wider community, stay safe and well.

We’re all learning quickly, finding what works for us, and how to stay sane and look after our wellbeing during this worrying and difficult time.

After a week of us all being at home together, I feel like we’re getting a handle on it (most of the time!) and these are some things I’ve learnt so far (it’s been a rollercoaster!):

  • Everybody’s ‘normal’ will be different. It took us a few days to suss out what we all need from our day to make it work so everyone’s kept reasonably happy (two of us working from home with two young daughters about – had to lower my expectations, too!), and that will look different for all of us depending on our circumstances. Think about the key things you need in your day to make it positive and productive, both for your working life and home life (food/fresh air/to-do lists/chatting with friends, family and colleagues/wine etc!). Accept that there will be good days and bad days through this!

  • If you’re working from home, make sure you get your set-up as right for you as you can, and ideally somewhere you can walk away from/close the door on! I’m used to working from home, but I’ve invested in some new equipment to make it much more comfortable and a nicer experience. Remember to switch off from work – our working and home lives are now very intertwined, but we need down time now as much as ever. It’s easy to keep nipping back to the laptop (guilty!) so set boundaries and stick to them.

  • Take regular breaks and stay connected – at work you’d have a chat with colleagues that would naturally break up your day and you’d take a lunch break, or you’d see your friends at the school gate, meet up for dinner or head to the pub for drinks. So make sure you add breaks into your day to take a breather, move around if you’ve been sat at a desk, and arrange those virtual catch-ups with friends and family.

  • Do something for you! For me it’s going for a run or taking my daughters and dog out for a walk/run and I strongly believe that for as long as we’re allowed, this is one of the best things we can do for our mental and physical wellbeing – I will certainly be a better Mum/person for it and better able to deal with this bizarre situation. Social distancing rules applied at all times, obviously!

  • Home learning with the kids – we’re not a school! I’ve very quickly realised I have to take the pressure off. Both of us trying to work and keep two daughters happy is way more challenging than I’d expected! So we’ve now got a daily schedule for the whole family, factoring in any work calls/commitments, and then we split our day up to take it in shifts with our daughters (traditional working hours have gone out of the window!) that is a mixture of ‘learning’ activities and play time, and making sure we can still do our jobs as best we can. The kids need structure, as do we, and this has helped massively. But our schedule is simple and flexible. We’re not a school (although my husband is a teacher – but as someone pointed out the other day, that’s not the relationship they have, he’s their Dad!) and this is our home, so we have to find a happy medium that suits us all.

  • Focus on the positives! A slower pace of life, no commute, more time at home, saving money – at the most unsettling of times, we’ve been given the opportunity to slow down and to focus on the important stuff. There’s so many amazing acts of kindness and people really pulling together as a community – it’s heart-warming!

Have you got any other tips to share to help others through this challenging time?