Lockdown has meant that bank holidays are no longer what they once were, with the exception of Easter, which was pretty much the same as always with me sat in my pyjamas and scoffing Easter eggs. May Bank Holiday is usually one of my favourites in the year and I thought I could compile a few trusty ideas to help you get the most out of your day off spent in isolation. So if you’re not sure what to do during May Bank Holiday at home, read on…
What to do during May Bank Holiday at Home
1. Have a BBQ
I bet when you read that you though ‘woah, we can’t Victoria, we’re in isolation!’, but fear not. Having a BBQ does not have to involve you inviting friends and family over but is a great way to spend may bank holiday at home. It can just be with the people you live with and a tonne of good meats, halloumi (obviously), salads and beer to go around. Why not make it an occasion and put music on whilst you chill in the garden enjoying the (hopefully) sunny weather. If you do not have a garden or a BBQ, then nothing is stopping you from using your hobs to cook very similar food, which you can still make an occasion of.
2. Zoom your friends
One of the special things about May Bank Holiday is that it’s a perfect time to go out and see friends, however as I am sure you’ll realise, 2020 has to be a little bit different. So, why not use the day as a chance for a much-needed catch up with your friends and host a Zoom party? You can either use it for just a catch up or even host a pub quiz for everyone? You will be amazed at how many people join in and also how much better you will feel afterwards. It really helps with the isolation blues, trust me!
3. DIY Jobs
Since being isolated, Jack and I have spent a lot of time doing DIY jobs around the house which had been on our to-do list for ages. We just never had the time to do them (or maybe we were putting them off..). We’ve now managed to paint a beautiful welsh dresser which we bought for next to nothing in a charity shop, as well as our decking and pergola in our garden. If you fancy a more productive day, then maybe this is for you, especially if, like us, you have recently bought a place and want to make it feel more like home.
4. Movie Marathon
Should the weather not be nice (let’s face it, this is England!), then grab your blankets and snacks and pick some films to binge watch. Having just bought Disney+, we have loads of films right at our fingertips, including all the Star Wars and Marvel films, both incredibly binge-worthy. I feel that we can also include top shows such as Suits, You or Game of Thrones in this category too, which, if you are a key worker and are working tirelessly, could be just what you need on a Bank Holiday. Or if you fancy some travel inspiration why not check out my latest Youtube Videos or watch one of these great travel TV shows!
5. Gardening
Going with the hope that the weather will be nice, getting outside into your garden can really make a difference to your day. In the last few weeks at the weekend, I have made the most of getting out into the sunshine and planting various plants which I bought from a local garden centre. It’s not just the therapeutic action of doing it, but even now sitting in my living room and looking out at our garden and seeing the colour pops that come out really brightens my mood during this time. Also, if you’re young and you’ve never even thought about doing gardening, get out there and try it – you’ll love it, I promise <3
6. Play a Game
One of the silver-linings of isolation is that you have time to do things which you never used to, and one of these has to be sitting down and playing a good old fashioned board game. Whilst Monopoly is still a firm favourite of mine, especially the twisty Game of Thrones edition, I have taken it upon myself to learn how to play Risk during this time. It’s a fun and exciting game to learn and really can make an hour or two fly by. Another option has to be a fun card game which can be played within your household. If you have access to it, why not play poker with your entire family, but instead of money you barter with chores… Could make it very interesting!
7. Read a Book
Reading is, unfortunately, one of those things that I really enjoy doing, but just never have the time for. With isolation, weekends now allow me to sit in the sunshine and read either a good book or a blog post from one of my favourite bloggers. As things to do for May Bank Holiday go, reading has to be up there in things I am most looking forward to doing. My aim is to pick up a few classics from my bookshelf and get lost in their pages.
8. Get Creative
I absolutely adore getting creative, whether that be painting (if you follow me on Instagram, you would have noticed lots of new watercolour symbols!), editing photos or videos and even doing a spot of DIY. For me, painting is a way to fully immerse myself into my artistic mindset and has actually really helped me not worry about the awful situation happening right now around the world. If you, like me, often find it difficult to not feel anxious about the circumstances at present, getting creative truly will change your world around. There really is no better remedy.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the post! I’d love to hear how you are planning to spend the Bank Holiday at home and whether you’ve found my suggestions helpful.
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Love Victoria X
