10 things to do in lockdown

Finished spring cleaning, re-organising your record collection, got all your books in alphabetical order...socks all colour coded and neatly put away..??....Then this list is for you..

 

1. Practice a random act of kindness (PRANK) .. it could be supporting local take away business, or just messaging someone.  Think of someone who might help and do something for them.

 

2. Exercise. Go for walk and count the number of people not wearing masks. Amuse yourself by coughing and spluttering when you get within 20 metres of them. Watch their reaction. Follow them ....increasing your pace as they head off in another direction. 

 

3. Do that thing you know that it needs to be done, but you keep putting it off. Set a time and date to get it done. Avoid procrastination. This lockdown will be over and you may not have anything to show for it !!

 

4. Improve your education. Check out TED on the internet. 

 

5. Draw a line on a page. This represents your life, so write zero at start of line (birth) and estimate end of line. Write the number that you think you will live to at end of line. Now put an "X" on the line where you are now. Now write down on the LHS four things that have achieved or is meaningful for you. Now on the RHS (your remaining estimated life) write down what you want to achieve. Then plan to do it. 

 

6. Improve your character. The 4 way test is for internal consumption, not something for judging others. Have a 4 way card in mind as you make your day-to- day decisions. "Nothing nice to say?" then "say nothing" is a good start for most of us.

 

7. Be gentle with yourself. Montaigne (the philosopher, not the singer) spent most of his life in lockdown in his library on the farm analysing day to day life and making some remarkable life observations. Realise that in the end we are all "worm bait" and try not be too critical about your perceived failures. Most good folk are too busy worrying about their failures to notice yours. 

 

8. Learn a skill. You Tube is a great resource. It's improved a certain scribes putting skills no end. (This may not be entirely true, but he is missing much closer than before.)

 

9. Make lists. There's nothing more satisfying than crossing things off list. Tip: use noun and verb for itemising. Use legible writing. 

 

10. Establish a routine. Habits are reassuring for our mental health .......as long as they don't develop into OCD .......which is a real possibility if these bloody lockdowns continue!

 

See you at the other end of the lockdown.