My Take On Lockdown 2.0

As far as national lockdowns go, this one wasn't entirely terrible...for me at least. On the eve of the lockdown, I packed my bags and hopped into my trusty Fiat 500 and drove 90 miles to my boyfriend's house, much to his delight I like to think. I was greeted with a much-needed hug, a friendly welcome from his family and then in classic Louise-style, I decided a nap was in order. Now I'm not going to bore you with every little detail of my life in lockdown. After all, nobody wants to hear about how I seldom managed to get out of bed before 11 (I'm working on it okay). I'll just review the best parts, of which there were a surprising amount.

Gallivanting Around The Cotswolds

Living right on the doorstep of the Cotswolds definitely has its perks, especially when a national lockdown is underway. Being an Area of Outstanding National Beauty, we were absolutely inundated with picturesque towns, adorable little villages and bewitching countryside to stroll through. Many a walk through the beautiful grounds of Blenheim were had with wildlife aplenty to be seen. And arguably, more importantly, an astounding array of dogs who couldn't believe their luck at the number of walks and attention they were suddenly receiving. These walks were unquestionably among the highlights of my lockdown so if you ever get the chance to escape to the Cotswolds for a day or two, you must make the most of the fantastic scenery it has to offer.

Bonding Time

While this may seem like a small and perhaps obvious aspect of my lockdown to include, it was probably the one that brought me the most joy. During the first lockdown, I, like a lot of people, had to spend a good two months away from my boyfriend. In some ways, we have been relatively long-distance from the beginning, driving up to see each other on our days off and then driving back 90 miles the next day to get back to work. Our conflicting work schedules meant weeks would go by, but we accepted this as the new norm. Now I'm not denying that this lockdown hasn't had its downs for a lot of people, myself included, but it has meant that I've got to spend a lot more uninterrupted time with him and his family. They fully welcomed me for the next month and made me feel right at home. I tried to repay them for their kindness any way I could by cooking and helping out when needed. So, on the off-chance, they are reading this, thank you for making me feel so welcome and for including me in your lockdown traditions. I will truly miss our inane dinner-time chats and Sunday quiz shenanigans.

The Best Burger I've Ever Had

Now this lockdown review wouldn't be complete without including the incredible institution that is Molly's Drive-Thru Diner. Just a short drive away, this diner was what was missing from my life, the glass slipper to my foot, the final piece of the puzzle. We were met with the fattest, juiciest, most drool-worthy burgers you have ever seen and that I have ever had the pleasure to consume. In a complete lapse of judgement, I decided to wear a white sweater, which as you might have guessed, didn't stay white for long. But none of that mattered, not while I held this God-like food in my hands. Tens across the board!

Confessions Of An Online Shopaholic

Now I'd like to think this place is a safe space. A space free from judgement and shame. It is with this in mind that I tell you about my online shopping addiction and how it took over my lockdown life. It all started with a harmless pair of joggers, after all, they are a lockdown staple. Soon enough, I found myself justifying buying all sorts of superfluous items. I got out of bed before 10 today, I deserve a new pair of shoes for that. I got an A on my assignment, I deserve a new coat for that. The list goes on...and on and on and on. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, those dreaded Black Friday sales starting making themselves known. "Up to 99% off", I'd hear them shout. "For a limited time only", they'd whisper in my ear. These words began to weave themselves into my subconscious, manifesting themselves as demons in my dreams, tempting me to buy all manners of unnecessary things. It was only when I received a text from my bank exclaiming that I had entered my overdraft, did I snap out of this haze. I am now slowly recovering and bracing myself for the dreaded Christmas shopping. Wish me luck!

Discovering The Magic Of Disney Plus

With every day starting to feel like Groundhog Day, I took it upon myself to spice things up. Bored of everything Netflix and Amazon Prime had to offer, I needed to find someplace else to satiate my binge-watching needs. As a lifelong fan of Disney, Marvel and Pixar films, I was delighted to discover the wonder that is Disney Plus. At the measly price of £5.99 a month, I could now watch everything from The Lion King to The Avengers to The Mandalorian. The Baby Yoda shaped hole in my heart was officially filled and I felt at peace with the world. The only problem I face now is which film to watch first because there are just too damn many! There's even a GroupWatch feature so if anyone wants to watch and sing along to every Disney film ever made, hit me up! It would save my poor boyfriend from watching them with me and my not so dulcet tones.

Movember

While I may not have approved of the 80's pornstar moustache my boyfriend was slowly but surely acquiring over November, I certainly approve of its message. For those of you that aren't aware of what it stands for, Movember is where men from all over the globe grow their moustaches out for the month of November to raise awareness and funds for men's health, whether this be mental or physical. As someone who lost someone very close to them this year to mental illness, this is something extremely close to my heart and it would mean a great deal to me if you could donate. If not for me, then for each and every man in your life whether they are in good health or not. I cannot stress enough the importance of checking up on those close to you so here's me sending nothing but love and positive vibes to you all in these uncertain times.

I hope everyone reading this hasn't struggled too much with lockdown, I know it hasn't been the easiest of rides. From here on out, just try to enjoy the little things in each day and be happy in the knowledge that there are better days ahead. Anyway, here's a picture of my adorable cat, Wibble, to hopefully put a smile on your face!