Surviving Winter (& COVID) - What Keeps You Going?
Discussion
I have found myself being increasingly bored, distracted and generally grumpy and fed up (more than usual lol) in the last few weeks. Some of it is the shorter days, the lockdown is dragging on and the general media doom and gloom doesn't help. I'm WFH full time which is OK but need to fill the evenings and weekends.
Through the summer me and Mrs J4 have been busy with the house (lots of decorating) and garden, done plenty of trips away in our motorhome, used the Capri a fair bit, enjoying our lockdown puppy and watching a lot of catch up TV. Now we are well into November, the outside stuff is restricted to the weekends, not being able to go out is really wearing thin and although I do love a good film or TV drama, sitting in front of the box is no longer the enjoyment it once was. Usually at this time of year we'd be out and about visiting friends and family, pubbing and eating out etc. Can't do any of that at the moment.
To try to distract myself I've found that classic cars and such like are helping to keep me moderately sane. I've been reading more classic car magazines, surfing YouTube for interesting car content (get totally lost in anything Group B Rally) endlessly browsing the classifieds trying to decide what I want to buy next (Aston V8V, Jaguar XJ/K-R, Ford Puma etc) scrolling through online classic car auction catalogs, watching back to back episodes of Bangers and Cash, planning for jobs to do on the Capri over the winter (re-build all the front suspension and give the brake system a once over) and generally getting lost in a classic car world of nostalgia.
So my question to all of you is, how do you all cope with the winter months and what do you do to fill your time until Spring arrives?
Through the summer me and Mrs J4 have been busy with the house (lots of decorating) and garden, done plenty of trips away in our motorhome, used the Capri a fair bit, enjoying our lockdown puppy and watching a lot of catch up TV. Now we are well into November, the outside stuff is restricted to the weekends, not being able to go out is really wearing thin and although I do love a good film or TV drama, sitting in front of the box is no longer the enjoyment it once was. Usually at this time of year we'd be out and about visiting friends and family, pubbing and eating out etc. Can't do any of that at the moment.
To try to distract myself I've found that classic cars and such like are helping to keep me moderately sane. I've been reading more classic car magazines, surfing YouTube for interesting car content (get totally lost in anything Group B Rally) endlessly browsing the classifieds trying to decide what I want to buy next (Aston V8V, Jaguar XJ/K-R, Ford Puma etc) scrolling through online classic car auction catalogs, watching back to back episodes of Bangers and Cash, planning for jobs to do on the Capri over the winter (re-build all the front suspension and give the brake system a once over) and generally getting lost in a classic car world of nostalgia.
So my question to all of you is, how do you all cope with the winter months and what do you do to fill your time until Spring arrives?
Very different for me as opposed to March, I was on furlough for two months back then, this time I started university in September so I am now mainly focusing on doing assignments and going in two days a week currently. I am struggling a bit now, to be honest. Other half teaches so she is out the full day.
I tend to get up, shower, do some work until 10 am then take the dog for a decent walk. Spend most of the afternoon working and tend to break it up with a coffee or some house work. I don't really watch television. The days are starting to mould into one now and I'm becoming increasingly irritated. I suppose we are mostly all in the same boat and just have to hold it together.
It's OH's birthday on Friday so I am hoping a cocktail night and some family Zoom time will be a little fun in the midst of all this.
I tend to get up, shower, do some work until 10 am then take the dog for a decent walk. Spend most of the afternoon working and tend to break it up with a coffee or some house work. I don't really watch television. The days are starting to mould into one now and I'm becoming increasingly irritated. I suppose we are mostly all in the same boat and just have to hold it together.
It's OH's birthday on Friday so I am hoping a cocktail night and some family Zoom time will be a little fun in the midst of all this.
It's so similar for me here OP, and our hobbies/routines sound similar too! I am trying to keep my self engaged by doing jobs on my classic MR2, walking the dog, some house jobs, but I am getting fed up with TV and need some social interaction.
I am a mountain biker, so still go out with my son or one friend at the weekend, but have bought a smart turbo trainer and joined Zwift which is entertaining and rewarding at the same time. Not a cheap investment, but work it for sanity. You can really get into the social side if you want to (I haven't yet but am doing Group rides).
I find I feel so much better after some exercise, even if it's a very short run. Thought about Lego? That's a good way to burn a few evenings. There are some great car sets.
I am a mountain biker, so still go out with my son or one friend at the weekend, but have bought a smart turbo trainer and joined Zwift which is entertaining and rewarding at the same time. Not a cheap investment, but work it for sanity. You can really get into the social side if you want to (I haven't yet but am doing Group rides).
I find I feel so much better after some exercise, even if it's a very short run. Thought about Lego? That's a good way to burn a few evenings. There are some great car sets.
I find it helps to focus on the winter solstice - which is 21st December. From that point on the evenings start to get longer. It's less than 5 weeks away from today. I know it's only a state of mind thing, and it doesn't actually translate into doing anything, but I do find it really helpful.
Combine that with the fact that it almost co-incides with Xmas / New Year and you can split winter into two parts - before New Year and after New Year. Deal with the before New Year in the best way you can, and then after New Year focus on the evenings getting longer and the upcoming spring and summer.
Combine that with the fact that it almost co-incides with Xmas / New Year and you can split winter into two parts - before New Year and after New Year. Deal with the before New Year in the best way you can, and then after New Year focus on the evenings getting longer and the upcoming spring and summer.
I've been working from home since March. I love it but I understand how you feel now that we can't go anywhere or do much outside the home. Personally this has never been a problem for me as I'm quite lazy in my downtime and more than happy to watch Netflix, listen to Spotify or play COD all night. My friends and I get together a lot in the evenings when the family is in bed and lose 3 or 4 hours gaming.
Before lock down I took up walking/hiking with some friends. I'm lucky I live in Northumberland and we have some amazing places to walk so most Sundays are spend doing a good 10 mile walk. Family wise, we also did a lot of day trips which I'm not sure we are allowed to do right now. I'm actually looking at campervans for more day trips out and weekends away with my youngest.
In truth, I'm more than happy doing very little as long as I'm not at work but my next door neighbour who works ridiculous hours, has no clue what to do in the very small periods of time he is actually in the house. He is really struggling that he can't go out or do much.
Before lock down I took up walking/hiking with some friends. I'm lucky I live in Northumberland and we have some amazing places to walk so most Sundays are spend doing a good 10 mile walk. Family wise, we also did a lot of day trips which I'm not sure we are allowed to do right now. I'm actually looking at campervans for more day trips out and weekends away with my youngest.
In truth, I'm more than happy doing very little as long as I'm not at work but my next door neighbour who works ridiculous hours, has no clue what to do in the very small periods of time he is actually in the house. He is really struggling that he can't go out or do much.
omniflow said:
I find it helps to focus on the winter solstice - which is 21st December. From that point on the evenings start to get longer. It's less than 5 weeks away from today. I know it's only a state of mind thing, and it doesn't actually translate into doing anything, but I do find it really helpful.
I'm the same. I've got a countdown widget on my phone that has a list of things I'm looking forward to, and I'm far more confident that the things that are events will actually happen, it's only 33 days until the Solstice, 103 until the first day of Spring (meteorological) 130 days until BST, 195 to summer (meteorological) 215 until the longest day plus I've got my 2021 hols in there etc.Living in Wales means lockdown is over for us as the moment, but there are few material differences to me, I don't like shopping and rarely go to the pub anyway. I feel lucky that I still actually go into work, I hated WFH, but with my Wife likely to be based at home between patient visits now permanently we're looking at different options on creating a home office, none are cheap, but they all need a lot of planning that keeping me busy.
Other than that I'm staying busy on my MTB, I got home at around 9pm after a couple of hours of sliding around in the mud, in the dark, on a desolate Welsh Hillside alone. Despite all evidence to the contrary, it was actually fun. Pretty soon it'll be too cold/wet/miserable even for me, I quite fancy one of those new xBoxes.
I have a young family and a wife that is under a lot of work pressure, so I dream of a bit of boredom...
In my winter free time:
DIY
Building a Toylander
Building (2) model boats
3D printer, I have loads of ideas for stuff to make, some for me, some for the family some for sale.
I also have an idea for a small business which it would be nice to have some time to look into.
I have loads of other projects I want to do too, winter is a good time to research, design, look at trial designs, start acquiring parts etc.
In my winter free time:
DIY
Building a Toylander
Building (2) model boats
3D printer, I have loads of ideas for stuff to make, some for me, some for the family some for sale.
I also have an idea for a small business which it would be nice to have some time to look into.
I have loads of other projects I want to do too, winter is a good time to research, design, look at trial designs, start acquiring parts etc.
j4r4lly said:
I have found myself being increasingly bored, distracted and generally grumpy and fed up (more than usual lol) in the last few weeks. Some of it is the shorter days, the lockdown is dragging on and the general media doom and gloom doesn't help. I'm WFH full time which is OK but need to fill the evenings and weekends.
Through the summer me and Mrs J4 have been busy with the house (lots of decorating) and garden, done plenty of trips away in our motorhome, used the Capri a fair bit, enjoying our lockdown puppy and watching a lot of catch up TV. Now we are well into November, the outside stuff is restricted to the weekends, not being able to go out is really wearing thin and although I do love a good film or TV drama, sitting in front of the box is no longer the enjoyment it once was. Usually at this time of year we'd be out and about visiting friends and family, pubbing and eating out etc. Can't do any of that at the moment.
To try to distract myself I've found that classic cars and such like are helping to keep me moderately sane. I've been reading more classic car magazines, surfing YouTube for interesting car content (get totally lost in anything Group B Rally) endlessly browsing the classifieds trying to decide what I want to buy next (Aston V8V, Jaguar XJ/K-R, Ford Puma etc) scrolling through online classic car auction catalogs, watching back to back episodes of Bangers and Cash, planning for jobs to do on the Capri over the winter (re-build all the front suspension and give the brake system a once over) and generally getting lost in a classic car world of nostalgia.
So my question to all of you is, how do you all cope with the winter months and what do you do to fill your time until Spring arrives?
Like you, I WFH most of the time. Through the summer me and Mrs J4 have been busy with the house (lots of decorating) and garden, done plenty of trips away in our motorhome, used the Capri a fair bit, enjoying our lockdown puppy and watching a lot of catch up TV. Now we are well into November, the outside stuff is restricted to the weekends, not being able to go out is really wearing thin and although I do love a good film or TV drama, sitting in front of the box is no longer the enjoyment it once was. Usually at this time of year we'd be out and about visiting friends and family, pubbing and eating out etc. Can't do any of that at the moment.
To try to distract myself I've found that classic cars and such like are helping to keep me moderately sane. I've been reading more classic car magazines, surfing YouTube for interesting car content (get totally lost in anything Group B Rally) endlessly browsing the classifieds trying to decide what I want to buy next (Aston V8V, Jaguar XJ/K-R, Ford Puma etc) scrolling through online classic car auction catalogs, watching back to back episodes of Bangers and Cash, planning for jobs to do on the Capri over the winter (re-build all the front suspension and give the brake system a once over) and generally getting lost in a classic car world of nostalgia.
So my question to all of you is, how do you all cope with the winter months and what do you do to fill your time until Spring arrives?
My method:
1) Ignore (as much as is possible) the media. There are many studies that show constant media consumption is bad for mental health. I now take an approach whereby I only read a quality source of journalism at the weekend.
2) Get outside! During winter, there's more limited time, but it's still possible to don the wellington boots and go for a muddy walk in the countryside for a few hours. Lots of fresh air and no distraction of phones, the Internet and so on great.
3) Focus on having quality time with the family. After a long weekend walk, I like to sit in front of the log burner and talk, play board games and watch the occasional program on Netflix.
4) Find hobbies to keep you occupied. Funnily enough, I'm in the process of buying a Jaguar XK and this will no doubt keep me occupied for a few weekends cleaning and sorting bits and getting used to the car. Hopefully we'll have some crisp sunny mornings post-lockdown where I can go for some nice drives in the country.
As mentioned, ignore the media. I've never experienced so much utter crap and poor reporting coming from previously credible media sources. I guess they've little else to cover so it's inevitable to a degree. Either way....
Actually, don't ignore it totally - be selective.
Beyond that, learn something. There's an abundance of online learning opportunities out there - all for free. And I"m talking life-improving stuff - courses you can sink yourself into and come out the other side an improved person.
Have a look at Massive Online Open Courses as a starter: https://www.mooc.org
And get outside. Put daylight on your skin and fresh air in your lungs. Target 10,000 steps a day.
Actually, don't ignore it totally - be selective.
Beyond that, learn something. There's an abundance of online learning opportunities out there - all for free. And I"m talking life-improving stuff - courses you can sink yourself into and come out the other side an improved person.
Have a look at Massive Online Open Courses as a starter: https://www.mooc.org
And get outside. Put daylight on your skin and fresh air in your lungs. Target 10,000 steps a day.
I agree with the above posts about avoiding consuming too much news/media.
I've always been a fairly avid consumer of news and current affairs. I like to know pretty much all I can about what is going on in the world, what is happing with financial markets, business news, and so on. Even to the point of news being my main reason to check Facebook everyday to see articles and also read public comments on news and current affairs.
I found myself getting a bit depressed about it all over the last couple of months, and I was trying to play out scenarios in my head, and think about what would happen next with Covid/Brexit/business etc and it all got on top of me a bit.
I've now stopped reading or watching news on a daily basis, and just try to have a brief scan of the headlines and a few articles on a weekend. I have also mostly stopped looking at social media, as quite frankly it is just becoming a gathering point for conspiracy nutcases if you read the comments under any news article.
Can honestly say I feel a lot better now I've put the brakes on constant news and information. The only thing I watch on TV now is a few series on Netflix plus documentaries etc.
News and social media aside, I find that going out for a walk with my wife most evenings is really good. Getting out of the house is really important. We usually do anywhere from 30 mins to a couple of hours each evening.
I've always been a fairly avid consumer of news and current affairs. I like to know pretty much all I can about what is going on in the world, what is happing with financial markets, business news, and so on. Even to the point of news being my main reason to check Facebook everyday to see articles and also read public comments on news and current affairs.
I found myself getting a bit depressed about it all over the last couple of months, and I was trying to play out scenarios in my head, and think about what would happen next with Covid/Brexit/business etc and it all got on top of me a bit.
I've now stopped reading or watching news on a daily basis, and just try to have a brief scan of the headlines and a few articles on a weekend. I have also mostly stopped looking at social media, as quite frankly it is just becoming a gathering point for conspiracy nutcases if you read the comments under any news article.
Can honestly say I feel a lot better now I've put the brakes on constant news and information. The only thing I watch on TV now is a few series on Netflix plus documentaries etc.
News and social media aside, I find that going out for a walk with my wife most evenings is really good. Getting out of the house is really important. We usually do anywhere from 30 mins to a couple of hours each evening.
Some great responses so far - thanks.
We do get out a fair bit as we walk the dog 3 times a day during the week and try to do longer walks at the weekends. We are in rural Essex so have lots of nice places to walk. We were cycling a fair bit but the weather and having the puppy has put that to bed for the time being. I do enjoy pottering around the garage with some music on and sometimes even sit in the Capri and listen to some ancient 1980's cassette tapes while drinking a cuppa.
I think the whole lockdown thing is bearing down on us all. Unless we get a genuinely effective vaccine then I can see us coming out of LD and then when cases spiral again, going back into further restrictions. It's difficult to deal with the restrictions when we have been so fortunate to have had decades of personal freedom that we probably all took for granted.
Cars and increasingly classics, have been a feature in my life for as long as I can remember. When all else fails and I need somewhere to escape to (psychologically, not literally) it's been cars that have been my "go to" place. There are plenty of other things - reading, music, studying, decorating, walking, cycling, pets and family - but I have to reluctantly admit to having what is probably a bit of an obsession regarding all things automotive.
December 21 is not that far off now and then the evening gradually start to draw out again. Happy days!
I find it can be hard getting out the house but worth it once you're out. Just simple things like throwing the frisbee for the dog and pushing minime on the swings.
We're still visiting family so 3 or 4 nights a week we're atleast out the house, it would break me spending 7 evenings a week in the same house.
Other than that, built a small home gym and the Transporter needs a couple of wishbone before it eats it's front tyres. Just applied for an allotment too but guessing that won't be available for a while.
Edit. And failing miserably to make sourdough bread.
We're still visiting family so 3 or 4 nights a week we're atleast out the house, it would break me spending 7 evenings a week in the same house.
Other than that, built a small home gym and the Transporter needs a couple of wishbone before it eats it's front tyres. Just applied for an allotment too but guessing that won't be available for a while.
Edit. And failing miserably to make sourdough bread.
Edited by ChocolateFrog on Wednesday 18th November 11:02
Cycling was saving me over the summer, finish work about 5 (WFH) and straight out for a ride, came back feeling so much better, trouble is was having a couple of beers each time, which is great but kncoked that on the head as its not a great habiot to get into.
Was worried the riding was going to come to an end, got good lights so go out but spent a grand on a bike trainer called a "Kickr" so doing an hour on that most days. Get out for a walk with the dog and instead of the usual route am pushing it to do 2 or 3 miles, stick a podcast on and its great. Its working as dropping a bit of weight, not piled it on but a bit has crept on.
Set myself up for the new MS Flight Sim, spent £1500 on upgrades but have stopped bothering as when I finish work after 8/9 hours I struggle to face sitting at the same desk doing something else. Need to do that again.
Got a Lego Mustang for my birthday, so a few evenings doing that, at fifty sitting cross legged on the floor isnt as easy as when I was 12
also, my eyes arent quite as good close up, but I managed and may buy another, only problem is where to put them once done.
I volunteer on the old airliners at Manchester Airport, but thats on hold for now but its a good way to kill a saturday, bring work home with me on that if I can, had to make some landing light brackets to fit on the Trident so ad to design and make those, lot of cutting, welding, filing, drilling etc which killed a few evenings.
Might go back to running when I get a few more pounds off, missing the gym as was a big part of our lives, the wife does loads of running and onine classes but I havent got round to that, need to do something though, other than cycling.
YouTube is fantastic, can go down various rabbit holes and learn all sorts, got my various subscriptions, watched a bearded bloke eating superhuman amounts of food last night, but generally its more technical or historical, that then spurs your own research.
Bit of Xbox, few box sets , rewatching the Uk Shameless, pretty good but gets hard going after ten series.
Was worried the riding was going to come to an end, got good lights so go out but spent a grand on a bike trainer called a "Kickr" so doing an hour on that most days. Get out for a walk with the dog and instead of the usual route am pushing it to do 2 or 3 miles, stick a podcast on and its great. Its working as dropping a bit of weight, not piled it on but a bit has crept on.
Set myself up for the new MS Flight Sim, spent £1500 on upgrades but have stopped bothering as when I finish work after 8/9 hours I struggle to face sitting at the same desk doing something else. Need to do that again.
Got a Lego Mustang for my birthday, so a few evenings doing that, at fifty sitting cross legged on the floor isnt as easy as when I was 12
also, my eyes arent quite as good close up, but I managed and may buy another, only problem is where to put them once done.I volunteer on the old airliners at Manchester Airport, but thats on hold for now but its a good way to kill a saturday, bring work home with me on that if I can, had to make some landing light brackets to fit on the Trident so ad to design and make those, lot of cutting, welding, filing, drilling etc which killed a few evenings.
Might go back to running when I get a few more pounds off, missing the gym as was a big part of our lives, the wife does loads of running and onine classes but I havent got round to that, need to do something though, other than cycling.
YouTube is fantastic, can go down various rabbit holes and learn all sorts, got my various subscriptions, watched a bearded bloke eating superhuman amounts of food last night, but generally its more technical or historical, that then spurs your own research.
Bit of Xbox, few box sets , rewatching the Uk Shameless, pretty good but gets hard going after ten series.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff