This time last year we'd only been in lockdown for a few months. And I ended up sharing my Some Good Things During Lockdown That I've Been Focusing On blog post. Even though the world is slowly but surely starting to get a bit more back to normal, I've still been trying to focus on the little things.
So I thought that I would do a 2021 version of my Some Good Things During Lockdown blog post, since we are still living with and under restrictions.
And here are those good things;
Getting my first vaccine
I didn't think that I'd be getting my first vaccine until at least August, given the government projections and the fact that I am just one year shy of the over 30 age bracket. But I got a letter through to say that as I live with someone who has been shielding (my brother has Crohn's Disease) I was now eligible. And that I should call the helpline to set up an appointment. Within a week I was vaccinated with my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Thankfully about a week later the vaccine rollout was opened up to anyone aged 18-39 in Glasgow because of the hotspots and rising numbers in the city. So it is well worth checking if the vaccine is now available for you, regardless of where you live in the country. The only side effect that I had was sore arm for about 3 days. I couldn't really sleep on that arm for 2 nights. But I was more than happy that that was my only side effect.
Finally having shorter hair
I hadn't had my hair cut since February 2020 and to say that it was unmanageable was an understatement. Life is just much easier when I have shorter hair. And this is actually the shortest it has ever been in my adult life.
My natural curls come back when it's shorter plus it dries, either naturally or with the help of a hairdryer, ten times quicker. It's also easier to just leave it to do its own thing in the mornings. And I am all for that lazier life.
Olivia Rodrigo's album
Is there anyone out there that isn't obsessed with at least one song from Olivia Rodrigo's debut album? I honestly cannot get Good 4 U, Deja Vu, Enough For You, Drivers License. And well, the whole album, out of my head.
Chicago Fire & Severide/Casey specifically
You might remember me raving about Chicago Fire in my first What I've Been Watching post of 2021. But since then I have quickly made my way through hundreds of episodes. And I'm just about to start the latest season, season 9. If you've not already given it a watch, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I'm also not exactly sure why, maybe it has something to do with the fact that I watch it right before bed. But a good majority of my dreams have been Chicago Fire focused lately. They mostly revolve around some kind of Severide rescue fantasy but now Casey is the leading man in them. If you watch, who is your favourite out of the two?
Warmer weather & spring flowers
Being in full lockdown at the start of 2021 was tough and this was mainly due to the horrible and cold weather for me. But now that the sun is starting to shine a little bit more and flowers are in bloom, it just makes each day that bit easier. That and being able to get my big walk each day without struggling against the wind/rain/hail.
WHAT I'VE BEEN WEARING
And I had to take the opportunity to get a snap of my beautiful new Daisy London rings from the Estee Lalonde collection when these purple flowers appeared. I am particularly obsessed with the Sunburst Signet Ring. How gorgeous are they?
Reacquainting myself with the library (without having to leave the house or any late fees)
If you've been following my 2021 Goodreads Reading Challenge blog posts, you will know that this year I discovered the fact that you can borrow e-books for free from the library. And I have already saved myself some serious ££ by reading some of the biggest new releases and books that I've had on my TBR list for ages for free thanks to the library.
WHAT I'VE BEEN READING FROM THE LIBRARY
If you don't already utilise it, you are seriously missing out. Plus, it is weirdly thrilling waiting for books that you are in the queue for to become available. I waited around 16 weeks for my turn to read The Midnight Library. And it was well worth the wait.
Sticking to my Low Buy Year
You might remember me mentioning that I'm doing a Low Buy Year in an earlier blog post. And so far I have been able to stick to it pretty rigidly. Other than replacing items such as socks with holes in them, essential beauty items and underwear, etc. I have only made five 'want' purchases since the start of the year. I've taken notes on whether I regret any of the purchases and more, ready to share how I got on at the end of the year. But I've already changed my outlook on shopping completely and we're only six months in.
I've been taking photos of things that I would ordinarily have bought. Such as this Louis Theroux notebook that I found in TK Maxx for £4.99. I already have more than enough notebooks and £4.99 here and £10 here all adds up. And if I take a photo of something I can really reflect on whether I need it or not.
Already completing my Goodreads challenge
I aimed to read 29 books this year, since I turned 29 in 2021. And I still can't quite believe that I have already met and surpassed that goal.
Reading and escaping into different stories, lives and worlds has been something that has made a big difference in how good or bad I feel each day. If I'm feeling frustrated, bored or I'm just not sure what to be doing next, I immediately grab my Kindle and get reading.
What are some good things that you've been focusing on recently? Is anyone else enjoying reading more than ever at the moment? And what will be the first thing that you do when lockdown is *fingers crossed* eventually lifted?
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