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It’s starting to feel like the end is in sight. Dare I say lockdown might soon be over? While the roadmap to recovery is still a long one, we can start to appreciate the little wins in life and there’s so much I’m looking forward to doing.

Hanging out with friends

The easing of restrictions on the 29^th means we’ll finally be able to hang out with friends again, even if it is in the garden. Personally, I’m looking forward to take out food on a picnic bench, and seeing my friends’ little ones in person rather than via video call. And with sunnier days on the horizon, this feels like the perfect tonic to lockdown.

Seeing family

Like many people, we haven’t seen my family since September. And it’s not something that will change anytime soon, but I’m looking forward to May when we’ll be able to visit and stay over. To be able to have a drink together, play silly family boardgames, watch a movie together and simply spend time as a family. It’s been too long.

Going to book club

Before lockdown, I was part of two book clubs, and while one has continued via Zoom throughout lockdown, I really miss our in-person events. It’s just not the same. We’ve got a lovely group of book enthusiasts and it’s just wonderful – and welcoming – to share that passion with like-minded people.

I have no idea when we might be able to meet in person again, so our virtual get togethers will have to do for now.

You can join our virtual book club here.

Going for food

Oh my goodness am I craving a good restaurant with excellent food. Home cooking just isn’t the same – especially if you’re like me and not that talented in the kitchen. Nothing beats a meal cooked by someone else, right?     

And with so many businesses having struggled over the last year, the enthusiasm to try new places is taking over. I particularly like this website which can help you find places to eat nearby. As well as the national chains we all know and love, it’s perfect for finding those independent places with charm. A charming pub with great food is exactly what I need.

Visiting our favourite cat café

For weeks now, I’ve been saying the one thing I want to do when restrictions lift in April, is visit our favourite cat café.

With the lockdown blues on their way out, I feel like some feline therapy is something we all need. Plus, good food and a cup of tea go a long way toward soothing the soul. In fact, visiting cafes is one of the things I’ve missed the most during this last lockdown.

Read about our afternoon tea experience at the Paws for Thought Cat Café

Going back to the office

Believe it or not, I actually miss the office. It’s the sense of community and the friends that I have there that I miss seeing every day. I met two of my bridesmaids through work and I really feel like we have a good bunch of people there. Plus we’ve expanded so much over the last year there are a whole bunch of new faces we’re yet to meet in person.

It may also have something to do with going for drinks at the local pub on a Friday or winding down over a cocktail or two at Turtle Bay. Or maybe I just miss the endless supply of biscuits in the shared kitchen.

Getting married!

Fingers crossed our July wedding is safe from COIVD-19 restrictions and we can celebrate with our family and friends. In the meantime, we’ve still got bits that need sorting – and do you know how hard it is to shop for a suit when everywhere is closed?

More importantly it’s all the wedding décor that I’m dying to get started on. But with half at my mum’s, we’re going to have to wait until May before we can get started. And I can tell you now, wedding planning via Skype is a lot harder than doing it in person…

Holidaying abroad

H. O. L. I. D. A. Y. S.

I think I speak for everyone when I say, I can’t wait to have a holiday. It’s definitely the longest we’ve ever gone without going abroad. We have two holidays in the diary for this year – one of which was rescheduled from February – and I’m counting down the days, while being cautiously optimistic that we’ll be able to go.

As the number of those who have been vaccinated continues to rise, I become more hopeful. After the last year, I think we all deserve to take some time out, a change of scenery and a cocktail on the beach.

More importantly, I’m looking forward to being able to resume life. It feels like everything’s been on pause for so long, it will be amazing to see friends in a pub garden this summer, or go shopping or eat out, all those normal things we take for granted.

What are you most looking forward to post-lockdown?