Being forced to stay in your homes is awful, let alone for the second time. I really do feel for all those back in the UK having to face this and I can only imagine the frustration and mix of emotions everyone must be feeling. 

There’s been many lockdown fads going around, such as the ‘4 weeks to loose a heap of weight’ fad, which I took part in with bad repercussions.. 😅 (you can read about that in my other post here) but what I am about to suggest is very different.

However I believe this should be on the top of your list of priorities and I can almost guarantee you won’t have thought of it. 

I am lucky to have been forced to do this every holiday, sitting in our tent in rainy Scotland, writing to different family members around the country. 

Honestly though, when was the last time you wrote a letter or sent a postcard? 

I know we’re lucky to have amazing technology that we can video call the other side of the world with almost no delay; even my parents in the UK could watch me finish the 10km in NZ last week via the live stream on facebook! Crazy!! But not everyone has this.

My grandad has no idea what google is, or what on earth a ‘live stream’ is, and he’s been basically in lockdown continually since February. Literally housebound for the entire year, I can only imagine how that must feel. I hate that I can’t visit him; (covid or not it’s hard from the other side of the world!) but the least I can do is contact him in the traditional way that he’s used to – writing to him. 

Every month or two, I’ll send him a postcard with a little update of what I’ve been up to & what’s happening on this side of the world. He absolutely loves it and tells anyone he can that he’s heard from me. It might not seem like much, but I know how much it means to him. I mean how cool is it to receive something in the post from someone, no matter your age?! 

I know that in some places at the moment using postal services is for essential only, so it’s not possible for everyone to do this, but please don’t use this as an excuse to not do so. If you can’t send it now, write something ready to be sent off when you can, they will still appreciate it more than you realise. And I get it, it’s effort right… but think about how much your grandparents have done for you.. The money/gifts you’ve received on birthdays/christmas, the very least you can do is spare the cost of a card and spend 10 minutes of your day writing in it. 

During the April lockdown, I discovered ‘thortful’ a website that allows you to type a message into the card and send in the UK. It saved me the trouble of getting to the post office to post the card & there are some brilliant designs on there, genuinely hilarious covers for all audiences. I’ve put screenshots below of the cards I’ve sent this year, which I think all sum up 2020 pretty well. If you want to give it a go, here’s 30% off your first card so you can trial it without worrying about breaking the bank (and I get a bit of credit to send more too). Let me know what you think!

If you’re not sure what to write (which is something I used to struggle with each holiday) here’s a little list of ideas to use: 

• Activities you’ve done (been for a cycle lately? Walked along the river.. Discovered you enjoy painting/drawing.. Trying to practice photography at home.. Taken up running & trying to beat your goal time.. Started baking.. Trying to make bread.. Made a sourdough starter – who hasn’t?! 🤣)
• Weather (for me this is an easy one as it’s opposite seasons over here, so grandad loves to hear what it’s like, but if you live fairly close, maybe comment on the weather ‘this rain’s meant I can’t go for my usual run’ etc
• Your friends/family/pets (you’ve finally taught your dog to sit 🤣)
• New coffee you’ve discovered because you bought online shopping and tried out a new brand 🤷‍♀️

The ideas will start flowing once you give it a go. And if you’re struggling to think of anything, use a postcard – its a smaller area to write in but it’s just as special.

If you’re sending a card, print some photos out and put them in too, they’ll love it! 

I guess what I’m trying to say is, lockdown & dealing with the Covid19 pandemic is awful, stressful & scary, but you are not alone. The only way to get through is to learn to be grateful for what you have, and remember there are always people worse off than you. Do what you can to support those around you, especially those stuck on their own. 2020 should be the year of gratitude and kindness in a world where the situation is a game of patience (and hand washing 🤣) .

Do you ever write to anyone? Or do you now plan to? I’d love to hear, let me know in the comments below 🙂

Ciao for now,

Harriet 📸