We can all be guilty of becoming creatures of habit, especially when we’re spending more time than ever before in our homes. Weekend routines have meant cosy evenings spent on the sofa tucking into the leftover Christmas chocolates.
The ABI Life is all about taking a break from modern life and spending time to yourself without distractions or screens. That’s why this month, we have been setting new challenges for you to get involved with every weekend on our social media channels. If you’ve enjoyed doing something different, we’ve shared some more ideas to inspire you of ways to spend your weekends doing something new.
Take an online class in something you’ve always wanted to learn
Online classes are a great way to expand your knowledge or learn a new skill. The best thing is that many are available for free and can be found with a quick Google search!
Future Learn allows you to choose from hundreds of online courses. YouTube also offers lesson style videos and tutorials in whatever your heart desires. So, whether your passions lie in creative writing, history or wildlife, it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. You could even discover gardening tips or BBQ recipes so you can put what you’ve learnt to the test when returning to your ABI.
Start journaling
Self-care has become a priority for many over the past year, and a key technique to check in with our emotions is to jot down any thoughts or feelings surrounding everyday life. This is called journaling and can be used as a self-exploration tool to help with stress relieving and gratitude.
But how do I start? Journaling is a very personal activity so there isn’t a golden rule book to follow. There are, however, simple questions to ask yourself to get started:
- What went well today?
- What makes me happy?
- What have I learnt recently?
- Today I am grateful for…
Journaling works best when done consistently to allow us to savour the simple delights of life. And because now more than ever, we need reminding to appreciate the little things that matter.
Take up a new hobby
We’ve all got more free time on our hands, so this is the perfect opportunity to take up a new hobby. There’s no excuse for not starting something you’ve always wanted to try so this is our challenge to you…
Switch off the TV and set aside a couple of hours to ignite your creativity or get moving. If you’re struggling for ideas, here are some to help you get started:
- Knitting
- Baking
- Crochet
- Blogging
- Meditation
- Chess
- Yoga
- Calligraphy
- Painting
- Writing
- Photography
- Dancing
You’ll feel so much better for spending your time wisely and you might even find a hidden talent in the process!
Create your own ABI model
From lovingly crafted cakes to impressive Lego models, the ABI community never fails to amaze us. We know that you’re missing your holiday homes and that’s why we love seeing how you’re bringing them to life with whatever tools you can find.
We challenge you to think outside the box and replicate your own ABI. Maybe from a shoebox or using arts and crafts – use your imagination and get creative!
We hope these ideas have sparked some inspiration and motivated you to join our #NewYearNewChallenge. We’re setting weekly challenges on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so make sure to follow us to get involved!
