Last World Smile day, I shared with you all the things that make me smile. Today I am back to tell you about the 10 things that made me smile throughout lockdown.
World Smile day
Friday was World smile day and as smiling is one of my favourite things to do, it’s one of the best celebration days! OK so I am running very late on this one, want to know why? Well I was using a calendar from 2010!! FFS!
I’m running with it though as I still think it is relevant right now!
There is no doubt that 2020 has been an odd year. One where finding reason’s to be happy have been tough. But for me, it is one that has made the power of a smile even more significant.
Finding reasons to be positive in what is otherwise a hugely negative experience is so beneficial to your wellbeing.
Happiness vs Smiling
Does smiling mean happiness? Nope not always. Even on the most difficult of days it is possible to smile. Genuinely smile. That happiness you create in the moment, no matter how fleeting is so important. Holding on to the ability to find a reason to smile through times of difficulty is what can make a difference.
I will always be a cheerleader for happiness, but I’ve been through times that have made me realise that sometimes a smile is as good as happiness. It’s an acknowledgement of certain acts, or simple things that make us smile. These are the moments that we need to focus on.
10 things that made me smile throughout Lockdown
As we potentially face further local lockdowns and who knows what. I want to focus on the things that made me smile last time. The things that got me through and what might get me through if there is a next time.
1. Hamilton
If you haven’t watched Hamilton on Disney+ what have you been playing at? Seriously, get a free 7 day trial and watch it. You could watch it at least 3 times in 7 days!
I had no idea what this Broadway production was about and after the first watch, I was still not entirely sure after either. But having watched it 3 more times and the soundtrack being in my car for MONTHS. I am now completely clued up and in love!
Every time I get in my car and hear the music, I am instantly smiling. No matter what the day has thrown at me, I can’t stop a smile creeping across my face. It is an instant mood lifter.
It has been a highlight of lockdown for me.
2. The children
Having one son and two step children is full on. But as step siblings with a big age gap, things can be pretty tense at times.
What lock down gave us was an opportunity to build relationships. Watching the children develop an unbreakable bond has been definite smile inducing. Without outside influences and all being stuck indoors, it really was sink or swim. Their relationship could have gone either way but thankfully for us all they’ve bloomed.
Being a Mum of 3 suddenly doesn’t seem like a constant battle and I am no longer just a referee. This will bring a smile to my face for a long time to come.
3. Reading
I had always been a keen reader but time was at a premium and it no longer seemed like a priority.
Lock down gave me the chance to make time. Suddenly the idea of heading up to bed an hour earlier and devouring a book would have me smiling all day long. I read some amazing books over lockdown and it has ignited a love I had almost forgotten.
4. DIY
Our house is an on-going project but Lockdown gave us an oppourtunity to not only work on the house but to also enjoy our hard work. Pre-Lockdown, We were so busy that we never really got to enjoy our efforts.
Now I can’t help but smile every time I walk in to most of the rooms in our house.
Even down to having the time to be a bit more organised bought out my inner ‘Hinch’ and I can’t help but smile about that.
5. Technology
OK so other than enabling me to keep working, technology provided us a way to keep in touch with others in a time where we couldn’t just meet up.
Who’d even heard of Zoom or teams before we went in to Lock down?? Maybe I am out of the loop, it’s a possibility, but regardless. Zoom is now a part of our daily vocab.
Being able to communicate so easily with all our friends made a huge difference to the whole experience.
Teaching my Dad to facetime will bring a smile to my face for many years to come!
6. Slowing down
How could this not make me smile?? Life doesn’t often offer us a chance to just be, to slow down and enjoy a calmer life.
No longer was I racing to work, then to the gym, squeezing in the house work, trying to spend time on my blog and make time for my family.
OK so I still woke early, still filled my day with work but without travelling or the gym to race to, everything suddenly seemed a little less stressful. I loved spending more time at home, more time with my children and less time feeling I need to be busy!
7. Blogging
It’s no secret that I started the year in a blogging slump. One that lasted for rather a long time. I talked earlier in the year about how much I’d grown to love my blog. I wanted to find a new focus though. I have shared so much, so openly about loss and grief but I was worrying that in the long run it was not helping me. But making that decision left me with no focus, no drive. What would I write?
After much soul searching, I still felt lost. And despite having lots of extra time on my hands, I couldn’t put that time in to my blog. I just had nothing to give.
I decided to invest in my blog. I purchased e-books and enrolled in Jenny’s Blogging mindset mastery course. Honestly it changed the game! Suddenly I had my drive back, a new purpose and I could not be more excited or motivated.
Blogging became a passion again, I was constantly thinking about my blog and you know what, every time I thought about it, I smiled. Like big ‘crazy lady smiling to herself in the street’ smiles! Even writing about this is making me smile.
8. Kindness
Right lockdown bought out the best and worst in people. Thankfully the best outshone the worst.
The sense of community was inspiring. Every clap for the NHS, as more and more neighbours joined in became so significant. It symbolised the whole lockdown experience for many of us. The coming together of strangers for one cause.
Social media was filled with acts of kindness, a 100 year old man raised millions for the NHS and the nation came together.
Of course I had to learn to step back from some of the negativity but on the whole there were plenty of kind acts to make me smile.
9. Rainbows
I have always had a soft spot for them. I remember even as a child, racing outside to look at them with my equally as excited Mum.
Even now whenever I see a rainbow appear, I am a child again. Watching in wonder with my Mum. Since she passed away though, I still feel that rush every time one appears. I can imagine being there with her looking at it together.
A smile forms on my face and even on the hardest days, I know it is her way of telling me she’s not far away.
Now during lockdown the significance of the rainbow was not lost on anyone. For me it was a sign of hope. A sign that better times were coming. With every single hand-drawn rainbow, every shop front, or lanyard, a flag or chalk drawing I saw, I could not stop myself from smiling.
Suddenly Mum was everywhere, and it was such a lovely feeling. At such a difficult time, I appreciated what felt like a nod from her.
10. Rob
OK so he makes me smile all the time but during Lockdown even more so. Like most couples facing the reality of being home together, for more time than in our entire relationship, I was worried. Would we drive each other absolutely bat shit crazy? Would it cause tension? What would we find to talk about? How bored of each other would we get??
A million more questions running through my head in what was already, a confusing and scary time.
6 months later and I honestly think we are closer than ever. Of course, I missed my work buddies, but none of them will lean over and give me a kiss just because. They don’t tell me they love me as they walk past me (Erm really feeling like they should though HUH??)
The whole family feel closer than ever and I sit back and smile to myself about this on a very regular basis!
To smile in Lockdown
So there you have it! Now you know I am just one big smile almost all of the time. It is so important to focus on the positives rather than the (many) negatives currently.
No matter what comes next, I am sure I will find many more reasons to keep smiling. Even if that does mean I have to put my Christmas tree up in October!
Happy (late) Smile day!! I’d love to hear what has kept you a smile on your face during lockdown?
Such a beautiful post, Claire! It actually sounds like lockdown and this whole period of uncertainty has had some a positive impact on you! You’ve had so much to smile about! And thank you so much for linking to the course, I really appreciate it <3 My dog, good TV shows, going for walks, reading, the PlayStation, blogging and exercise have all made me smile!
I really enjoyed this post! Despite the fear and anxiety I’ve felt a kind of happiness I haven’t felt in a while – slowing down has made me appreciate everything I have and also helps me manage my stress levels. I’m glad your kids are all getting along it must be tough to all be cooped up indoors. Great post!
-Amna
AskAmna.com
Happy world smile day to you. Rainbow, my daughter, books, my husband, DIY all makes me smile also.
That’s really lovely to hear x x
What a lovely post. I love reading posts that make me feel a bit warm and fuzzy and this one defo does that! Even through this awful year, there is still lots to smile about! Your children look like gorgeous little angels, I bet they loved being at home so much through lockdown!
Rosie
Oh I can vouch for so many of these things myself! I absolutely love Hamilton and have had the soundtrack in my head for months! We’ve also been doing a tonne of DIY around the house which has kept us very busy!
Grace xx
https://www.gracebee.co.uk/
I love positive posts about the pandemic/lockdown! This is a great post, and there’s definitely been some things to be grateful for these past few months, and I loved reading your thoughts. Thanks for sharing, and keep smiling!
I feel that lockdown gave me a lot of things to be grateful for. Reading was my favourite activity as well, and like you, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner! We’re living times of uncertainty, but there are still reasons to smile. And your post actually put a smile on my face right now, so thank you! 🙂
Awww thank you, I am so pleased it made you smile x
This is such a lovely, positive post. Its great that you can look back and focus on the things that made you smile, during a very difficult time.
What a lovely post, as hard as lockdown was there are many positives that came out of it as well x
This is so lovely, it’s actually made me smile just reading it! I love the moments during a totally normal day when a little something gets you smiling, for me it’s often the time I spend in the gym or the pool, getting my blood pumping always makes me smile x
So many great things to reflect on. There is always something going on in the universe which we can focus on to make us smile. As we get older there are more of these. AS you said, children and books and blogs and rainbows are incredibly powerful. Nature is abundant with smiles, you only need look out the window. Yesterday my daugter saw a squirrel and didn’t stop smiling about it for three hours. Inspiring.
Love your list! It’s so important to find these good things in our life specially with the heaviness of 2020. Reading and blogging also makes me smile and the thought that because of the ongoing lockdowns, I get to slow down.
Slowing down is so important. I am going to carry that forward in to the non covid world too x
Aww I love this! It’s so important to remember the good things and be grateful each and everyday. I too have loved the opportunity to start blogging, read more, and watch Hamilton endlessly!!
Reading, blogging and Animal Crossing definitely gave me a lot of support when we were in lockdown! Glad to see this post has so much positivity. Thank you for sharing x
Such a beautiful post. yes reading blogging and watching favourite series on netflix has been fun but most important of all spending quality time with family and loved ones was best of all. Thanks for highlighting things that made the lockdown odd and memorable at the same time.
Thank you so much. I have enjoyed my family time so much x x
You’ve found quite a few positives in a situation that’s far from ideal. My boys make me smile. Also, my cats, both the ones that are ours and the ones we’ve fostered as well.
Love this! It’s so easy to just go with the flow and let days follow each other up without really noticing days went by and this really inspires me to keep focusing on the good things of every day. Thank you!
I like this approach of being positive doing this pandemic. I am grateful for the things and people that make me smile especially during this stressful year.
I love reading posts where people have paused and reflected on the positives. It’s such a rewarding thing to do and just feels so good. I love your bedroom decor too! Xx
This is a really cute feel-good post Claire! Even I smiled 🙂 Keep up the good work xx
What a lovely post – just reading it brought a smile to my face! You’ve definitely shown the positives even throughout this whole pandemic – I, myself, am grateful for the extra time I’ve had at home to work on my mental and physical health, to spending more time with my family, working on my blog, reading and just learning to cherish every moment – great post, thank you for sharing x
Positivity is always welcome in my life! Thanks for pointing out the many good things we can experience even when our lives are thrown topsy-turvy.
Thank you Lori. It has been so hard hasn’t it x x
This whole post made me smile, what a delightful read! I love that there has been so many positive outcomes for you and the close bonds between your family now will be something that lasts long beyond all of this. This was the perfect way to start the day – thank you!
Much as lockdown was tough, I loved spending time with the children and exploring our local area, we found so many hidden gems that are just around the corner
Love this so much, and something I need to think about myself. I’ve been pretty down in the dumps recently, it’s so important to remind yourself of the things that make you smile.
Slowing down has made me smile as well, I think my body needed that time to realise I didn’t need to be on the go all the time. Reading has been another big thing for me as well x
Oh this is such a lovely positive post in these strange times. It is so easy to forget all the moments and things that have made me smile during stressful times but your post has made me think that there have been so many reasons to smile too! Thanks for sharing yours x
Aw I loved reading this post!! Lockdown has been such a good time to just slow down and focus on the small things. I loved being able to spend time with my family and just make memories even though we’ve been in lockdown – that’s been one of the things that’s made me smile!
Aw, this is such a sweet post! I smiled just reading it, thanks for sharing! x
Thank you Sophie x
Fabulous post! We have to take the time to slow down and smile at the simple things. There is always something to smile about…even in the darkest of times.
Hamilton was amazing. books have been a big part of lockdown for us. We’ve almost reached our monthly goal.
Thats brilliant. I have loved reading so much x
Lovely post! I’ve certainly learned to appreciate the smaller things during lockdown – I’ve been watching so many stupid videos on Tiktok that have made me laugh and technology in general has really made me smile through being able to still have my weekly chats with my mum! My husband has also been my rock and has often made me smile at times I didn’t think possible! Thanks for sharing 😊 x
That’s really lovely to hear Amy x
My family definitely kept me smiling during lockdown! Unfortunately my job went crazy-busy over that period, so I had less time to enjoy things rather than more 🙁
But I completely agree about how important it is to focus on the positive, and I’m really grateful for some exciting opportunities that have come up through work, even if it did get in the way of my reading!,
I worked a lot more as well, it was hard going.
Glad that some good things have come from it for you though x
This is such a lovely theme for a blog post. It’s great that you had so many things that made you smile over lockdown. I wish I could slow down, I work from home so it made it all much more pressurised.
I can imagine that made life really full on suddenly having everyone at home x
Slowing down and blogging were big ones for me too. I’m really missing that slower pace right now because work is super stressful.
I hear ya Lauren! I’m sick of people asking me if they are going to add a week at half term as well!
This is such a lovely post Claire! All love the positive and happy vibes radiating off this post! It’s so nice to read somebody put a lovely spin on lockdown x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you Lucy, it’s so important to try and remain positive x
This post is so heartwarming! It really made me smile, and I love the photos. This is the perfect dose of positivity the internet needs, thank you so much for sharing! 💛
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Thank you so much Anika x. X
I was nodding my head along to so many of these! The kids, blogging and reading I agree with!! x
It’s great to be able to find positives x
Thank you for sharing this post, I have been thinking about what has made me happy during this past few months, I would say it would be the zoom calls that I did with the Guide Group I help at seeing them enjoying the activities, plus also when my nephews said happy birthday to me over zoom to 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
Zoom has been such a great way to bring the world together x
I can see a few similar things to what would be on my list on your list! I definitely loved reading during lockdown.
I can see a few similar things to what would be on my list on your list! I definitely loved reading during lockdown too!
I’d almost want to go back in to lockdown just so I could read more!
I could relate so much to this post. Definite positives from an awful situation.
Quality family time was a big one for me and my family, Almost like a reality check that sometimes life can just wait while we have fun and make beautiful memories. xx
That’s exactly it, I think we’ve all learnt to appreciate things in a new way x
What a fun topic for a post. I didn’t know there was a world smile day. I have definitely been enjoying lots more reading and time for blogging while in this pandemic. Also learning new things which I have always loved!
That’s great to hear Clarissa. It’s just trying to find positives in a difficult time x
I would love to watch Hamilton but Disney + isn’t available in my country yet. I’ve heard nothing but great things about that Broadway production. What books did you enjoy reading the most during lockdown? I’ve been drawn to YA romance novels 🙂
And that’s so great to hear you’ve fallen back in love with working on your blog. I love that feeling too! Thanks for sharing this post about the things that made you smile during lockdown, Claire. It’s such a great reminder to appreciate what we have & to smile more often. Some of the things that has kept a smile on my face during lockdown is watching Kdramas, reading, my dogs, my family, discovering catchy Kpop songs and my fave Kdrama actors hahaha 😂
Thank you so much! I hope Disney+ comes to you soon, it’s spectacular.
Book wise I’ve started reading thrillers which I’ve never read before and I’m really enjoying that genre x
Loving your Top 10! Some really nice thoughts and ideas 🙂 I think I might get the free trial and watch Hamilton. Really want to see it!
Also, I’ve been noticing Christmas lights up in some homes around by me. I think people are looking for a bit of early festive cheer – and why not?! 😀
Fiona
sealyourwideshores.co.uk
I’ve gone full Halloween at the mo but I think once that’s over it’s Christmas time!!
I restarted my blog during lockdown and haven’t looked back. There was something about that time that set an ‘alarm’ off saying – do what makes you happy.
Totally agree on the smiling vs happiness point too.
Lock down certainly had its enlightening moments x
A beautiful post, I agree with all of them. Even teaching my dad facetime……seeing the inside of his ear is great!!!! Lol!
You’ve listed SO many great things in your post. We really struggled with lockdown, but looking back on it now I can see that there were more days where we smiled than I actually thought there were at the time!!
Louise x
It was really hard to feel happy during lockdown as so many people where losing their family members and/or friends but we had to make the most of it for our own families. We were never get a time like that again when we could spend quality time together as a family. I kept a photo and video diary for us to all look back on and there are lots of memories to remember.
I’ve done the same. It was a horrible time and worse to come I’m sure but most of us won’t have spent that much time with our children since maternity leave x
What a lovely blog, yes there were definitely some things to smile about during lockdown. I’m also very late to the party when it comes to Hamilton but have heard so much about it!
Oh it’s so amazing! I know it word for word now x
This was such a lovely post to read! Think it’s been so important to reflect on the positives of lockdown as it hasn’t all been doom and gloom in some respects!
Tash // A Girl with a View
Love this and such a positive outlook as well and plenty to smile about – yes to slowing down as well as spotting all those rainbows
Laura x
Loved this! It’s so important to remember the positive things & be grateful for what we do have. such a great reminder.
hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Such a really lovely post and I love that you considered the positives from lockdown even though it was such a terrible time in the world. Always great to remember the small things that mean a lot to us.
I totally agree, holding on to the good things is so important x