Being offline can be fun too
It’s easy to spend all day online; checking out YouTube videos, surfing the internet, watching your favourite series on Netflix and writing emails.
But the sun is shining, the birds are singing and you really should be taking advantage of the beautiful summer weather. So here are six great reasons to log off and get on with something even more engaging.
Hit the pool. Swimming is a great activity for the whole family and it’s a wonderful life skill for the children to learn while they’re still young. There’s probably an aqua park with giant slides and a wave machine not too far from where you live, which will make the day even more memorable.
Discover a place you’ve never been before. Make a date with a friend to explore somewhere that neither of you know. After a walk around, stop for a bite to eat or a cup of coffee to make the most of your outing.
Cook something new. Visit your local market or your favourite grocery store, buy a vegetable you’re not too familiar with and learn how to cook it. For example, bok choi cut into several pieces, marinated in a light dressing, and grilled, is absolutely delicious. Ever tried leeks whole and on their own rather than sliced in another dish? Brush leeks with 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Place under the grill, turning occasionally, until lightly browned. Yum!
Have a picnic. To make the most of your picnic, why not head to your favourite spot by bike. This is most fun when you do it with friends or family. Make life easier for yourself by choosing picnic foods that don’t need to be kept cold or heated up. Simple is best: a baguette, cheese, fruit, homemade cake and a thermos of tea or a cold drink are all perfect for a picnic lunch.
Read in the garden. Put on your sunglasses and some sunscreen, grab that book you’ve been meaning to read and head out into the garden for a relaxing break. Those emails will still be there waiting for you when you return to your tablet in a couple of hours.
Clean your windows. Trust Molly Maid to throw in a cleaning activity – well, we think these can be fun too! There is nothing like having clean windows whether you’re looking from the inside out, or vice versa. Washing both sides of the window is key. When doing the inside of your window, wipe the glass horizontally until clean and dry. When doing the outside, start by dusting and cleaning the window sill and trim. Next, wipe the glass using the same method as you did inside but wipe the window vertically rather than horizontally. Cleaning in opposite directions makes it easier to determine which side the streaks are on. When you’re done, fix yourself an ice-cold drink, take a seat by the window and enjoy the view.
