MAKE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME FOR YOUR FRIENDS

At the start of lockdown, many of us enjoyed video calls. Now, we’re starting to feel exhausted by it, but guilty if we don’t check in. Emma shares her tips on how to balance socialising and avoid burnout

t’s fantastic that we have taken many of our relationships online after lockdown, but keeping up with a constant flow of calls may have become more of a struggle than a sanctuary, which can lead to you feeling burnt out and resentful.

ORGANISE YOUR TIME

Balance is key – you need regular social interaction, but you also have to preserve energy. Block out the time you work, then define pockets of time you have free for online socials, and be strategic about events you wish to attend and people you want to chat to. Add the events and names to your calendar or diary so you know who you are calling, and how much time you will spend with that person or situation. It gives you a reminder that you are making an effort, and means you can explain why you haven’t the time or space to do everything. Prioritising who you connect with should be based on how you feel after the interaction. You want ideally to feel energised, happy and fulfilled from spending time with a person or group.

CONFESS AND PLAN

You also need to be mindful of people who may be struggling, so check in with anyone who doesn’t have lots of people calling them. Even a short chat can make a massive difference to someone facing emotional challenges. If you recognise that you haven’t kept up with some people, don’t avoid the issue. Tell them that you have found adapting to this cyber life overwhelming and that you have struggled to socialise, then you can both agree on what will work best. Some people prefer a monthly walk together over a weekly FaceTime call.

SWITCH OFF AT MEALS

Make sure you have screenfree periods, particularly at mealtimes. These sacred spaces really do help you relax and unwind and also ensure you tend to the most important people in your world. You may feel selfish turning down offers of online socials that come your way, but the reality is that personal boundaries are essential for positive mental health and wellbeing. This begins when you learn to say no to other people and yes to yourself.

Spending so much time at home has made many of us realise we want to make some changes,” says Closer’s style editor Daniela Bellanca. “In fact, 55 per cent of us are making home improvement plans. Since shops that sell things like furniture and paint have reopened, sales have soared. If you’re planning to smarten up your abode on a budget, read on for my best insider tips!”

GET DESIGNER PAINT FOR FAR LESS!

“Johnstone’s trade paints match pricier brands like Farrow & Ball. The colours are exactly the same, but they’re half the price. You can buy it from Brewers.”

BUY END-OF-ROLL FLOORING

“If you want to replace the flooring in a smaller room, like a bathroom, check your local flooring shop for any end-of-roll bargains – you can get carpet and vinyl this way. You can even fit it yourself by following an online tutorial (there’s a good one for vinyl flooring on Dovecottageblog.com). You can also buy vinyl flooring for next to nothing on eBay.”

CHECK FACEBOOK

“Join your neighbourhood Facebook group and watch out for people giving away or selling items for cheap. A friend in Edinburgh told me about her group, called The Meadows Share, where people give away items. If you want something, all you have to do is share something you no longer need with someone else. People list furniture, electricals, gardening items – there is even a lady who announces when her spider plant has babies so people can collect them. My friend managed to get a brand new TV for her house!”

FRESHEN UP YOUR KITCHEN

“To update your kitchen, instead of replacing all the units, paint the doors using eco-friendly, long-lasting selfpriming Frenchic paint, which is perfect for the job. You could also change the tiles, sink, and tap for less than £1k for the lot – far less than the average cost of a new kitchen at £8k.”

CHAT TO LOCAL BUILDERS

“If you see building work going on around you, don’t be afraid to chat to the builders. They might have excess materials they want to get rid of, like paint, plaster, sand, or wood. And if you’re renovating and looking to reclaim original features, they might be removing them from the property. A friend managed to get ceiling roses, an original hallway cornice and

even a stained glass door from skips. Just speak to the owner first, but often they are just glad to free up space in their skip.”

REVAMP YOUR BED

“Give your bed a new lease of life by reupholstering your headboard using fabric, which you can get cheaply on Facebook Marketplace or eBay, and a staple gun. If you go on YouTube and type in ‘reupholster headboard’, you’ll find lots of tutorials. You can completely transform your bed for around £10.”

REVIVE OLD FLOORS

“If your original floorboards aren’t in great nick, don’t despair! While replacement wood flooring could cost anywhere from £600, instead consider replacing the broken boards and painting the whole floor white. It looks fresh and modern, while retaining the original features.”

SELL RUBBLE ONLINE

“People will pay for things you might consider rubbish on Facebook Marketplace. You may be surprised to hear that people online will pay for old patio slabs, breeze blocks, old bricks and even rubble. Even if you don’t make a lot of money selling the items, you’ll save on having to dispose of them.

Even if things aren’t perfect, try selling them, too – you can get £30 for a damaged Belfast sink, for example, because they’re so in demand.”