Winter is in full force with grey skies and cold temperatures set to last the next several weeks. Shake off seasonal gloom by resolving to try one or all of these four things in 2025. From learning a new skill to experiencing an unforgettable event, these suggestions will give you things to look forward to, create lasting memories and enhance your leisure time now and in the future.
- Attend a music festival
Gather a group of friends and hit the road to attend a Great British music festival. Together you can experience your favourite artists, bands and DJs while enjoying the healing effects of friendship and time in the fresh air.
We’re lucky to have some of the world’s best festivals on the doorstep including music-specific events like Leeds and Reading Festival and Download, wider performing arts celebrations like Glastonbury and our own Lichfield Festival. Boardmasters in Cornwall is a popular option which combines surfing and skateboarding competitions with performances from talented musical acts.
- Get into gaming
Looking for a new way to unwind on an evening, or spend lazy hours on a weekend afternoon? Get into gaming. Far from being a waste of time, this activity can provide an outlet for chatting with others around the country and improving your technical skills.
If you’re new to the gaming world, it can be hard to know where to start with so many consoles and types of games available. Start small and download straightforward games like bingo to your phone to get an idea of the kinds of games you like to play. Other types of popular games includes logic puzzles, sports simulation, role-playing and world exploration. You could also seek recommendations from friends. From here, you’ll be better placed to choose your gaming format and challenges.
- Learn how to cook
Enhance your daily routine by improving your cooking skills. Whether this involves you learning the ropes as a complete beginner, honing your skills or experimenting with advanced techniques, it’s sure to bring you enjoyment daily and throughout your lifetime. Plus, you can enjoy the added pleasure of eating the fruits of your labours!
You can find fail-safe recipes online, with endless suggestions covering all categories from vegan cuisine to cake-making. Before you invest in lots of expensive kitchenware, pick out what you need to master the basics and let your triumphs guide you on where to expand from there. For example, you might develop a desire for cooking curries, in which case a pestle and mortar for grinding spices would be a great addition.
- Upcycle your furniture
Embrace the trend for sustainability and do your bit to help protect the planet by learning how to upcycle your furniture. Simple techniques are all it takes to fix broken pieces or transform outdated objects into centrepieces in your home design.
Begin by trying easy upcycling ideas on pieces of furniture you’re not overly attached to, just in case you’re not happy with your early attempts. For example, sand down and paint an old wooden coffee table or add pretty wallpaper to the back of shelving in concealed corners. Over time, you can build up to bigger projects like swapping the handles on your drawers and constructing a dining table.
