Even though we didn’t plan it this way going into it, this weekend was all about shaking things up due to the pandemic routine. I’m sure we all thought the pandemic situation would be much better by now, if not resolved. It’s easy to get a little stir crazy with the current environment so here’s what we did this weekend to shake up the pandemic routine.
Shaking up the pandemic routine in the city
One of the things I miss most during our pandemic routine is going out for date nights with my love. We have an incredible setup at home for date settings but this weekend I was feeling the need to get out.
We live in a city that has great outdoor spaces with lots of walkability. We often take walks around our neighborhood but we decided to get out and park the car at a new bridge here in town called the Dublin Link.
This bridge connects downtown Dublin with a newly developed area called Bridge Park. It’s where history meets the future and endless entertainment resides.
When we were going out for dates we frequented restaurants in those areas. The bridge just opened last spring connecting the two.
Walk it out pandemic routine style
Saturday night we decided that if we couldn’t go out to eat we’d walk the usual areas we frequented. We parked at one end of the bridge and walked a few miles between the two areas.
Our normal walks around the neighborhood are special but there is something extra special about exploring with my love.
If you’re struggling to find things to do, I suggest parking your car at a spot you used to frequent or find a new walking path to explore. The change in scenery will be well worth it and it felt great to at least be around people even if we were far apart. We’re all human at the end of the day needing interaction.
Shake it up at the park
We’ve been living more on the conservative side during the pandemic and avoiding any sort of public places where crowds could gather, even after the lockdown was lifted.
We have a ton of parks near us and the kids asked if we could go. I am all about them making new friends and playing their little hearts out any day over sitting on electronics all day. I understand this is so much harder to do right now when everyone is home and a lot of parents with kids have to work all day, myself included.
So, last night we decided to go to the park as long as the kids didn’t interact closely with other kids. We ended up having a blast (all four of us) and playing “duck, duck goose” and riding on a four person teeter totter until our butts couldn’t take it anymore!
It was a much needed dose of innocent laughter all around. It’s easy to get caught up in all the stress of the world right now and forget how tense can we get. It was a nice little reality check that there is still so much good despite the bad!
Then of course we sanitized immediately after because I am such a germaphobic, ha!
Italian food!
Before our little park outing last night we ordered dinner in from La Scala, one of our favorite Italian food spots. I grew up across the street from the owners and it has been a frequent in my life for years!
Sadly, Willi Lalli, the owner and head chef passed away from COVID a couple weeks ago and now his wife and son will continue to run the business, along with their other, Vittoria.
I’m still reeling over how incredibly sad this is and how great of a human being he was. Such a sweet person with a lovely family that would do anything for anyone.
It’s important to us to continue to support La Scala the same way we always have, if not more, in his honor and because we adore their family so much.
We normally wouldn’t opt for a dinner splurge like this on a Sunday night but it felt so spontaneously right. It also makes my heart smile knowing we can still honor Willi.
If you’re needing to switch up your routine, splurge on a meal!
Summary
What have you done to switch up your routine during the pandemic?
Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook. Follow me while you’re at it, I love to connect!
Don’t forget to subscribe to receive everything Boss Gal right to your email! I’ll even send you a free clarity gaining, goal setting workbook right away!
