It’s been a long time coming, but today I’m excited to revive Five Senses, a series where I share my recent favourites! Honestly though, this post might as well be called ‘things that kept me sane in quarantine.’ Having been stuck indoors for a good chunk of the year, I’ve definitely come to appreciate the tiny pockets of joy that have made 2020 bearable. Whether it’s a funny tweet or an insanely good brownie, it’s the little things that have really lifted my mood this year, especially in the absence of anything exciting to look forward to. Anyway, read on to find out what’s been tingling my senses recently…
SIGHT
Of course, I couldn’t not include Animal Crossing on this list! I ordered both the game and console back in February when I realised the new title was coming out, and I had no Switch to play it on. I’m so glad I did, too. This thing has been a godsend for long hospital stays and hours spent on dialysis. Besides keeping me entertained, it’s also been the perfect distraction when the craziness of this year got a bit much.
If you’ve never played Animal Crossing, the appeal can be hard to understand at first. Doing mundane tasks with no real end goal hardly sounds like anyone’s idea of fun… but the laid-back feel and low-stakes nature of Animal Crossing is exactly why people love it so much. Sometimes, it’s nice to escape to a world where my biggest problem is deciding where to move my villagers’ houses. Also, one thing that constantly impresses me about New Horizons is how beautiful the graphics are! I’m pretty sure my Switch is about to run out of space from all the screenshots I’ve accumulated.
I’ve also been playing Tetris and The Legend of Zelda on Switch, but apart from that my game collection is kind of lacking. Any other recommendations would be much appreciated!
TOUCH
I never used to be a night cream person. For the longest time I only had one moisturiser, until I decided to try out this night cream by Sukin. While the formula’s basically a thicker version of their standard lotion, it really has made a difference to my skin! I usually apply a generous amount before I sleep, and overnight all that moisture soaks right in, giving my skin that baby soft feeling in the morning. I honestly don’t think I can go without it now!
If you haven’t already heard of it, Sukin is an Australian skincare brand that’s pretty common here. It’s vegan, it’s cruelty free, and it’s cheap, especially when it happens to go on sale. What’s not to love? I’ve never liked committing to expensive brands for skincare in general, so it’s nice to have something that’s both affordable and gets the job done.
HEARING
Jhené Aiko’s self-titled album, Chilombo, has been on repeat for me since it came out in March. And while it might be too early to say, I’m pretty sure it’s my favourite album of the year! I’ve always been a fan of Jhené, but this album really proves she’s in a lane of her own. The only way to listen to it is from start to finish. From R&B bops to more emotional ballads, Chilombo takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions while still flowing effortlessly. And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s now a deluxe version of the album! Give it a listen if you haven’t already. Some favourite tracks of mine include B.S., Speak, 10k Hours, and Above and Beyond.
Another artist I’ve been loving lately is Giveon. He’s still new on the scene, but with the support of names like SZA and Drake, it’s obvious that he’s going places. His voice is unlike any I’ve heard before, and has a timeless quality that I could listen to all day. Anyway, if you want to get in your feelings about the ex you never had, I recommend giving his songs a listen haha. Some of my favourites include: Like I Want You, Heartbreak Anniversary, Stuck On You and Last Time.
TASTE
So like the total cliche I am, I started making sourdough bread in lockdown. And while I’m pretty sure the craze has passed, the habit has stuck for me! While I’ve calmed down from baking multiple loaves a week, I still like to make it on the weekend. Sourdough always used to be an occasional treat for me, so it’s been nice to have it at home for once.
I was never science-y as a kid. But funnily enough, making sourdough feels exactly like a science experiment, and I really enjoy the process! Even after getting the basics down, my sourdough journey has involved a lot of diagnosing and tweaking things to achieve better results every time. I still haven’t perfected it by any means, but definitely won’t be giving up on it anytime soon. The failures are still edible, after all!
SMELL
Constant hand-washing has wreaked havoc on my cuticles this year, and I’m fairly sure I’m not the only one! While I’ve tried my fair share of hand creams, good ones can be surprisingly hard to come by. Some are too thick, and don’t absorb into the skin quickly enough. Others just smell strange, or have a weird artificial scent. However, this Aesop one I was gifted recently ticks all the boxes! It has a nice consistency, and doesn’t require me to wait around for it to absorb before doing anything. The mandarin rind and rosemary leaf scent also has a lovely citrusy aroma, that’s nice and refreshing without being overpowering. Anyway, I just love how hand creams are a quick and easy way to inject a little self care into your everyday routine.
What are some of the things you’ve been loving lately? I’m really curious to know!
