Special edition: my official list of non-rubbish things that have happened in 2020
Welcome to issue #7 of Nesting
It’s my last newsletter of 2020, so I’ve decided it’s time for a round-up. Quite obviously, it’s been a rubbish year, but it’s been so rubbish that all the non-rubbish things really stand out. So, in this special edition, I present my official list of 2020 triumphs.
1. Discovering oat milk
Donald Trump has been voted out and, yes, a covid vaccine is on the way, but have you tasted oat milk? I’m still not sure what it is or how you can milk an oat, but if you haven’t tried it in your coffee, you haven’t lived.
2. Quietly turning 40
I loved my birthday this year, even though we were in lockdown. If life had been normal, I’d have pressured myself into a big party, even though I don’t like big parties. As it was, I had a few little picnics, a beach trip and a doorstep chat or two and loved it all.
3. Embracing loungewear
I always knew I liked loungewear (and lounging), but 2020 has encouraged me to up my game. Goodbye cruel leather skirts and suffocating tops, hello fleece-lined hoodies and elasticated waistbands. Why were we ever squeezing ourselves into anything else? For the best joggers, head to Les Girls Les Boys (founded by Serena Rees of Agent Provocateur). Otherwise, M&S (theirs are cashmere) and Hush, obviously.
4. Buying a handheld vacuum cleaner
Life-changing. I’m almost pleased when I drop something on the living room carpet these days.
5. Waving goodbye to hangovers and all accompanying existential dread
I keep having crazy thoughts that I am never going to drink again post pregnancy, such has been my positive experience with not drinking this year. This will obviously not happen and, to be honest, I have a bottle of champagne chilling in my fridge for Christmas, but it’s good to know that a sober life is a good life. When I do fall off the wagon, I plan to do it with the help of these cut-crystal coupes from Soho Home.
6. Reinventing the picnic
I don’t love traditional picnics. They are usually all tinfoil-wrapped sandwiches, warm cartons of juice and grey skies. But we all upped our picnic game during lockdown. Picnics in 2020 were arranged last minute, often during a heatwave and usually involved takeaway pizzas, bottles of wine and suncream. A holiday on a blanket.
7. Finding a soft drink I genuinely enjoy
Yuzu seltzer by Something & Nothing, if you’re wondering. Citrusy, extraordinarily refreshing and healthier than diet coke. Probably.
8. Realising my eyebrows look exactly the same without threading
I have been sitting, crying in a chair in Superdrug for no good reason for a large slice of my adult life. No longer.
9. Committing to therapy
I might not have needed eyebrow maintenance, but in 2020 I’ve discovered the benefits of what I have coined maintenance therapy; the recognition that nothing needs to be ‘wrong’ to have a fortnightly download with a therapist. I’ve seen so many friends transform before my eyes this year through therapy and if you haven’t tried it or feel funny about trying it (as I did before I started), I highly recommend giving it a go.
10. Developing a sweet tooth and then making up for lost time
Malteser Bites, Ritter Sport marzipan bars, the Marks and Spencer Belgian chocolate flapjack, for goodness sake. Why have I wasted decades prizing salt and vinegar chipsticks above you? I was a fool. Now I am wise.
11. Sitting on park benches
Did we ever stop to appreciate the park bench before 2020? A chat on a well-placed park bench is the definition of a simple pleasure. Great for non-intense catch-ups (no eye contact), the perfect venue for an (oat milk) coffee and an absolute dream for people-watching.
12. Spending a magical day at Garsons Farm
Look, those of you with children, I realise that you’ve been here a lot and it’s possibly lost its edge. But I came here with my sister and niece as a first-timer over the summer and it was one of my favourite days of the year. Cauliflowers, in the ground! Onions, in the ground! And so on. Earthy, wholesome magic and not an Ocado van in sight.
13. Wearing wellies all the time
I unearthed my wellies in the boot of my car and they have enhanced my lockdown walks no end. Not only do they make me feel like I am the sort of person who has land and labradors and a very large country manor, but they are exceptionally comfortable, extremely practical (puddles, hi!) and look brilliant with jeans. Be sure to consider socks – Hunter do the perfect pair (as you would expect), for £35.
14. Getting (slightly) green fingers
Who knew that going to a garden centre, picking out flowers and planting them could bring so much joy? Probably quite a lot of you, but not me, until this year. Top tip: geraniums are probably your safest bet if you’re yet to earn your gardening stripes.
15. Finally finding a way to eat fruit
2020 was the year I bought a smoothie maker (Sage’s The Boss To Go) and I now proudly eat my least favourite food group almost every day. Plus, I add things like cocoa nibs, chia seeds and kefir. Who even am I? (See also oat milk, sobriety and chocolate).
16. Actually considering England as a holiday destination
Holidaying in England is not something I’ve done much of, but my October trip to Whitstable made me realise the error of my ways. Large swathes of this country are now on my bucket list and I don’t need a passport or a near death experience (aka mild turbulence) to get there. I have my eye on the recently-opened Cabu by the Sea, where timber cabins sit right next to the seafront in St Mary’s Bay, Kent. There’s a heated pool, hot tubs, bikes for exploring the coast and crucially, a pizza oven.
17. Becoming a French teacher
My Gallic alter ego, Madame Fandango, taught French to my six year-old nephew via Zoom over two lockdowns. I saw him go from speaking no French to singing songs, doing maths and making rude jokes in a second language. Très rewarding.
18. Listening to Alexa’s many varieties of fart
Speaking of rude jokes, my oldest friend in the world told me about the ‘Alexa, fart’ command when she came to visit pre-lockdown. We spent the next 30 minutes laughing more than I’ve laughed for the rest of the year. Highly recommend.
19. Getting pregnant
This should probably have come before oat milk. And wellies.
20. Writing this list
What would you put on yours?
That’s all, folks! It’s been an absolute pleasure Nesting with you. Thank you for all the lovely feedback you’ve given me since I launched this newsletter back in September. It seems to have struck a chord, which makes me very happy. There are now hundreds of you coming in for your warm hug in word form every issue and I hope to make room for even more of you in 2021. Please carry on forwarding it to friends and bigging me up on social media – it makes a massive difference – both to my subscriber numbers and to my hungry ego.
And do drop me a line - I am at dominiqueafacan@gmail.com and on Instagram @dominiqueafacan. Until then, happy Nesting and I hope you have a normal-ish, non-rubbish Christmas.
Dx
P.S Believe it or not, this newsletter was not sponsored by oat milk. It’s not sponsored by anyone, actually, so all the things I like are just... things I like.
Who on earth is Dominique Afacan?
A very good question. Dominique (that’s me) is a writer, sausage dog owner, and soon-to-be solo mother, based in London. The idea for the Nesting newsletter came about because after ten years as a travel journalist, I wanted to share my new-found excitement about hanging out at home. I am also the author of Bolder –Life lessons from people older and wiser than you – a great Christmas present, if I don’t say so myself – and available to buy here. You can follow me on Instagram here or Twitter here.
____
Did somebody forward Nesting to you? Sign up here and join the fun.