Surviving the World Cup (if you don’t like football)
Make the most of your free time while the footy fans in your home turn into couch potatoes…
Take advantage!
Parks, gyms, shops, cinemas and town centres magically empty during big World Cup fixtures, making this the perfect time to browse in IKEA, book a tennis court or swim a few laps in peace. Just being outside while the rest of the nation is indoors glued to the TV will give you a sense of smug satisfaction.
Treat yourself
Make like a footballer’s wife by booking a spa break – check out websites like lastminute.com or spabreaks.co.uk for cheap deals in Britain and abroad. Even if you can’t get away, you could enjoy an afternoon of pampering at your local salon – even a blowdry and a manicure can make you feel a million dollars. On a budget? Treat yourself at home by commandeering the bathroom for a long soak in some delicious scented oil followed by a DIY facial and all-over self-tan.
Cultural pick-me-ups
The makers of ‘Sex and the City 2’ have cannily timed the release of Carrie’s latest adventures to coincide with the World Cup, but why not try a few other cultural experiences too? Summer is a great time to enjoy late-opening at galleries and museums – go with friends and follow up your culture fix with a good old chat in football-free bar or restaurant. Or sign up for a guided tour: the Tate galleries in London, Liverpool and St Ives all offer this, and most city galleries offer a programme of free educational events.
Be creative
If you’ve suddenly got a bit more me-time than you bargained for, take the opportunity to do something you’ve been putting off for ages: learn a new craft, like knitting or jewellery-making, pick up a sketchpad and some pastels, or tackle a home-decorating project like repainting kitchen cupboard doors. Or why not spend a few evenings printing out and framing some of the digital photos languishing unseen on your computer?
Get connected!
If you feel like you’re the only person on earth not mesmerised by the adventures of Fabio’s boys, it’s time to make some new contacts. Why not start a reading group or join an online forum for people with the same interests as you? Or start your own blog about fun in a football-free world – have a look at blogger.com or wikihow.com/start-a-blog for some tips on getting started. Who knows, if you strike a chord with enough fellow sufferers, it could still be going when Brazil 2014 comes round…
Super Savvy tip:
Single? If you’ve been stuck in a relationship with a football-mad partner in the past, this is a great time to go looking for someone more on your wavelength. They’re out there!