I’m indulging in some good old time-wasting this lockdown

Whether it’s binging on period dramas or burying your head in as many books as you can find, there’s no reason to feel guilty for being unproductive, writes Roisin O'Connor

Want to watch ‘Schitt’s Creek’ on Netflix for the 100th time? Do it... (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

There was a huge sense of camaraderie in England during the first lockdown. We posted photos of our sourdough successes (and failures, too), and shared tips on how to stave off boredom with oh-so many lists of all the shiny new shows you could watch online.

By now, though, the novelty of lockdown has long-since worn off. Being “productive”, it turns out, is quite exhausting, and the idea of committing to reading 50 books and listening to 10 new podcasts easily fills one with dread instead of anticipation. 

We’ve noticed this on The Independent’s culture desk, and so our mission has changed somewhat. While we still have plenty of exciting new TV shows, films, books and music to recommend, we’re also reaching back into the past to find the things that comfort us in times of stress and sorrow.