Well hello to you my reader chums! Lockdown restrictions are slowly getting eased and things are going back to normal, or the 'new normal' that we're all living in right now. But as things have been going back to normal, I've been reflecting on lockdown, what I've learnt and how appreciative I am of that time.
Lockdown gave a lot of us a chance to live a slower pace of life, spend time with our families, and appreciate our surroundings. Here are 5 things I've learnt in lockdown:
Appreciating where I live
I've lived on the Kent coast my whole entire life and I'm a beach baby to a tee. Nothing makes me happier than being on the beach, feeling the sand between my toes and hearing the sound of the waves ebb at the shore. I've always realised how lucky I was to be by the sea but with such a busy day to day life, working, running my baking business and trying to keep as social as possible, I didn't really take the time to spend days at the beach or strolling on the sands.
However, in lockdown where the only time we were meant to leave the house was for a walk, I spent a lot of my time outside walking on the beach. There are many different beaches within a 5-10 minute drive from my house and I spend a lot of my time exploring the quieter ones and finding hidden coves on the sands. I found myself falling in love with where I live over and over again. My home will forever be a happy place.
Being busy all the time isn't healthy
Something I didn't do often prior to lockdown was taken the time to relax or live at a slower pace. I was constantly busy working, doing my blog, doing my business, making plans, and really, always doing something. And, I never gave myself the right time to relax or take a step back from a busy life. But I've learnt being in lockdown and on furlough that not being busy all the time is healthy. It's good for my mental health and sanity really to have a little break.
I'm still on furlough at the minute and even though I'm trying to keep busy, I'm also trying to live a bit more intuitively and do with what feels right for my mind. This can be either having a full productive day or lying in and chilling.
Quality time is so important
Being shut in our houses for a few months really made me realise how important it is to keep myself surrounded by people I love. It was the weirdest few months not hanging out with my friends in person or seeing my work colleagues from day to day. I missed that much-needed interaction on a regular basis and when it slowly was allowed to come back, I appreciated it more and more.
Lockdown also gave me the opportunity to spend a lot more time in my house and with my family, which is something I wouldn't have got so much off in 'normal times.'
Spending excess money isn't necessary
Like any other girl my age, I love travelling, I love a day out in London, a trip to the theatre, meals out or a night out. However, something I learnt in lockdown is that even though, they are some of my favourite things to do, they aren't necessary. I was able to have fun with the simpler things; picnics on the beach, garden gatherings and just being with people, or talking over Zoom. It wasn't all about the 'fun activities', it's about who I spent my time with.
That I was one of the lucky ones
I'm fully aware that in lockdown, I was one of the lucky ones and I'm very grateful for that. I was able to move back home with my family in a house with a garden (that came in handy a lot in the first few months of lockdown.) I got furloughed so was able to keep an income during this whole period and I had people around me to keep me company. My heart went out to those who got laid off from their jobs or the many people who got and passed away from the virus. It's such a sad and unfortunate time and I cannot be more grateful for my health, my family and friends.
I hope you enjoyed this post. What did you learn from lockdown?
Thank you for reading <3
It's so great that you have been able to reflect on all this. It can be easy to get sucked into just the negative aspects of a lockdown. My husband is immunocompromised so we continue to isolate and are going a bit crazy being inside more than we are outside, but we are thankful for being able to stay safe. Fab post!
ReplyDeleteIt really is! I hope you both are keeping safe - thank you for the lovely comment xx
DeleteCompletely agree with the Spending excess money isn't necessary one, I've learnt that some things aren't always needed x
ReplyDeleteIt's so true and I've now started to save a lot more instead of spend unnecessarily xx
DeleteI love your point about being busy all the time isn't healthy. I think there's such a huge misconception especially in blogging and "hustle culture" that we should be busy all the time but nooo! x
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I think I definitely learnt this point the hard way but it's so important to highlight xx
DeleteI think lockdown made a lot of people reflect and find more positives. You're so right, being busy all the time isn't healthy!
ReplyDeleteI agree, thank you lovely xx
DeleteCompletely agree with all of these! I've definitely been appreciating where I live a lot more and saving money has been amazing!
ReplyDeleteTash - A Girl with a View
That's so lovely! xx
DeleteI really love this post, I think it's a good way to look at things in a positive light considering what we've all been through/are still going through. I wish I could've told myself about not having to be busy all the time whilst in lockdown, I was so hard on myself for having too much lazy time when in reality, it's a really mentally challenging time for all of us and proper mental breaks are essential. I've definitely been appreciating where I live as well, there's a country park near me that's been amazing for taking walks around and I never properly appreciated it before lockdown.
ReplyDeleteAlice xx
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! I'm glad you've been able to appreciate where you live more xx
DeleteI know that we may now go back into lockdown soon, so I wanted to come back and read this post to remind myself that there are positives that can come out of a time of uncertainty and worry. Your outlook on life and your attitude is everything I need right now!
ReplyDeleteRosie
loverosiee.co.uk