Time has stood still – we’ve all had to put our lives on hold and stay at home for an indefinite period of time. Nobody could have predicted the unprecedented circumstances we’re living in and many of us have had difficulty adjusting to a new way of live for the foreseeable future. So I thought I’d share some of my reflections and the five things I’ve learnt (so far) during lockdown in the UK.
Five Things I’ve Learnt in Lockdown
- Structure and routine is important. Quite a lot of us are suddenly working from home which presents its own challenges. I’ve found that maintaining some structure to my day and sticking to a routine helps me to stay focused and not completely lose the plot. I also get dressed in jeans and a top everyday rather than staying in pyjamas or loungewear which makes me feel like I’m going to work, even though I’m not physically there. This makes me feel more productive during the day, and helps me balance work and home, where I can get changed into cosy clothes in the evening to relax.
- We’ve all been given the gift of time! No, seriously. We’re all spending a lot more time at home so it’s the perfect opportunity to learn new skills. There are a tonne of free, online courses available to develop yourself and your skillset so why not sign up to something new? I’ve been doing an online photography course for the last few weeks to try and learn a bit more and of course it’s something fun to do a couple nights a week.
- Mind over matter is real. As we go through lockdown, I’ve been trying to take each day as it comes and maintain a positive mindset as I’ve found that if I speculate, it can be quite overwhelming. It’s also important to accept that it’s okay to have bad days. these circumstances are not normal and we are all reacting differently to it. What’s getting me through each week is knowing that this isn’t going to last forever. The coronavirus situation has really emphasised that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Mind over matter, we can do it!
- I need time away from screens. Working from home means that I don’t have my normal commute to the office everyday and although it means I’ve suddenly got more time on my hands, I’ve found that I’m spending much more time in front of screens; computer screens, mobile phone screens and TVs. It’s mentally draining and can be a strain on your eyes so over the past few weeks I’ve needed to ensure that I’m doing regularly doing activities that don’t involve a screen such as jigsaw puzzles, board games, going cycling or cooking. Time away from screens can be so refreshing and a welcome break for your eyes.
- Family and friends are so important. As humans we crave social interaction so keeping in touch with others is vital to our sanity as we spend more time at home. I’ve had virtual team drinks, breakfast and lunch video calls and virtual coffee mornings through FaceTime and zoom and these are great ways to stay connected with our friends, family and work colleagues.
What have you learnt during lockdown?
