What Positives Can We Take From Lockdown?

I feel a strange sense of irony that this Easter bank holiday is supposed to be a celebration of rebirth, resurrection and new beginnings; yet we're all stuck inside waiting for a 'rebirth' of society as we know it.

For all we know, that might not happen for a number of weeks yet, so I think it's time to sit down with a glass of wine and spend a bit of time thinking about the positive things we can take away from this lockdown.

A Chance to Connect With People

We spend so much of our time caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that it can be hard to stay in touch with the people we love. Whether it's a text message that gets read but not replied to; a call that's not returned; or a special event that you have to miss because you've got 'prior work commitments' - life often gets in the way.

But this lockdown has presented a unique opportunity for all of us to reach out to people (albeit virtually) and stay connected. Video chats, long phone calls and messages of support have become a regular daily activity for most of us, and while we can't physically visit people, this extra time is arguably bringing us closer together.

I mean, how amazing is it that we have the technology to spend an evening playing a pub quiz with family from across the country, a luxury that no previous generation had when going through a pandemic or global crisis. It's important that we don't take this luxury for granted. If you haven't already, give your best friends and close family a call, write them a letter or even just send a text. I guarantee it will put a smile on their faces.

Time to Work on Yourself

I have to admit that there have been days where I've woken up after midday and not bothered to get ready, and makeup hasn't graced my face for over a week. But I'm not beating myself up about it!

That being said, I think it's important to see this time as an opportunity to work on ourselves, physically and mentally. That includes being kind to yourself when things become overwhelming. Treat yourself to a decent hair mask and a long bath, clear out your wardrobe and read a good book.

Starting this blog, for me, has been one of those things I've thought about for ages but never really had the time to do. Sitting down and working on this has been a great source of comfort for me over the past few weeks.

Setting yourself up with a few personal goals like this can be a great way to stay positive (and occupied) during this period of isolation. I talk in more depth about staying sane during the pandemic in my previous blog, but exercise, fresh air and affirming activities will really help you pull through.

Beyond staying sane in the present, now is a great time to look towards the future - what do you want to do when lockdown is over... besides having a massive bender with all your friends? It's very rare that we have these breaks from the norm, and this might be the kick in the backside you need to make some really positive changes in your life.

Whether you're thinking about buying a house, starting a new job, organising your finances or simply trying a new hairstyle, you should see this lockdown as a chance to come up with some post-quarantine plans.

The Sunshine

Okay, I had to give the sunshine a special mention. Can we just talk about the amazing weather we've had so far? On some days, I've genuinely felt like I've been on holiday abroad, and if that's not a positive to take from lockdown then I don't know what is!

I can guarantee that if we were all stuck inside and the weather was grey, rainy and sad that our spirits wouldn't be nearly as high as they are. Plus, the thought of being cooped up in the office while the sun is shining is enough to make anyone chuck on some suncream and head outside. I aim to go back to work with a fairly substantial quarantine-tan and I fully recommend you get outside and sunbathe while you can too.

L x