What I've Learned During Lockdown

It's a weird feeling as lockdown is slowly being lifted. I feel as if we've been in lockdown for ages, but also that it's really flown by. I think everyone can agree that lockdown has completely changed our lives and we've ultimately changed.  When we are eventually able to look back on lockdown, I sincerely hope that all of us can remember the incredible things members of the community have done for us and how grateful we should be to be where we are. I thought I'd share on here some of the things I've learned during lockdown; 

We don't need to run a million miles an hour

Although I've always been quite good at giving myself 'nothing' weekends, I've really been enjoying the fact that I don't need to be stretching myself really thin. My job usually tends to be a lot of 24/7 work, but due to working at home, and PR being quite limited, I've been able to stick to more of a 9-5 day which I think my body and mind has really been enjoying. I've really started to appreciate my weekday evenings at home, and my long relaxing weekends. I've gotten back into the routine of including pamper days into my weeks as well. However, I know that I'm fortunate in the fact that there are some incredible people who have been tirelessly working throughout Coronavirus. 

I can effectively sometimes work from home

I think this is something that a lot of businesses have also learned. Although there are a few aspects of my work that I can't do from home, I've seen how effectively I can work from home and hopefully this will make businesses aware that their employees can be more flexible and be more trusted to work from home. I know I've been extremely fortunate where my company has been incredibly supportive whilst we've adapted to new ways of working. As with many people it was difficult firstly to get into working from home (especially as I was only about 8 weeks into my new job when we were sent home in March) but it's been surprisingly easy to get myself into a routine. 

I have much more will-power to work out from home than I thought 

I wouldn't exactly call myself a gym bunny, far from it, but never would have I imagined that I would actively work out from home, mainly because I have always found it so difficult. I find myself more productive in gym classes than just doing my own workouts in the gym. However I've been really surprised with how we've been coping. In a week I usually do about 3 workouts, sometimes/rarely 4. This would include one morning a Joe Wicks class, one day a dance class with a selection of Fitness Marshall dances and then I have been trying to run 5k as well. It's definitely not been easy, but this does mean that this is something I can take forward on long holidays or when I go home, that I can still exercise outside of a gym. 

I've taken small things for granted

Probably one of the biggest things I've learned and everyone else has realised too. Whether it's from being able to go out for dinner after work, go to the city to have a couple of drinks on the weekend, this has really put everything in perspective. My flatmate and I started to give ourselves one takeaway a week and honestly we looked so forward to our Saturday night takeaway and Disney + nights. I've been very advantaged in the fact that I've been able to travel to some amazing places, and sadly quite a few of my holidays this year were cancelled. I feel as if I've really taken for granted how easy it was to just jump on plane. 

Technology has been a blessing in some ways 

As my parents live abroad, and my nearest family is a train ride away, it was a long time until I could go see family, even from a difference. My family Zoom quizzes have been although incredibly demanding these themed costumes have gotten out of control. it's been so nice to see everyone. We've had some hilarious weeks and honestly I was a little heartbroken when we had our last family quiz last night.  Technology has just been incredible to bring people together. 

Let me know in the comments below what you've learned during lockdown, even if it's not something deep i.e learned how to make a specific dish pop it in the comments below!