What I’m Taking Into Lockdown 2.0

Here’s hoping that this lockdown won’t last as long as the first one, but I think mentally we’re kind of all more prepared for this one than the first time round. That’s not to say it’s any easier mentally, but we sort of know what to expect.

With all that being said, I think we all learnt a lot in the first lockdown – it was a totally new concept and no one knew what to expect, what was going to happen or how long it would last. Everyone was obviously in different positions – working from home, furloughed, unemployed, or some working as normal. It was a good time to reflect whatever your circumstances, and here’s some things I learnt from the last lockdown that I want to bring with me to Lockdown 2.0.

It’s probably worth mentioning that this lockdown is a lot different for me, because thankfully so far universities and colleges are allowed to remain open, which means I’m still in full time dance training for 4 days a week at the moment. We’re working on a virtual show so rehearsals are well underway and we’ll be filming all of that before we break up for Christmas if all goes to plan.

IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE PRODUCTIVE

Especially with the comparison aspect of social media, it’s hard not to get caught up in watching everyone else achieve this, that and the other and feel like you’re not worthy because you’re not being productive or ‘using time wisely’ 24/7. But sometimes you just need to take a break and if you want to have a duvet day or just watch Netflix, THAT IS OKAY.

SELF CARE, SELF CARE, SELF CARE

If anyone learnt anything from the first lockdown, I hope it’s the importance of self care. I’m not just talking face masks (the beauty kind) and bubble baths (although it actually is one of my personal goals to do more of these) but things like meditation, moving your body to make you feel good rather than constantly beasting yourself with hardcore HIIT workouts, and really just checking in with yourself and acknowledging how you actually feel, then doing things that make your soul happy.

READING

As a lot of people did, I really got into reading during Lockdown 1.0 and it’s something I’ve been trying really hard to keep up as life has been resuming normality, but it’s a lot harder when you have a 9-5 taking up the majority of your days. I’m currently reading Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, and am really enjoying it but missing having hours on end to snuggle up with a book. I’m determined to always have a book on the go though and want to get to a total of 20 books in 2020.

DISCIPLINE

I think there’s a fine line between resting and taking time off when you need it, and sticking to a plan and having more of a disciplined routine in your life. This could be in terms of having a balanced nutritious diet, sticking to your workout plan or getting up at the same time every day. I’m a huge believer in listening to your body and taking an extra rest day when you need it, but sometimes it’s easy to let that slip into taking a whole week off and then falling off the wagon. I think I did a good job at keeping some consistency in the previous lockdown, and I’d like to keep that in my 3 day weekends – making sure I have at least 1 full day of rest but also not just staying in bed for 3 days.

That’s pretty much it for me at the moment – these are the things I’m going to be focused on between now and Christmas. I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful that I’m still allowed to go and train at college as I think I’d be struggling a lot more if I wasn’t able to do that. My heart goes out to anyone in a more difficult position and I’m always here for a chat if anyone is struggling!

Lots of love and please stay safe,

L x