My Lockdown lifelines

As the clock struck midnight and we moved from 2020 into 2021 I was full of hope and optimism about the year being brighter. I had a sense of hope and optimism about what lie ahead …. Then a cluster fuck started about whether the schools would go back on the 4th January or not. Then after one day of kids being back in school (how pointless and reckless was that!) another national lockdown was announced. My mood plummeted as the stark reality hit … two months of homeschooling whilst trying to work, not being able to see all the friends I was so hoping to see, a fear that the stone in weight I gained at the beginning of the first Lockdown would return, the holiday booking abroad moved again, the road trip across America I was planning for the summer postponed a year, not being able to go to the cinema, out for a bite to eat or shopping. I could go on.

Then the phrase “It’s not what happens to you in life that matters, but how you respond to it.” popped into my head. So I could feel pretty down in the dumps or I could try and just get through, day by day.

Here are some of the little things that are keeping me going. They lift my spirits slightly and make me feel a teeny bit better. These life lines keep me going and give me a little boost of joy.

Zoflora Disinfectant Lavender Spray

I saw Mrs Hinch recommend this early last year. She was raving about how it killed 99.9% of bacteria. At a time when the nation had become germ phobic this spray became my magic potion that protected my family from COVID. Every morning I would spray it everywhere – door knobs, the tv controllers, handles to cupboards, toilet flush knobs, light switches. It’s heavenly lavender scent made me feel cleansed, calm and soothed in amidst a world full of hysteria.  

 Colourful clothes

After quite a while living in pyjama bottoms, tracksuit pants and leisure wear I was beginning to feel like a bit of a slob. I went through my wardrobe and brought the most colourful tops to the front. Wearing colour makes me feel vibrant. Colours can have a profound effect on our psychology. A colleague at work is just getting her colour palate tested by House of Colour image consultants to find out which colours complement her complexion and will make her eyes sparkle!

Daffs

For £1 a bunch you really can’t go wrong. I can’t go into a supermarket and not buy a bunch if I see them for sale. Daffodils symbolise spring. They are cheery reminders that winter is almost over and better times are to come. They make me smile.

Blue Light blocking glasses

Working from home and with three screens on my desk, as well as looking at my phone a fair bit each day,  I decided to try out a pair of blue light blocking glasses. There is evidence to show that constant exposure to digital blue light could lead to minor headache and eye fatigue. The pair I am wearing are from Veeto and cost me £10.99 off Amazon. Without a doubt the BEST thing about these glasses are the impact they have on my sleep, the first three nights I slept right through the night – a first in I can’t tell you how long!

My Fitness Pal app

The first lockdown, that started in March 2020, lead me to baking ridiculous amounts of banana bread and cakes with the kids, which I had a slice of every time I went into the kitchen (which was on average once an hour between 8am-9pm) this resulted in me gaining a stone in weight.  This time round I am using My Fitness Pal app to track my calories. It helps me to keep a realistic and honest eye on how much I am eating each day. It’s way too easy to have another few Jaffa Cakes or another glass of wine each night without realising how that adds up over a period of time. I still enjoy nice things just more in moderation now!

Getting outdoors everyday

This is my non negotiable. I have to use my once a day outdoor exercise in order to stay sane. When the walls feel like they are closing in and the heating making my skin dehydrated … I need to feel the air on my skin, see the trees sway, feel the rain or wind, be able to look far into the distance. One of the things I am most enjoying is looking for the most welcome signs of spring, green shoots bursting through the soil and the golden tassels of catkins on bushes.

My reading trolley

I used to be a school librarian. I loved the silence of the library, the smell of the books, the eternal opportunity to learn and escape. I saw this book trolley on Instagram and just had to get one! I have put my most favourite books on there that I can dip in and out of for inspiration. At the moment The Gift: 12 Lessons To Save Your Life by Dr Edith Eger is on the top – she survived Auschwitz and went on to become a psychotherapist. Another fav is Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty – full of bitesize chunks of wisdom.

Leslie Sansone’s YouTube walking videos

I got a Fitbit last year and aim to walk 10,000 steps each day. Some days I am sat at my desk or in my counselling chair for many hours. Other days the weather is bad and I don’t feel like exposing myself to the elements. I discovered Leslie Sansone, who is the walking queen, her videos allow you to go for a decent walk without going outside! It’s fun, upbeat and you will be surprised how many thousand steps you can clock up in just 20 minutes!

Houseplants

Bringing the outside in has been essential throughout the various lockdowns. Sales of houseplants have surged. There is something intensely pleasurable about seeing something grow. Taking care of an indoor plant, watering it, feeding it, pruning and repotting, can provide a calm interlude in an otherwise busy life. As well as looking good, indoor plants are good for your physical health, as well as mental health, as they help purify the air.

I would love to know what are your Lockdown Lifelines? What is keeping you sane? What brings a smile to your face?