I’m not going to lie and say lockdown has been fun, overly insightful, or something I care to repeat but there have definitely been fun moments and I have learnt an few things that I thought I’d share with you. Some of the below are small and silly and some are more important but either way, here are the 6 things I’ve learnt from lockdown:
- Walking isn’t that bad. I kinda hated walking before lockdown which was a real hassle considering Katie loves a long walk and is great at dragging me along (especially first thing in the morning when I’m hungover from a night of G&T’s). But I have to admit I’ve actually started to enjoy our daily walks. I’ve learnt to appreciate the time outside in the fresh air, and I’m actually enjoying this new found form of exercise. Who knew power walking could work up such a sweat!
- Childhood crafts are fun and you should re-explore them. About a month ago, I purchased an overpriced beading kit from Ruby (I will not be accepting any judgement on this decision) and it has provided me with countless hours of fun. I have identical flower bracelets coming out my ears because I only know how to make one style of bracelet, but I don’t care. I’m going to start crocheting next as I’ve already got an order for a bucket hat! (Also if anyone wants a poorly made flower bracelet please let me know as I’m not ready to give this hobby up yet!)
- Don’t feel bad for not being productive. I ended my first lockdown with 6kg less fat on my body, a rekindled love for reading and a great new job. Unfortunately, lockdown 2.0 has not been quite as successful for me. I’ve gained back most of the 6kg, have done almost no reading and am definitely struggling to focus for an 8 hour work day. And that is okay! I am now enjoying lockdown focusing on the fact that I will probably never get the chance to be lazy as fu*k for weeks with no consequences ever again. Just chill out team!
- Always try to budget an extra $20 to buy some flowers. I was never someone who cared for flowers but being stuck inside has really made me love having a fresh set of flowers on the kitchen counter! They liven up the house and surprisingly really lift my mood. You know that feeling when you clean a room and then top it off by lighting a candle, really satisfied and content, that’s how flowers make me feel now!
- Take “me time”. I have always been a huge ambassador of “Tegan Time”. Anyone who has lived with me before knows that I love to lock myself away in my room and indulge for 30 minutes. Although this is an old love of mine, lockdown (especially a lockdown where I am stuck in a small townhouse with two others) has really made me realize how important that practice is. I find I get really moody, emotional, and stressed if I don’t take that time to chill with myself everyday – it’s true what they say – you can’t pour from an empty cup!
- Check in on your friends – all of them. Lockdown has been hard on everyone, not just the people who openly talk about it. Reach out to your friends and see how they are doing (not just during lockdown but always). I know I have appreciated the check-in messages from friends I may not have spoken to recently. It has also been a good reminder to me that friendship won’t always be a perfectly 50/50. Sometimes friends will need a bit more of your love than they can give in return and that’s okay – everyone handles things differently!
Anyway, that’s what I’ve learnt. I’m excited to move to L3 on Sunday so I can stock up on crochet supplies and gin before we go back into another lockdown!
