If anyone told me that in March you’d have three months off work still being paid and in a UK lockdown, I would have spat my large Sauvignon Blanc all over the place; thinking they were telling some ridiculous joke. But that’s exactly what happened.
Lockdown happened.
It had its highs, it had its lows, and despite what was going on we made it into what we could. I think it’s safe to say we’re all happy we’re finally coming out of it with some sort of normality creeping back into life.
Is the correct expression, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel? I’m not sure, but at last, we’re not bound to our homes only being able to leave for essential shopping and exercise.
At last! Finally! Hallelujah! We’re able to see family, friends, go out for dinner, go shopping, head to the gym and even stay at a hotel for a night or two! Finally, all the things we’ve been wanting to do for the past three months are happening, they’re finally here.
But yet why does it feel overwhelming but also underwhelming at the same time?
Throughout lockdown I think we all wished and hoped that this week would be the last, the next news announcement will be the one telling us all, the lockdown was easing and we could see friends, family again.
But the weeks went on. Three, six, nine and then twelve weeks... surely this was the time we’d be free? It was and it wasn’t. After twelve weeks, things began to ease, we could socially distant with friends, go out for unlimited exercise, visit more places, gaining that little bit more freedom with each new announcement that was made by Boris.
Fast forward a few months and here we are.
Restaurants have reopened (yay), the majority of us are back at work, gyms have reopened, clothes shops, pubs and cinema’s, we have freedom again. You can even head abroad (if you’re feeling comfortable to do so)!
Having waited three months for this moment, the moment that life suddenly becomes somewhat normal, why has it hit me like a slap on the face?
For me, it’s almost felt like it suddenly just happened. I suddenly just began meeting up with friends again, booking restaurants to eat out in, staying at a hotel and generally going out more.
It hasn’t just happened at once, it was a gradual transition and we waited a long, a very long time for freedom to happen. But yet, for some reason, it’s felt like It's gone from absolutely nothing to everything all at once. From zero to a hundred in 0.5 seconds.
From crossing plans out in my diary to now putting new plans in. Trying to get my head round working shifts again at work and failing to get back into any normal bedtime routine. It’s been a quick life-style change that I still feel I’m trying to frantically adjust to.
Having to plan, organise and schedule things back in, friends to see, missed appointments to reschedule, as well as heading back to work, it’s safe to say I haven’t been used to this in a long time.
Work itself has been tough. I’ve been used to not working before for a few weeks or months whilst travelling, going back to the same job and feeling like I’m just continuing where I left off before I went away, but this time has felt completely different. As to be expected for most, as I’m not sure anyone was prepared for a global pandemic and lockdown to hit in 2020 (Is anyone else excited for 2020 to end??)!
With everything that has gone on and everyone being in the same boat, it’s taken a lot longer than I thought it would, to get back into the ‘swing’ of things.
But that’s ok.
It’s ok it’s taken us a while to get back into the swing of things, to get used to a busier lifestyle, to feel stressed with everything happening at once again. As well as everything that happened during the lockdown. The strain, the stress, the uncertainty, the loneliness that I’m sure we all felt at some point, the not knowing and the worry we all experienced with what was going on.
It’s ok to still feel a little overwhelmed at times, to feel anxious and to not feel ok, that’s ok. And it’s now reflecting back that I see that.
So in these times what do we do?
We stop.
Now as life resumes it’s ok to take a moment, to stop, to relax, to look after ourselves. Have days for yourself, where you don’t need to be anywhere, you don’t have plans or appointments. A day of you. And I will admit I will give myself ‘me days’. A day all about me. Not doing anything in particular (or nothing at all, your choice) but just doing what you want to do. If that’s having a cup of tea in your pj’s until midday, going to the gym, going shopping, baking, watching Netflix or pampering yourself with a face mask and bath. Those times are important, a little self-care is what we all need from time to time.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, underwhelmed, uncertain, scared or anxious that’s ok. You won’t be the only one, It’s ok not to be ok.
We got this. We’re in this together.
Plus we’ve got dine out to help out on the moment (half price food, yes please!!), cocktails being made still on a 2-for-1 and some (unpredictable) British weather to enjoy!
Keep smiling, keep thriving and stay safe.
Amy x