Lessons from Lockdown

It seems strange that we are into our sixth week of the lockdown, and they say it takes around six weeks to establish new habits. We have certainly formed some new habits here, and I think it’s helped me to learn a few new lessons.

My children must feel secure

I think the biggest thing for me is that the children haven’t really mentioned much about the situation and have adapted well to the changes. There’s been nothing out of the ordinary behaviour wise and they’ve been pretty good at just getting on with our new normal. I know that they’d much rather things be as they were, but I think they must feel safe and secure to have adapted so well. I was recently interviewed on BBC Kent and I was asked about how the children felt knowing that their schooled friends lives looked like theirs now, and it made me realise that they haven’t really mentioned it. They just accept the situation as it is.

I need movement

The lockdown has reminded me that I really do need to move in a big way to feel good. PE with Joe has been brilliant and this is something I will definitely continue with into the future. Moving in a fast and explosive way first thing really does set me up well for the day ahead. I have ordered some resistance bands to add in a change to my workouts and have found a couple of new YouTube channels to follow alongside The Body Coach channel. Before the lockdown Joe Wicks wasn’t someone I really followed, but not I am completely sold! I think his energy, enthusiasm and belief in the power of movement are fantastic and his commitment to the weekday workouts is second to none. I am also keen to find a yoga or pilates online video stream too. I’ve tried a couple but not found one that quite works for me just yet.

We have also been having fun with Just Dance on my old Wii console (and I was super excited to see there is a pretty recent version available!). Simply moving in some way really helps to improve my mood.

Reading helps me to escape

I’ve always loved to read, but even more so now. I’ve managed to clear some of my reading pile and catch up on some kindle downloads. I’ve discovered reading boxes which have been a great way of trying out some books that I’d never usually choose. There is also this new one that I have found that looks to be a bargain at just £10 for four books.

Reading is a real form of escapism and instead of scrolling through the news and social media of an evening I sit and read. My sleep has improved enormously over the last two months. In the past it wasn’t uncommon for me to have quite broken sleep on a very regular basis but this is now really unusual. I think I’ve only had 2/3 bad nights sleep in the last couple of months and I think it’s reading that has helped me to get a better nights’ sleep.

I am more skilled than I thought

I have enjoyed taking the time to learn new skills. I bought some craft kits a few months back and had never quite got round to trying them out. Earlier this week I finished a beautiful embroidery kit and am so pleased with how it turned out. I want to do more now and have my eye on a few from Etsy with bumblebees on, but I really ought to finish a few of the others kits I have outstanding!

I’ve also been pushing myself to try new meals. We have got into a bit of a rut eating the same old tried and tested meals so I downloaded Lean in 15 Veggie and have been trying out a few of the recipes from there. We have had some great meals and it’s made me want to push myself further to try more and different ideas.

Lockdown has been difficult in some ways, but in others has been a good lesson and reminder to slow down and enjoy all that we have. I am fortunate to be somewhere safe and to not have any immediate financial concerns. I’ve been able to send some gifts out to family and friends as a little reminder that we are thinking of them and miss them and look forward to meeting with them all again soon.

Has lockdown delivered any lessons for you?