MY THOUGHTS ON A SECOND LOCKDOWN IN ENGLAND

5 November 2020, Thursday, I woke up at 5:30 am to get ready for work and it was the first day of the second lockdown in England. My managers asked me to work for the next four weeks during the lockdown period. I was kind of expecting it, I’d rather come to work for short hours than be locked-up at home, be depressed and fat again. I felt a little weird because even though we are in a lockdown the bus that I took was still full and busy (with social distancing rule implemented, of course). And when I finished my shift, I took a bus again to go home and noticed that few people were roaming around Oxford Circus street. Most of the shops are closed except for essentials. It does not look like we are in a lockdown again.

The result of the rise in Covid-19 cases in the UK, which we were all expecting another national lockdown. Learning all the revisions to lockdown rules, I feel claustrophobic- the same feeling I felt when the first lockdown was announced. Now that announcing new measures has been normal for us, people in the UK tend to be confused, angry and anxious. It has been nearly a year of lockdown and more chaotic government expositions and it feels like we were on a carousel ride of turmoil without a real understanding of how we were meant to feel right now.

But this one is so different from the first one. The nights are getting longer, the weather is getting colder, and while we’re now allowed to spend more time outdoors than we were at the first lockdown, there’s going to be days when we don’t feel like it. I typically notice that this time of year affects my mood, like many people, so there is some confusion about what lockdown entails. It was much simpler in the springtime on days that were bright, light and sunny, even though we couldn’t get out there.

Who knows when and if the lockdown 2.0 will end. There were some rumours that the lockdown could end in March 2021. The only thing that matters to me is to see and spend time with my loved ones here in the UK on Christmas day.

TIPS TO IMPROVE LOCKDOWN DURING WINTER:

I still want to be optimistic and be happy despite all of these. So, here are some tips that I practice whilst we are in lockdown 2.0 to make it more pleasant.

1. Try to get outside every day no matter what weather it is. Take a walk to your favourite local park and enjoy the scenery.
2. If you are working from home, try to be organized and do not procrastinate so you will finish your job easily that day.
3. Embrace the season, appreciate the weather, it doesn’t matter if its cold, dark and wet outside, savour it.
4. Be adventurous in the kitchen. Learn new recipes, experiment and learn new cooking or baking techniques.
5. Declutter and clean your home, I guarantee you that it is therapeutic and rewarding.
6. Sell your old and unwanted stuff and earn extra money.
7. Use your free time to book health check-ups. I believe that it is more important to know our health condition at this time.

• 

• 

I hope you are all coping well and healthy. How are you all feeling about a second lockdown? Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Stay safe.

Lots of love,

Rainne x