Things I Don’t Want to End Once Lockdown is Over
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The End is in Sight…
With the recent restrictions being lifted this past weekend, it seems like life is returning to a new normal. And whilst I’m looking forward to socialising with friends, seeing family and eating out again, there are some things I don’t want to end once lockdown is over.
Sure, when it was announced that I could finally go and get my hair done and I made my first plan for dinner out with friends, I had a jolt of excitement. However, this does come with fear. I’m still uncertain in shops, especially with masks not being compulsory in the UK. Almost every food shop I’ve had someone come close to me (or lean over me to reach things) so imagine what they are going to be like come lifting of restrictions.
However, seeing how other countries are doing gives me hope. Life is not going to be normal, but it will be a new type. My husband is finally back at work after three months of being furloughed, I can finally see my friends safely. However, as I mentioned, there are some things I don’t want to end once lockdown is over. This new way of life has brought some positive changes that I’m very much looking forward to keeping. Things I want to do for the rest of my life…
SLOWER PACE OF LIVING.
I use to pride myself on a full diary and having a great and busy social life. This very much came to a halt in March. Since this time, life has been much slower and I’ve been enjoying it. Now when I make plans, I’m very much looking forward to the event. As an introvert, I’m constantly putting myself in places whereby I’m not dreading the event. Socialising one after the other with no break in between. Now the plans are few and far, with people I really care about and truly want to see. I like having weekends to myself, relaxing outside enjoying the sun with a good magazine. This slower pace of life is something I do want to keep up once we get our new normal.
SAVINGS.
It’s not lost on me how lucky I am that I’ve been able to put away money. Whilst my husband was on furlough, I got to keep working throughout this time. The one thing that has come out of it is how much we’ve been able to save (more than when we were on full-time salary). Savings and having an emergency fund is something that has become important to us and very much something we are going to be working towards in the future.
Honestly, without lockdown, I wouldn’t have realised some of the pointless spendings we had been doing. Right at the beginning, the decision of whether or not to use your one time to go out to get a chocolate bar was major. The tedious, small spends have pretty much gone. Along with that, we’ve been looking at subscriptions and other places where we’ve been spending and not needed. It’s a full 180 on our spending that I want to stay.
BEING OUT AND ABOUT OUTDOORS.
I was slowly getting into hiking and taking advantage of The Moors that are practically on their doorstep back in December. However, with work being fast-paced for both my husband and me, the hikes became less and less. At the beginning of lockdown, we were allowed one walk a day/ going out of our houses and I relished that time to breathe some fresh air. Now there are no limits, but I’m cautious with my time. I’m incredibly lucky to have woodlands a stone throw away from my house. And, as you would have known about if you’re following my Instagram Stories or my have ready my at-home gym guide, you’ll know that I’ve taken up daily walking. I average about 5km a day. This is something I truly want to keep up in our new normal. I get exercise, fresh air and time to think. Some of my best ideas have come about on a daily walk.
GROWING MY GARDEN.
Another thing that I don’t want to end once lockdown is over is my investment in my garden. At the beginning of March, I started with strawberries in a pot. Now, I’m down for creating a veg corner, wanting to grow tomatoes, courgettes and something else. I also want to do a small herb garden and grow more flowers. Very much investing in my courtyard.
Speaking of the courtyard, I’m looking forward to giving it a makeover and creating an outdoor living space. I’m hoping to work with one of my favourite brands to create a little space where we can relax and unwind in the evening. Getting outdoors and growing plants is something that I hope to keep going for years to come.
WORKING FROM HOME.
With my job, it’s unlikely that I will be back in the office full time until 2021. However, the option of working from home is something I don’t want to end once lockdown is over. It works well into my slower-paced living and gives me a better work/ life balance. However, I do miss my colleagues and it would be lovely to see a fresh pair of walls. I’m hoping and confident that this lockdown will change the way we work forever, and we’ll find a lot more jobs that required us in an office will no longer be the case. Hopefully, my employer will be open to me WFH most of the time and having a few check-in days at the office.
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