It’s been a while. Hello 🙂 I really hope everyone is keeping well and staying safe – sorry for starting this with something you’ve probably read a bazillion times recently.

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit straightaway that I am terrified of Covid-19 and distraught by how many lives have been lost. Those early days of lockdown were suffocating. I was totally lost, bingeing on worst case scenarios which was reality for so many, I spent hours endlessly scrolling through twitter for updated news stories. Honestly, there are still some days where I can’t think about anything other than coronavirus.

Before I go any further, I want to acknowledge that I know I am writing from a place of privilege, I am incredibly lucky to be able to safely work from the comfort of my home during the pandemic and realise this is not the case for everyone. I’m lucky to have what I need, endless support from Ankush, a lovely garden to spend time in and of course there is our almost 3 year old to lighten the mood (and drive us bonkers – we have officially entered the ‘WHY?’ phase).

Here’s a short list of things I’ve learnt during lockdown so far…

This is not normal, so normal parenting rules do not apply.
I am not tracking the amount of tv Anushka watches and this is absolutely fine. She now loves Dumbo, The Little Mermaid & Toy Story so this can only be a good thing.

My priorities have changed.
Things that mattered in March hardly seem to matter to me now. I have also accepted that I am not going to learn how to knit/a new language during lockdown. Nor am I going to master a sourdough starter.

Mental wellbeing is so important.
It is always important but at the moment it matters more than ever before. I need time alone and silence every now and then otherwise I’m on edge and snappy.

Jeans are not as comfortable as leggings.
I know this isn’t new news. It took me ages to stop wearing leggings after having Anushka in 2017 but why was I resisting such levels of comfort!? I started lockdown by dressing like I was in the office… this didn’t last long. I have video calls most days, so do still get ready & pop some makeup on. My hair is not always washed though.

Time passes in a weird way…
Some hours are short in days that are endless, then a week flies by in a month that feels like a year. I’m writing this on 11th May and I’ve been in lockdown since March 15th. I started working from home on Thursday 12th March, went to my two friends’ joint retirement & baby shower afternoon tea on Saturday 14th and that was it…. 58 days.

The thought of normal social interactions worries me.
Do we need to wear masks from here on in? Things are going to be very different for a long time.

People can be amazing.
Enough said.

I cry a lot.
Happy, sad, anything in-between.

We go through a lot of eggs.

I’m an introvert & I miss people but I low-key LOVE having no plans
Turns out I still can’t muster up enough energy to go on Zoom, Facetime or Houseparty. Complex. I said at the start of lockdown that I was going to become a hugger once this was over, I might retract this.

Grocery shopping could be a full time job if you include searching for delivery slots/click & collect slots…
If you ever actually get a slot, it feels like you’ve hit the jackpot.

When life goes back to ‘normal’, there are things I want to leave behind forever.

I’d love to hear what you’ve learnt since lockdown began, let me know…

Signing off for now, here are some photos 🙂