Lockdown Diaries: How I’ve Spent Lockdown 3.0

Before I start today’s post – how are you? It’s been a weird year now, almost a whole year since the first UK lockdown, and it’s a super weird time in general! Now, onto the lockdown diaries…

I’ve seen so many posts, comments, vlogs of people saying how much harder lockdown 3 has been. It just hit different some how. Throwback to the first lockdown – or Lockdown 1.0 – I was posting weekly diaries. This time round, I haven’t even gathered enough updates to post fortnightly. I’ve done nothing other than exercise and blog. So, rather than posting weekly diary-style updates, I’m just posting this one round-up post of a few of the things I’ve been up to. I know it’s not technically over yet, but I couldn’t particularly see myself doing anything suddenly that would warrant waiting!

Why is it Different this Time Round?

Apart from the obvious that we’re just all a bit fed up of lockdowns now, there was a number of differences between this one and the previous national lockdowns. That feeling of not being able to change it or avoid it, but also just being almost a year in – on and off – from when we first had the announcement is just a bit of a drag at this point.

During the first lockdown the UK also had that insane weather. Remember, it was sunny, like, everyday! My daily routine was waking up, exercising while it was cool, shower, get changed into denim shorts, slather up in sun lotion, and slob outside for the remaining hours of the day. My tan was crazy, I looked like I’d been somewhere tropical on holiday.

Plus, I don’t know if I’m the only one, but there was something quite exciting about the first lockdown. Once I got past the fearful part, it was kind of fun having to find new ways to socialise and to have a completely different day-to-day. Past the first month that obviously disappeared.

Then the second lockdown we had Christmas right around the corner. It sucked that we couldn’t celebrate in the same way, but at least there was something to look forward to. This time there’s not a lot. Valentine’s Day, sure, and Easter. But they’re not the most festive holidays. It kind of just feels like we’re waiting now, but not sure what for.

What Have I Been Up To?

The main difference for me this time around is that I moved out. I made the decision because I started dating my boyfriend in between lockdowns last year, and when this one was announced I had to make the decision.

I’ve mainly flitted about. The first lockdown I was posting about making honeycomb, and baking cakes. This time it’s been a much bigger focus on things like the blogging, and general living. I’ve been spending my weekdays focusing on working on the blog and blog related bits, then at the weekend I let myself move downstairs to the living room so I can relax a bit more. Even if I am still obsessing over blog-related things.

What I’m Looking Forward To Currently

The best piece of advice I can give from my experience is to take positivity from the small things. I’ve found that, where I used to get excited about nights out and big events, now it’s the little things that have been making a difference. I have a few things on the horizon at the moment that I’m heading towards. For one, one of my favourite real housewives, Margaret Josephs (of New Jersey) has brought out a new book, which I’ve preordered for May. The great thing is, I know I’ll forget about it by then, so that’ll be a nice treat in the post.

For the home, I’ve loved the glow this little mouse lamp brings. It’s a lamp that looks cute on and off, and doesn’t take up a lot of room, so it’s perfect for any home. At the moment I’m in between moving out – it’s a hard task when you’re not allowed in both the houses you’re moving between. This guy is waiting to join me in my new house at the moment, but I can’t wait for him to be on my desk, brightening my day.

Obviously travel is something keeping me going, which is one of the big things I’m looking forward to. In the meantime I’m working on my bucket lists (so far I’ve made a UK travel list, which I think will happen sooner, and the worldwide bucket list), and getting inspiration. I’ve mainly been ordering travel books to keep myself going, but also starting to pull together little treats for when I do travel.

Keeping up my fitness outside of at-home lockdowns is also something I’m looking forward to. I’ve never been a big gym-goer, but I’m keen to give it a try now I have a new fitness routine that I’m happy with. And lastly, my nails are crying out for some attention. As an ex-nail biter I’m quite precious over my nails, so I can’t wait until I can get to a nail salon again. In the meantime, I’m using my at-home kit.

Keeping Positive the Third Time Around

Fitness has played a massive part in keeping me positive this time around. I decided that it was the goal for the year that I was going to focus on the most to start with, and it really helped. I updated my weekly fitness plan, and so far have done a pretty good job of sticking to it. Keeping fit forces me to get outside for some fresh air too, which makes a huge different on how I’m feeling.

Making sure to do things that I enjoy, which is surprisingly difficult when you have nothing but free time. You constantly feel like you should be doing something useful, which shouldn’t be the case. And making sure I’m socialising as much as possible. I’m getting to the point now where socialising is feeling a bit sad, because I want more than anything to meet my friends face-to-face. But just being able to have a catch up with them still helps a lot on the positivity front.

What I’ll Be Taking from This Lockdown

It’s hard to take anything from lockdowns now, don’t you think? The first time round I learned to appreciate my friends as much as I could, and not take anything for granted. But I almost feel like I’ve learnt everything I can from being in lockdown.

The one thing I’ve learnt a lot is free time, and what to do with it. I used to fill my spare time with telly watching mainly, but now I feel like I want to do so much more with it. I want to read more – I’ve pre-ordered a book today – and definitely stick with the fitness.

What’s To Come?

I think the next thing for us is going to be what we learn from coming out of lockdown, rather than what we learn from being in one. I’m totally hoping that we’re going to take all the things we talked about into everyday life when it’s eventually back to normal.

Positivity for Your Bookcase!