Lockdown Lessons 2

Petunia.jpg

Last month I wrote a post on lessons I was learning whilst in Lockdown. I spoke about how my priorities were changing and how having a routine, getting dressed each day and making time for fitness makes a huge difference. You can see the post here https://www.antheabooysen.com/blog/lockdown-lessons

We went into lockdown in summer. The morning sun would shine through the kitchen patio doors and onto my laptop. Then it would move as the day warmed up and beam in through the kitchen windows. Now with us in autumn the sun shines later through the windows and I’m reminded that time is passing and the year is moving.

Sometimes I feel that life before Lockdown was a very long time ago. I was saying to Mark the other day that I’ve always appreciated being in nature, seeing new places and visiting a favourite restaurant. It wasn’t that I took it for granted. I did think of getting a latte on the way to the office as a treat. I took time to enjoy a browse around my favourite shops. When I’d had a very long day I’d look forward to a crisp glass of wine outside in the garden before dinner. Or I’d ask Mark to make a reservation at our favourite resturant if we felt like skipping gym and having a date night.

I know I was fortunate to enjoy those things - I don’t think I ever didn’t appreciate it. But I never thought I’d miss times that were considered ‘normal’ until mid March.

Lockdown has taught me alot. About myself. About my priorities. What I miss. What I seriously don’t miss. What I will say no to in future. What I’ll make more time for. I’ve learnt that I’m creative - from doing my own nails (even attempted a french manicure and pedicure yesterday) to creative writing. I’ve been making time to work on old stories I wrote when doing NaNoWriMo years ago. I’m doing more in the week to free up weekends and it might seem strange since weekends have no plans, nowhere to go and no-one to see. But believe me, when you start your Friday night with a clean home, empty laundry basket and pizza in the oven, the two free days ahead feel SO good.

Yesterday and today we had lazy brunches in the kitchen with good coffee. Mark worked on his macro photography - very excited for him as this is something he can enjoy at home.

I had a DIY home spa morning and enjoyed some pampering before doing my nails. It doesn’t look as amazing as when I go to my favourite spa but it still looks good. Tomorrow is Monday and I’m starting it with freshly painted nails and slightly tidier eyebrows.

And the Sunday nights in Lockdown are good! No rushing around to iron clothes for the next day. No grocery list being made (we used to do our grocery shopping on a Monday). No calculating how many workouts to fit in to make the weekly goal and remembering to re-set the alarms for early so we can go get our coffee.

We have a late dinner, potter around either watching the Sunday night movie or reading. There is a later start in the morning and I know I’ll begin it with a cup of tea thanks to Mark.

This picture is of a flower in our garden which I just had to photograph. We planted these Petunias many, many months ago. And what usually lasts a much shorter time has instead flourished in our garden (with just an odd drizzle of rain). Never before have flowers lasted so long. A little reminder that while things are uncertain, there are still good things or bright spots (I’m borrowing that term from a fellow blogger) to appreciate.

xx