Three months ago life changed for all of us. Lockdown. Questions raced around in circles inside our brains. What does it mean? How will we cope? How will my life change? It happened, literally overnight, but when we woke up in the morning, not everything had changed. The sun still rose and the birds still sang. In fact, we could actually HEAR them singing. We still had our morning coffee. We still opened up our laptops and got to work. At the start, people seemed to embrace it. Then there was a wobble. Then it became the new normal. Human beings are wonderfully resilient. We can do this!
I absolutely want to acknowledge that for many people it was and still is incredibly hard. It has taken a toll on many people's mental health, especially those who live alone and strive on connection. It has left others in financial turmoil. It has been a struggle for many. For me though, lockdown was an unexpected gift of time. I was forced to slow down, which is what I had been wanting to do for a long time in my ultra fast paced life. Balance and me never seemed to meet anywhere close to the middle. My self-care stepped up a 100%. Finally I had to face those habits I knew were not serving me and create new ones. Things that had been gathering dust on my to-do list (some for years) finally got done! My side hustle went from less hustling and more doing!
And then, just as we got used to the new normal, lockdown was eased. Here we go again, the rollercoaster of emotions, the same questions racing around in our brains. Of course, it's a positive thing, Covid 19 is losing the battle, the economy is ready to fight for it's place once again. But although a positive thing, that doesn't mean we would just walk out of lockdown without any anxieties. Are we safe? Will I slip back into all my old habits? Will I still find time for me?
I was determined not to let all the old habits sneak their way back in. And I knew that wouldn't be easy. And it hasn't been. With only 3 hours to myself in the evenings before bed beckons, it isn't easy to squeeze in side hustle work, exercise, eating, connecting with loved ones, meditating, self care practices and the rest. Especially when, tired after a long day, the tv and couch seem all too inviting. But I have not given up. It's true, I have much less time to do it all. I'm out of the house for 12 hours a day so I have to really plan out my week now. And, though I may not be exercising every day of the week, I am ensuring I do so more days than not, even if its just a twenty minute workout or yoga flow, I'm doing it! I have slipped back into some unwanted habits (couch and tv again!) but I'm aware of this and more planning of how I can best utilise my time is on this weekends agenda. I know one thing's for sure, I will not let Lockdown have been for nothing. I have goals that I will not stop working towards. I have dreams I know can come true. I created habits that serve me and my well-being well. Habit, determination to reach my goals and mindset are what will make this happen. And maybe a little luck here and there for good measure!
What did Lockdown teach you? Did you let go of any bad habits that were not serving you and create new ones you will carry on into our 'new normal'? Have you got a new appreciation for a slower pace of life? One where you stop and take time to really savour the simple things? I'd love you to share in the comments.
If you are struggling with mindset, habit changing or taking the first important step to get you closer to your goal, working with a coach may be just the nudge you need and a great support to help you gain clarity on what it is you really want and what it is that is stopping you from going after it. Contact me through my website if you would like to find out more about how I can support you to reach your goals.
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