Last year, 16th March 2020, the first lockdown was announced. In the months that followed, we were constantly confronted with our mortality as the virus spread and death rates skyrocketed. After months of terrible news, three lockdowns, trials and vaccines, the government has given us key dates for when restrictions are phasing out and will end completely.
April 12th and June 21st have now become infamous dates, around which we are planning our re-entry into the outside world. Knowing this, I cannot help but feel bittersweet about having my freedom back. The truth is, lockdown was actually a great way to develop myself and create some great habits. I guess having no place to go really brings out other parts of you.
Walking
With going out for exercise being one of the few things you can do, I found myself going out for walks. I made it a habit and committed myself to three days a week, four if I felt up to it or was making up for bad diet choices. Before lockdown, I did not think much of walking. I thought it was little boring. What can you do on a walk besides walk? Where was the fun in that?
Turns out, I was the one missing a great bonding experience with myself. I discovered more about where I lived and sorted out messy thoughts. Walking is not boring; there are literally hundreds of literature about its benefits. Moreover, if you slap on some earphones the experience becomes infinitely better.
Journaling
When I was younger, I wanted a diary. I thought every girl had one and I did not want to miss out. Back then, however, I did not have much to say to others and even less to say to myself. Therefore, the venture was fruitless. If you can believe it, it took a national lockdown for me to open to myself. I started writing in my journal in November 2020 and have written sentences and I have written paragraphs filling pages and pages; I found out that a journal is a perfect way of dealing with all the emotions, feelings and thoughts I had repressed.
Being able to see all your worries in a notebook and then closing it is cathartic. It is healing. Having a journal also allowed me to flex my creative muscles, I incorporated colour and images. I even created mini vision boards that I can now take with me on the go. Like walking, there are many reasons to journal. I am immensely proud of my consistency and dedication; I have loved writing in my journal and can never be without it. My mental health thanks me for this excellent decision.
Reading
Being confined in one space makes you reach out for things you might ordinarily ignore. I have always enjoyed reading but it does take a backseat when there are other means of instant gratification. For example, Netflix and Amazon Video. Nevertheless, reading was a great comfort to me in lockdown. From Where Angels Fear to Tread by E.M Forrester to Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams, I surely diversified my palate.
Recently, I read Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred. This book is worthy of huge praise; Butler explores time travel, love, hate, slavery and freedom. In 200-plus pages, she takes the reader on a journey in her fictional world that you almost do not want to leave. I thought about it as I slept and could not wait for daylight to carry on reading. It is truly a page-turner. If it ever gets adapted into a movie or series, I said it here first.
Online courses
Unemployment in the UK was at an all-time high due to the COVID-19 lockdown. So, it was easy to feel useless languishing our days at home. I have always been an active learner so I looked up some courses online to occupy my time. Websites like Open University and FutureLearn offer a wide range of courses, depending on what you are looking for and are interested in.
This great example of initiative and willingness to learn is something you can leverage once you are formally allowed out of your home. To a prospective employer, it shows you spent your time wisely during lockdown, honing your skills, knowledge and developing yourself. An employer will be pleased with your gumption and commitment to whatever sector you are pursuing a career in. I know this from experience.
Lockdown stripped us of our sanity, our freedom and whatever else in between. It did, however, provide us with a good opportunity to reflect, learn TikTok dances and so much more. I have been grateful for the chance to take a beat and do new things. Lockdown was not great, like at all, but it also was not bad. I know perspectives on lockdown will differ across the board, but for the reasons mentioned in this article, I will miss it.
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Written by Iyabowale Fadare
Illustrated by Francesca Mariama
