Life post-lockdown

There has been a lot of discussion about the impending end of lockdown. We will be able to go to people’s homes, meet with larger groups of friends, go out for dinner and even go to a wedding!

Whilst some people are jumping out of their skin in anticipation of these changes; others are worried. They are worried about what they will lose, how their relationships will change, and are questioning how much of their life they want to bring back in. This is a very similar conversation to the one I had with many people as lockdown ended last year. How do I go back to my life but keep my boundaries? How do I maintain parts of this new lifestyle I have created for myself?

So before you start booking yourself in for three social catchup’s a day… I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on the past few months. Whilst it has been filled with challenges, it seems that there are parts of this slower lifestyle that many of us enjoy and are afraid of losing. With this in mind, ask yourself the following questions:

What do I want to take forward with me from this experience?

What in my life am I more grateful for following this experience?

What am I looking forward to bringing back into my life?

Again, the same as last year we have an opportunity to consciously create the type of lifestyle that works best for us - a mix of slow and busy, social and reflective. I encourage you, going forward, to consciously make time for what you realise life was missing before, to practice gratitude for what you have developed a new appreciation for and when possible, bring back into your life the elements that were missed.

This pandemic and lockdown has brought us all closer to who we are, what drives us and what we truly need in order to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Use this reflective activity as an opportunity to ensure that as you re-engage with past pleasures you are doing this mindfully and with your newfound awareness.

Go gently,

Maddy