So many of us came into 2020 with positive attitudes and all these plans for the brand-new year and decade. And not one of us could have predicted what would happen in the coming months. It’s been a tough few months and everyone has been faced with their own trials and tribulations. But I’ve decided to look back over my lockdown experience and remind myself of the positive moments amongst the madness.
I saw this year as the start of a very exciting jump into the world of solo travel blogging. But sadly, I’ve missed out on all four trips I had planned that would have taken me to seven destinations. I was due to go to Vienna, Milan, Palma and a three-week trip across Asia including Dubai, Bali and Singapore. I’m hoping to rebook all of these trips but in particular I’d like to focus on replanning the Asia trip.
I’m still mourning the loss of my holidays and I’ve struggled with motivation and exhaustion across the lockdown months. But I did try not to completely waste the spare time that I wouldn’t normally have. Firstly, I signed myself for four diplomas as there was a sale on and unlimited time to complete them. I decided to sign up for Events Management, Digital Photography, Calligraphy and Makeup Artistry.
DIPLOMA SELECTIONS WITH CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
I’m currently working in the Events field, so I chose to start with the Events Management Diploma. I have management experience but not events in particular so I thought this would be a really helpful course. I’d love to one day run my own business and this course is giving me a real insight into things. So far, I’ve completed and passed seven assessments with a 100% mark with two modules remaining.
I chose Digital Photography as before lockdown I had started shooting bloggers for their Instagram content. I really enjoy photography and being behind the camera, but I must admit I’m winging it to an extent. This diploma will hopefully give more of an understanding of everything I can get out of my camera. As well as some helpful hints on unique and different ways to capture content.
I chose the Calligraphy course as I have this beautiful calligraphy set that I was gifted at a blog event. Hosted by CoLab and Viking we had a calligraphy workshop and then got the set to take home with us. Imagine sitting with your feather quill creating beautiful invitations with stunning cursive writing, can that be me please!
Finally, I selected the Makeup Artistry course because I used to work at Bare Minerals managing one of their counters. I feel like since lockdown came into play, I’ve worn makeup less and less and I’m forgetting how to apply it. I used to do a great smoky eye look but now I can just about sweep one shade on. Anyone else feel like their knowledge and experience is just slipping away from them?
MOVING BACK TO LONDON
Something I never imagined happening this year, especially not during a pandemic, was me moving back to London. I grew up in Bermondsey, where my Dad and Nan still live, but I moved to Kent at secondary school age. London has always held a piece of my heart though and I’ve never been able to fully let go. I mean I have an entire blog solely dedicated to news and reviews of what’s happening in London.
On the 1st August I moved to Hoxton, cutting my work commute down to just 30 minutes from 75-90 minutes. Who doesn’t want to reduce their time spent on public transport? And now that we’re able to get out again I don’t have to worry about catching the last train home. Especially when I’m able to start reviewing events and attractions again I won’t need to worry about the finish time.
I’ve moved into a complex, like student housing, but for 18-35 professionals who are struggling to rent or buy privately. I have my own bedroom and en-suite bathroom, and then share a kitchen and living room with three flatmates. We have a launderette on site, a lounge area, rooftop terrace and a bike storage area. I’ve actually just been accepted for the Cycle2Work programme at work so hopefully I’ll be using that soon.
You fill in an application form online to see if you are eligible for the Hyelm scheme. They have a certain percentage of rooms held for key workers in particular, so I’d recommend looking into it. They have two, three, four and six person sharing sections and they are assigned based on your application acceptance.
VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS
I know that one point during lockdown many of didn’t want to hear the word quiz again for a while. But I really enjoyed the interactive and unique ways that people found to continue socialising during lockdown. I hosted my own quiz, which got off to a great start when someone hacked it to stream porn! I wish I was joking but of course something like that would happen to me.
I’ve taken part in a number of quizzes hosted by others, some by myself and some as part of a team. I attended virtual blog events with Blogosphere and Traverse, including The Blogosphere Festival and The Big Virtual Czech In. I had Zoom meetings for a Drag Brunch, Theatre and Film panels, and the monthly Grow and Glow catch ups. And I’ve taken part in Virtual Movie Nights almost every weekend with #AKCinema hosted by Katie and Abi.
Although my holidays have all been cancelled for the year I have virtually been to Czech Republic and Southwest Germany. I’ve been on two photography classes and had a one-to-one with a representative from Olympus. If anything, this has all made me more aware of things happening in the community. As well as giving me the chance to extend my circle of contacts and network more casually and personally.
Outside of the blogging world I have also caught up with my friends a lot more than I usually would. I had weekly WhatsApp video calls with Sarah and Ameera where usually we would message maybe a few times a month. Even though nothing had really gone on that week we still managed to chat away for at least an hour. My video functions have been used more in lockdown than they have the entire time I’ve owned a mobile.
A FEW LAST WORDS…
Although our lives have been uprooted of late, I’m glad I’ve found some positives amongst the madness. I have suffered from depression in the past and I’m glad that this didn’t bring it back for me. Focusing on the positives, even if it’s just been getting more sleep than usual, helps keep me balanced. Manifestation and positive thinking really helped through a dark time in my past and it’s been helpful through this too.
I have been lucky enough to have not lost anyone during the pandemic and to still be in employment. And believe me I do not take that for granted in the slightest! I just wanted to find and remind myself of the joy in a bleak time. When things get too much and times get hard, I know that I can look back over this post. All I need now is for someone to put me on a plane to Bali!
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