As I look over the garden from our study.
I question how we got here. How are we are lockdown?
How has a such a manic world fallen silent over-night.
At first we feel anger. We feel let down, sad, lost - the fog of the unknown overwhelms us and we feel as if we are sinking.
As the time goes on, we begin to adjust, we begin ( like we always do ) come together to make the best of the cards that are dealt to us. We cry out the negative feelings and begin building on the positives, using gratitude like our religion to rebuild our faith.
I am not saying I feel on top of the world. Like you, I am still adjusting and finding this the hardest thing in the world. This year was supposed to be the year of flying away and now we aren't just grounded but those walls are deadly in the way they trap us in. My heart breaks every time I think about plans that have fallen apart, dreams that we have had to put on pause and the goals that feel a little further out of reach. The unknown when the play button will be allowed to be pressed.
What is worst. We all know that our lives are currently on PAUSE, but time doesn't have a pause, rewind or replay button. Only PLAY.. it keeps moving. That is the scary fact, we all know.
I feel like I have lost most of 20s to health problems, I wanted to fight back take control back. Begin living life, not just surviving. Like we all do, we all know how precious life is & we all have BIG dreams. But maybe this time is kicking us in touch to be grateful for the smaller things & the people in our lives that make our days sparkle.
We have all been stopped in our tracks.
The fear eating us on the inside and panic showing on the outside.
How can we wrap our heads around this, making the best of the situation?
1) Routines:
They are key to keeping focus, not allowing self-doubt sneak in & find you questioning yourself.
If you have a piece of paper jot down your ideal routine and follow it. Ensuring it has balance.
Example:
-wake up ( roughly the same time daily)
-breakfast
-stretch
-socialising & checking-in
-work & (content creating) - for me
-cup of tea
-lunch
-mindful activities: baking, cooking, sewing, drawing, colouring, puzzles.
-coffee/tea break
- content posted and socialising on social media
-break & bath
-emails and socialising on social media ( swap this in for games with friends and family/reading )
-dinner
-watch a TV programme
-bed
Keep yourself accountable.
2) Accountable for our gratitude:
Whether it is first thing in the morning or in the evening jot down 3 things you are grateful for.
Example:
-family & friends
- the sun
-fresh food
3) Host family zoom call:
Arrange a time and host a zoom meeting, that uses video for all your family and friends to jump on and see one another, natter & enjoy each other's company. You can talk and host a meeting for 40 mins free per meeting.
4) MINDSET
When a negative thought or feeling creeps in, override it with a positive to silence it & not allow it to eat away at you. How do you do this? You need to be emotionally checked in.
Write down all your negative feelings / thoughts you are going through.
Example:
I am trapped
Recognise the feelings that thought brings:
-anger
-upset
-stress
And then think of the good you have around you:
-family
-the power of video
-the sun shining
-you fave TV shows
It can be anything!
Then think of the emotions they bring:
-happiness
-joy
-laughter
Start & exercise those thoughts & feelings to lift you up.
The situation then becomes a lighter load.
5) Eat well!
We all need to keep our immune system strong & how do we do this?
BY EATING FRESH.
LOAD UP THE FRUIT AND VEGGIES.
When we all have more time to prepare food from fresh, there isn't an excuse not too.
6) Keep moving!
-light stretching
- walking the stairs a few times and around the house
Put a podcast on or music and have a potter around for 20 minutes.
7) Listen to the key facts in the news, don't be consuming for hours.
It is important to be in the 'know' be update and understand what is going on BUT it can get overwhelming. It is sometimes TOO MUCH and can have such an negative on us.
8) Explore new activities & hobbies.
This is the perfect time to get creative and use our hobbies to keep our minds calm and anxieties from taking over.
9) Think outside of the box when it comes to your business and work.
Be valuable to your employer, stand out against the rest when it comes to your business. Think about ways you can improve through learning, online courses, reading book and so on. This is a time to really go above and beyond not sit back.
10) Work on self-development.
Build up your self-worth, self-development, self-love.
They are the golden keys to a brighter life. We are our worst critic and we try to dismiss the horrible comments we throw at ourselves that we wouldn't dream of saying to others. SO STOP SAYING THEM TO YOURSELF.
It is an uncomfortable top to work on, we have to go through some serious soul-searching and hard feelings to really address underlying problems.
So where to start?
-ADDRESS THE AREAS THAT ARE PROBLMATIC:
Examples:
1)Body image: write down why and how you feel then de-code those feelings. Would you tell others and talk to them like you are talking to yourself? NO, you wouldn't.
Example: I don't have a flat stomach.
REALITY CHECK: LITERALLY NO-BODY HAS A FLAT STOMACH, food & fluid through the day fills us up - that is how the body works.
So NONE of us has a flat stomach.
Like a window on your computer, close that tab down and focus on a part of your body you are proud ( DON'T GIVE ME- NOTHING) . This could be your eyes, your smile.
What do you like about it?
I like my smile, because when I smile other's smile back.
Next example:
2) Confidence:
PEOPLE ARE JUDGING ME:
They think I am an odd ball, I don't fit in, I am not fun to be around.
REMEMBER:
We are all unique, we all bring something to the table and it is actually better NOT to fit in! That is the secret.
SWITCH IT UP:
I love a good dance at a party ( so you are fun!)
People have great conversations with me ( so they do appreciate you!)
I am creative ( and that flare helps me stand out at work)
Next example:
3) I don't have a purpose or a place in the world.
People don't notice me, I am invisible.
REMEMBER:
People ARE watching, often in the shadows but you are inspiring and empowering people everyday just keep being you.
SWTICH IT UP:
People may not always recognise all that I do BUT I can look back at all I have achieved. The battles I have won and everything I have been through and I am strong which makes you SO VISIBLE.
LITTLE HELPFUL ACCOUNTABLE TIPS!
Each day, start your day with saying 3 POSITIVE THINGS about yourself, it really sets you off.
Lockdown IS HARD , IT ISN'T EASY... BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE THE BEST OF A BAD SITUTATION.
Use your time wisely & rise stronger.
I believe in YOU.
Don't lose hope, don't suffer in silence but there for each-other and support one another AS WELL as ourselves.
Sending love,
Sophie
xoxo