THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LOCKDOWN
We wanted to reach out to lovely readers to hear about what you have been up to over the last few months. From new and exciting projects to simple pleasures, there has been plenty of things keeping you sane and smiling throughout lockdown. Here are some of our favourites.
A Primary School Teacher in South Wales, Abby Chapman relied on her furry friend Daniel the Spaniel to keep her sane during lockdown. Adapting to a new work routine was not easy and so getting out for walks was a welcome break for the both of them. Abby also discovered the perfect drink to see her through the long Summer evenings - Benjamin Strawberry gin. Although her wedding was sadly postponed, planning her special day has helped to keep her focused.
Daniel The Spaniel enjoying lockdown walks with Abby and hoping for a swim
One lovely Spottedinlines Lady, Bridget, told us about how her personal lockdown was perfectly timed:
”Having been made redundant in January, I continued my comprehensive Pilates training course online, doing at least five mat sessions a week, which kept me focused and my body stronger. This time gave me the space to reset my priorities without feeling I was missing out! I have now set up my Pilates company and recently started working on a new sports hub venture.“
We are so excited for Bridget and her new life. Alba Pilates is aiming to be up and running in October, so stay tuned for details. Her company was not the only new thing that came into her life during lockdown, but we’ll keep that one for another time…”
Bridget has used lockdown to continue her Pilates training and forge a new life.
For Marie-Pier, it has been the simple things that got her through the last few months. She has enjoyed exploring her local area and discovering hidden spots such as Highams Park Lake, which she tried to visit every week. She also buried her nose into one of her new favourite books, Bernardine Evaristo’s ‘Girl, Woman, Other’. When she was not reading or walking, Marie-Pier was listening to her fellow Canadian, Christine’s weekly podcast. Simplypodlogical is a great listen which approaches various difficult subjects such as anxiety and politics with a very comedic and honest tone.
In addition to listening to podcasts and exploring her local area, Marie-Pier has been doing a spot of reading
New Yorker Noelle Marie used lockdown as an excuse to try some delicious restaurants in her neighbourhood. Following on from long shifts at hospital, she would order deliveries from some great eateries including Barking Dog, Burritos y Mas, Pure Poke, and Joy Burger. She also discovered the joy of writing poetry and the guilty pleasure that is binge-watching Glee. What really kept her sane, however, was people reaching out to her. She was overwhelmed by the number of well-wishers who went out of their way to support hospital workers through such a difficult time.
For New Yorker Noelle Marie, lockdown has meant discovering local restaurants such as Barking Dog
When the government first announced we’d be going into lockdown, Stacey Ellis underestimated how much the whole experience would affect her. The tedium of being stuck indoors made her feel that she was stuck in her own personal version of groundhog day. What kept her sane during lockdown was taking advantage of all the free online exercise classes and re-reading her favourite books such as Willy Russell’s ‘The Wrong Boy’ as well as discovering new treasures like Sophie Campbell’s ‘Breakfast at Bronzefield’. Now that the restaurants have reopened, she has been going to The Locals Chelsea for a cup of hot chocolate and slice of their lemon drizzle cake as a reward for running in Battersea Park.
As soon as restaurants reopened, Stacey Ellis headed to The Locals Chelsea for a spot of hot chocolate and lemon drizzle cake
Thank you to our lovely ladies for sharing your lockdown loves. Keep safe. Keep smiling. With love x x
P.S Will bring some of the poetry readings back for you !