Broke Girl in the City’s Lockdown Diaries: Week 1
Each Sunday, I intend to post in my Lockdown Diaries. I am going to document life in lockdown in London over these next 12 weeks. Due to the fact that I have brittle asthma, I am in the shielding group, which means weeks of staying in and not going outside!
Who is Broke Girl in the City?
That’s not some existential question. If you haven’t read my blog before. I started this blog to show others how to thrive, not just survive in the city. Living and working in the city is tough. It’s become even tougher for everyone, not just those living in London. I intend to keep sharing things to do when staying in – budgeting tips – and talking about life in general.
I currently live in South London – house sharing with 6 other people. Not ideal for an asthmatic in a Coronavirus pandemic! It’s not going to be easy to isolate. Living out of a bedroom is unrealistic, yet I will try to do it! So let’s look at the week that’s been…
The UK is in lockdown
Monday 8:30 pm Boris addressed the nation.
It was inevitable that the UK needed to lock down. I had been isolating myself for the week before the announcement because I have severe asthma and am considered high-risk. Watching the news unfold from China, Italy, and then Spain hit home just how quickly this was spreading and how devastating it is for people of all ages. Yet I watched people carry on as if nothing had happened in the UK. Even when the government was urging people to stay in. I witnessed people around me go to the park with their friends, carry on working and hooking up.
Vulnerable placed in 12-week isolation
I had been warned that I would probably have to isolate for 3 months. A week before we went into official lockdown. I spoke to a close friend who asked me. Where do I want to be for the next 3 months? Days before Mother’s Day, I was questioning whether to leave London if I couldn’t get myself back again. If I stayed with my mum, I wouldn’t be at risk and could self-isolate for the designated period. I also didn’t want to see her for 3 months. Decisions! Decisions!
My Top 3 Tips for Lockdown:
1. Spring-clean your environment!
Spring cleaning is one of the best things you can do at the start of this lockdown. My bedroom isn’t very big, but I have converted it into a bedroom/office. Knowing that I can’t even leave the house now to go to the shops. I put all the clothes I won’t be wearing for 12 weeks in a suitcase. All of my blouses and shirts are now clean and hanging up in a corner of my wardrobe. You only need to be smart from the waist up for Zoom calls. Camera equipment, shoes, and wires are all now in boxes and cleared away. Books are all in a drawer. Bedding all clean. Nothing beats jumping into bed with clean sheets 🙂
2. Video call friends & family
One thing I found over these past six months is that you are constantly at home by yourself. Texts don’t mean anything. Video call your friends and family. Seeing the person you are speaking to is much better and healthier. Connection is key for all of us right now. I have also written to my mum. It’s so lovely to receive letters right now.
3. Listen to official news
When news of the Corona Virus pandemic broke in the UK, I listened to the news all of the time. My anxiety went through the roof. I watched TV bulletins and scoured Twitter for the latest news and stories from China, Italy, and Spain. More than ever, we need to keep ourselves informed but from the right sources. I listen to the Government’s daily updates and read selected information from sources I trust. Make sure you educate yourself about the Coronavirus and assess where the information comes from!
That concludes week 1 of my Lockdown Diaries!
