Broke Girl in the City’s Lockdown Diaries: Week 4
I wrote my lockdown diaries this Sunday. Empathetic to what’s going on in the outside world. Yet unable to leave the house and be a part of it. I watch the news on a daily basis to find out what’s happenings and scour social media for updates. I watch people lose loved ones. Others obsess about when the lockdown should end. I can only document my own personal journey, but I am thinking of you all right now.
When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone?
I have been writing to my mum every couple of weeks. It’s so lovely to receive a letter in handwriting from someone you know. Instantly this personal touch sets it apart from all of the other letters you receive. Whenever I would go to the Tate or Portrait Gallery. I would buy my mother a card to send to her so she knew that I was thinking of her. Small gestures mean the world. Why not write a letter to a family member or loved one? Where will I get stamps you ask? You don’t need to go to the Post Office. I bought stamps through a Tesco delivery. I also managed to design and send a personalised Easter card with photos of the family using Moonpig.
My letter finally arrived!
An official letter came through the door this week finally confirming that I am in a high-risk group and need to shield for 12 weeks from the date of the letter, which was 10th April. So despite the fact that I am on Week 4 of lockdown. I have another 11 weeks added to the final time I need to spend indoors!
Living in lockdown
I live with housemates, but I am supposed to avoid any face-to-face contact with them, which is impossible on a day-to-day basis. I am starting to get cabin fever not leaving the house even for a walk or visit to the shops. That’s not intended to be a moan by any means! We are in the middle of a pandemic and I feel this acutely. My housemates and I are all conscious of me being in the room and we all try to limit our interactions. I find myself cleaning all of the time. How are you finding shielding? Do you live in a shared house or by yourself?
Eat your greens!
I have downloaded the Chronometer app to monitor my diet. I am not worrying about being rolled out of the house in weeks to come due to over-eating. Being in lockdown means that I can start introducing healthy habits into my life. I have been monitoring my food intake for 2 weeks, checking for any deficiencies in my diet. The trends being that I lack Iron, Vitamin D and Calcium. I managed to get another Tesco food delivery this week and bought myself Kale, Broccoli and Peppers. I also have bought myself Iron and Vitamin D supplements. I am trying to be as healthy as I can to support my immune system.
My Top 3 Tips for lockdown: Week 4
1. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE BUSY ALL OF THE TIME
Now that we have adjusted to what is the new normal for the foreseeable future. It’s important to consider that we don’t have to be busy all of the time. My default setting is to go on auto-pilot and keep myself busy to distract myself. I think it’s incredible there is so much free content and activities now available online. However, don’t feel pressured to use all of this time to better yourself. You also need to relax. Something I am not very good at! Why not check out Netflix, Amazon Prime or do absolutely nothing for the day too! Walk in the sunshine. Call a friend. Do nothing. Be in the moment. My thoughts go out to all of those key workers who are busy right now. I hope you find a little ‘me’ time in all of your working days.
2. STAY CONNECTED WITH PEOPLE
On Friday I dressed up as Audrey Hepburn from my favourite film of all time Breakfast at Tiffany’s to join a Quiz with my friends. I didn’t think I would be up against The Queen and her Corgi, the Princesses from Frozen and the couple(ish) from Tiger King. Coupled with a glass of cava. I had the best fun with everyone and it felt good to be connected with friends again. It also felt really warming to know that we all made the effort to be with one another other!
We are all connected
Saturday, I stayed up co-watching the One World: Together At Home on YouTube with my friend Amber, which was incredible #TogetherAtHome I loved watching artists from across the world singing from their homes. The appeal is to ensure that the critical frontline workers are safe and the night was to connect everyone across the world. Then I watched highlights on BBC ONE with performances from Stevie Wonder, Little Mix, the Rolling Stones and Ellie Goulding Let’s all make the pledge to stay home to save lives.
3. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL
Focus on what you can control right now. Not what you can’t.
Last week I talked about how I had started a new financial planner. I have done my own audit of my finances together with a financial spring-clean. Proactively seek out information right now depending on your circumstances to understand what you qualify for. Check government websites, read information by your banks, credit card companies. Speak to your landlord or bank regarding a mortgage payment holiday if you are struggling. Do whatever you can, which is in your control.
Financial spring-clean
I cancelled 2 x direct debits last week as I have been monitoring my bank accounts and credit cards statements. I have chased my Wonga dividend, which I still haven’t received! Also, I have spoken to a spokesperson at Wage Day Advance who told me that their payments will be on or before the end of May 2020. Result!
Plan 3-9 months ahead
We are living in very stressful and challenging times. At the moment, measures have been put in place by the government for a three-month financial period. Yet lockdown may be extended even further if tragic deaths do not subside.
I witnessed people trolling Martin Lewis on Twitter over the last couple of weeks, which made me sad. Here is someone who is conscientiously relaying back to the public what measures are being put in place to support people, which is ever-changing. Yet he is getting bashed by people, who are taking their frustrations out on him.
We can’t control the world around us or even the people in our environment. Something I had to concede in recent weeks. However, we can look to focus on what is in our immediate control.
That concludes week 4 of my Lockdown Diaries!
