A Letter to Post Lockdown Me

As lockdown now starts to ease and we are beginning to see glimpses of normality creeping back in, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the last few months and post a little reminder to myself on what it was like before it all becomes just a distant memory.

A Letter to Post Lockdown Me:

Hi You,

How’s it going? How is life post lockdown, post coronacoaster and the chaos it caused?

Have you had your nails done yet? I bet you have, despite all the promises you whispered to yourself that you would keep them au naturale from now on.

How is the family? Are you still in touch daily like you were in lockdown? Is the family WhatsApp group still going – I hope so. Remember that some days they were the only reason you smiled or laughed, whether it was Nans crazy living room dancing or Aunty Lou’s alcohol fuelled karaoke evenings – you all became so close. Remember how nice that felt. Did you all have the party you talked so much about? Hold onto them all – especially Nan. You’ve really missed her.

What about Jonny? Are you still finding time to sit and talk, to spend evenings cooking or playing cards? Remember how much you reinvented yourselves and the space you were in to keep things fun – you don’t always need expensive date nights (although I hope you have had a few of those by now). Home can be just as fun. Remember how much you loved this quality time together and how easy and comfortable lockdown became with him by your side. Try not to let “real life” problems dampen what you created as you slip back into the rat race.

Remember how safe you felt with each other and how content. You were the only ones there to comfort each other on the sad days. Lockdown showed you just how much you were made for each other – don’t let life stress get in the way of that anymore.

What about your life and your goals and all the positive steps you were taking? Please don’t tell me you’ve sunk back into your old ways – you’ve come so far. With the pressures and stresses of life eased, you were really coming into your own. Your confidence and self-belief was growing – I really hope you are still on the personal journey we planned so much in our head. Lockdown made you look internally and you should be grateful for that.

Do you remember the things you really missed during lockdown? Do you remember just how little you actually needed when everything else was stripped away? It wasn’t going out, it wasn’t material things (although yes, we did miss a bit of weekend retail therapy), it was human connection. Meeting friends for a coffee, having a chat, reaching out to hug someone without hesitation or thinking twice.

I hope you’ve held onto the people who made your lockdown feel easier, the people who were on the end of the phone or a message. Some people made a real effort and I hope you’ve pulled those people in closer, because those are the people who are rooting for you and genuinely care for you. You’re lucky to have some incredible people in your life. I know there were times you felt let down by people who didn’t seem to make an effort like the others, even when you had gone out of your way to reach out - I hope you’ve healed from that now and moved on. You don’t need to hold onto any negativity – this virus showed us just how quickly life can change and we agreed to live for the now, remember?

I hope toilet roll stocks are back to normal and you can get flour more freely – are you still baking by the way? We loved the scones you made – make sure you carry on experimenting in the kitchen – it was fun.

Lockdown taught us to not take anything for granted, to seize opportunities, to say why not rather than what if. It reminded you that it’s ok to be selfish sometimes and to slow down. You had no choice, but remember how much you enjoyed it, how much you actually needed it without realising. I hope you’ve taken a little bit of lockdown with you and remember the peace you felt at just having time. Time to do whatever you chose. No pressure to do anything but focus on yourself.

Always remember… a little lockdown never hurt nobody 😊

Love, You.