How lockdown has changed our lives and other peoples lives

Living in lockdown has had an impact on everyone in some way or another. For a lot of people it’s meant more time with family resulting in a new appreciation of what we have. For others it means a chance to learn new skills, reflect on life as it was and make changes. For other people, it’s the small changes that add up to make a big difference.

Lockdown has taught me that life without work and school would be pretty boring. Work and school gives us a purpose. Something to focus on. It’s an opportunity to expand our minds, meet new people and do different things.

Now that these things have been taken away from us, a lot of people are finding life very hard at the moment. This article: ‘What You Should Know About the Coronavirus (And How It’s Affecting Mental Health)‘ has some great information in.

In addition since the lockdown started, I haven’t worn makeup, well aside from drawing on my eyebrows! It’s actually been a good opportunity for me to learn to love myself (eyebrows aside!) the way I am. I’ve also been able to exercise more which is always a bonus!

I was curious to see how lockdown has changed peoples lives so I asked a handful of bloggers to share their experiences, big and small, with me. Here’s what they had to say.

Shell from The Willow Tree says: I’m 100% appreciating all things nature at the moment. Sounds silly, but a simply family walk through our local park and woodlands makes me feel all the feels, and noticing all the small things I may have bypassed. The smells, sounds and the feeling of being outside is definitely something I’ll be appreciating so much more in the future, as I am now. Perhaps in the past, i took it all for granted.

Gemma from The Work Life Blend says: I am loving exercising every morning (I never thought I would say that!). I’ve been doing the ‘PE with Joe’ workouts (while the kids cheer me on from the sofa!) and I feel much stronger and more flexible. I feel more positive and in a better mood as a result and because I usually do it first thing, I feel like I’ve already achieved something with my morning before I embark on home schooling! I am determined to keep it up after lock down.

Jennifer from Rice Cakes and Raisins says: I will make sure I buy from small businesses more when all this is over. We have discovered some gems recently from our local fruit and veg shop to independent shops on Etsy. I will definitely be using these going forward.

Raimonda from Cosmo Mum says: Lockdown made me think more about my skills and what job I want to do. I found a new love in Pinterest marketing strategy and I will aim to gain more experience and perhaps a qualification and find a job where I can use these skills. As lots of companies set up for working from home, I also hope there will be more flexible/work from home opportunities in the future. 

Nicola from My Savings Journal says: Lockdown has encouraged me to explore different ways of using my experience and knowledge to earn money. I’ve started a new blog, been in discussion about interesting projects and taken some time out to revamp my business. Hopefully this will pay off in the future with a more diverse range of income streams, so less susceptible to future challenges!

Amy from Mum Full of Dreams says: I was working as a freelance social media manager and, sadly, all clients had to cut my services. So, I decided to finally take the plunge and dedicate time to writing full time through my blog and hopefully getting articles published elsewhere. It’s a bit of a lifelong dream and I’m honestly not sure if I’d have had the headspace to do it if it wasn’t for lockdown.

Nicola from Well Parenting says: I hope this doesn’t sound too cynical, but lockdown has made me realize that I’m ready to not be a SAHM anymore. I’ve been either staying at home with young kids or homeschooling older kids for 12 years. Now I’m praying that schools reopen in the fall so that I can enroll the kids in school and find more work. The kids are ready to go back too.

How has lockdown changed your life? Let me know in the comments below.