When it comes to lockdown, it is no secret that we, in the UK, are very familiar with it. Just the word "lockdown" makes me feel like 🤯🤬😭😤. However, there are so many ways you can stay motivated, keep busy and stay positive through these tough times, and thats why I'm here to help you!
For me I like to have a little bit of structure to my day by having a simple daily routine.
Let me be honest here though, I don't always stick to this plan, there are some days where I just want to spend my whole day in my pj's, on the sofa, watching a Netflix series. And you know what that's okay!
It's absolutely fine to have what I like to call "nothing days", just as long as you don't fall into a pattern of doing it everyday. That's when you start to getting into bad habits and start to feel bored and feel low.
Keeping a structure to your day is really important to help you stay sane and help with feeling positive. I don't mean do the same thing everyday, as again you will get bored and loose motivation but try and to do something different everyday. I mean stick to your simple daily routine but mix it up a bit and try something new. You could find a new interest or hobby or try something you have always wanted to do. For example, I know someone who really struggled in the first lockdown and found it hard to find something to do and stay motivated. They would spend the majority of their time hidden away in their room and didn't even try to keep theirselves busy. Until we started going on lots of walks (obviously once we were allowed to). I noticed a massive difference in them and they seemed to really enjoy it. This seemed to be their new hobby, so we made sure that we went on walks regularly as we both found we really enjoyed it. They now spends their time looking at different walks they'd like to do and find new areas and views to go and visit. They are even looking at going somewhere in America now! 😂 In all seriousness, going outside and spending some time in the fresh air will do you a world of good. It is known to have so many benefits properties for your body. I read an article called Health Benefits Of Being Outside .The article talks about how the power of nature can improve your mood, boost your immune system and have a huge impact on your memory. "Being outdoors is essential for human health". It is also a great opportunity to get your cameras out and capture natures beauty. Just like I have here on a walk we did at Goyt Valley . If you would like to see more walks I have done and plan on doing let me know, I do tend to go on quite a few with extremely picturesque views!
It's time to find yourself
Im just saying it could be the smallest of things that keeps you busy and happy, it doesn't have to be anything extravagant. Here's a few examples of things you could try:
Painting
Drawing
Makeup ideas
Get excited for the end of lockdown and plan your next trip/holiday
Read books
Yoga
Exercise ( dancing, running, walking, working out )
Photography
Cleaning
Listen to podcasts
Watch your favourite YouTuber
Writing your goals for the future and start planning for the future to get you excited
Baking
Cooking
Getting creative, make something
Start a little business
Start a blog
Gardening
What will be your labour of love?
Tips
Here's a little tip for you, have a day without your phone and see how you get on. As a society we have become obsessed with having technology around us every second of the day. Isn't that just boring?! I don't know about you but when I've looked at a screen for too long I feel tired, irritated and my eyes hurt. How is that healthy? Well basically it isn't, especially for young people like myself. Social media can have a huge impact on your mental health. I keep seeing tweets about how girls are feeling down about what they see on Instagram and how its making them feel they have to be a certain way. You shouldn't let what you see on the internet determine how you live your life or how you should look. I've been wrapped up in all of this myself but as I got older I realised it's good to be unique and stand out and not follow the crowd. I have finally found peace in myself and I'm so happy with how I am. No one is perfect and a lot of things you see on the internet are not real and also very edited. Keep your distance from things that upset you and just spend some time doing things you love. I promise you will notice a huge change in yourself!
As you may have seen on my instagram I have challenged myself to complete a task everyday for the next 4o days while we are in lockdown. I have set tasks which I know I can do and tasks that I know are going to be challenging, such as trying a new food. For those who know me, know I am the most fussiest eater on the planet so I know that one is going to be tough!😅 I would love to hear if any of you have been getting involved in my challenge or even if not please let me know what you have been doing to keep busy!
Stay positive guys!
Lots of love
Meg x