5 things I accomplished in lockdown in August (and 2 I didn’t)
I’m exhausted. And I don’t mean physically as if I’m working out every day (I’m not). I’m talking mentally and emotionally drained. After 10 (Maybe more – Who’s keeping track at this point?) weeks in lockdown, I’ve come full circle and am back where I started in mid-2020 – which is, unproductive, unmotivated and uninspired.
With lockdown fatigue kicking into high gear (and with advice from my therapist – more on that below), I’ve decided to set some small, easily manageable goals for myself. Here are 5 things I achieved last month, and a bonus 2 that I’m still working on.
1. Getting dressed every morning
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed that I’ve been posting my OOTDs every morning (or around lunchtime on weekends when I sleep in). The reason behind it is because I read an article that shared that how we dress (even just to sit home all day) has the power to influence our mental health and general productivity.
I initially just wanted to see if I could do it, but lately, I’ve been receiving a lot of positive affirmations from friends and acquaintances and it would be a shame to stop now. If my outfits are bringing people joy, then that’s my contribution to the universe (ha!) Plus, I still have more than half of my wardrobe to go through (wear your clothes often and wear them proud! #slowfashion)
2. Cleaning out my closet just in time for spring
One thing I realised being stuck in my apartment for so long is that I don’t get to wear all my clothes enough. For the first few weeks, I wore the same things – equal parts t-shirt and sweats and equal parts ~*aThLeiSurE*~. I read somewhere that if you don’t wear your clothes within 6-12 months, you should sell or donate them. And that’s exactly what I did.
While most charities remain closed, I’ve donated some of my clothes to my friends (you know who you are!), while I put the rest up on Depop and eBay. I’ve actually made maybe around $300 selling my preloved items, which is not bad at all.
3. Getting vaccinated for Covid-19
This is an absolute no brainer, but considering that there was a lot of confusion from the government on where and when to get vaxxed, I consider this a big achievement. I literally woke up really early one morning, walked up to my local GP and got the shot. I did spend the next two days feeling like shit, but it’s a small price to pay to keep myself and others around me safe. GET VACCINATED, PEOPLE!
4. Started reading again
Last year I read 26 books out of my goal of 30. This year, I set the bar higher at 40 books. I started off strong, reading my first 10 books within the first few weeks of the year then *surprise surprise* dwindled off by May. I’m happy to report that in August I actually finished TWO books. I’m still 14 books behind schedule, but it’s a habit I’m hoping to bring back.
5. (Finally) Going to therapy
Andrew has been encouraging me to go and see a psychologist since last year when my depression and anxiety hit its peak (Read: How I lost my sh*t (then got it together, sort of) in the middle of a pandemic).
I’ve been putting it off mostly for two reasons:
- It’s expensive AF – One session is roughly $250. Think of all the things you could do with that money!
- The social stigma attached to going to therapy – I think a part of me was scared that if I agreed to see a mental health specialist, I was admitting that there was something inherently wrong with me (Side note: There could be and there’s nothing wrong with seeking help!)
I’ve only been to one session (my next one is tomorrow), but I thoroughly enjoyed it in a ‘this is awkward’ / ‘this is insightful’ / ‘this is uncomfortable’ / ‘this is helpful’ kind of way. If you have access to some sort of counselling, I highly recommend it.
While I am patting myself on the back for those 5 accomplishments, there are 2 more that I still need to work on:
1. Working out more regularly and being mindful of what I eat
I’m certain my trainer is not pleased I’ve gone AWOL (Hi Marts!), but it is on my list. Right now I’m just munching on sweets. It’s not the lifestyle I want but I’m doing more self-compassion than self-care at the moment and I think that’s also important.
2. Not spending money on random stuff
Within the last few weeks, I’ve purchased finger chopsticks, earrings, a couple of dresses and headbands, fairy lights and a toiletries bag. These are not things I need in lockdown, but I did hit my savings goal so I’m not being too hard on myself.
This lockdown is not getting easier, (God, no), but I think I’m doing a better job at managing how I respond to the situation. I’m trying to avoid feeling guilty for my behaviour, accepting my emotions instead of detaching myself or being indifferent and expressing gratitude for what I have – my family and friends, a roof over my head, a very supportive and patient partner, my health, and a job I’m good at and enjoy doing. Now all I need is a cat.
