Lockdown 2.0: Twenty-Eight Days Spent Mostly Inside
Ah here we go again. Another lockdown, somewhat different this time (major factors include but aren’t limited to: lack of dogs, different country, city life, rain all day everyday…). On the other hand though, one can relate the lack of motivation, wearing the same pj’s for a questionable amount of time, and the constant desire to make banana bread.
This time I’ve decided I am going to do all in my power to be as productive, appreciative to myself, and positive as possible. (So far I’m 0 for 4 days, but hey, I’ve got 24 more days to improve).
So as a running list (a place for me to hold myself somewhat accountable), I am going to update this particular post with a small blurb for myself (and anyone who reads) to get a glimpse of my second lockdown (hopefully last).
4 Wednesday (Night before lockdown)
Had a day of rushing around trying to get any last minute essentials. Yes a yoga mat is essential. Others included body wash, candles, and a sandwich from Pret. Finished off the night with some amazing friends (group of less than 6), a few bottles of wine, cigarettes and a GIANT kebab.
5 Thursday (day 1)
Boooooo worst day EVER. Actually so depressing. Woke up with a heavy chest and absolutely no desire to start my day. Unusually sunny out, unfortunately not enough to get me out and going on a walk. Basically slept and wallowed about being lonely. Did a big grocery shop as my activity. Didn’t make me feel better. Made little zucchini pizzas for dinner (will eventually make a post for them).
Okay I lied a little, saw the sky looking so peaceful on the way to grocery shopping and stopped for a quick snap. Moments like these make life feel like a dream - pinched myself twice on the way home.
6 Friday (day 2)
Spent the morning in classes online, actually got into clothes and forced myself on a few walks. Felt pretty productive. Applied to loads of internships and finished all my work for the week. Finished the night with my first English roast (chicken, potatoes and broccoli, no Yorkshire puddings) made by my flatmate and a few movies. (Ps watch One Day if you feel like having a good cry).
Two unusual details captured: sunny London and empty Bricklane
7 Saturday (day 3)
Woke up late (11 am), went on a decent walk, 1.9 miles to be exact. Came home and made scrambled eggs with toast and coffee. Went to Haggerston Park with my flatmates to dance around, played catch via tennis ball and saw more dogs than I could count. Came home exhausted and ready for bed at 6pm. Realizing the days feel too long.
Saw some goats and horses at the park lol
8 Sunday (day 4)
Woke up somewhat early, did a quick arm series and then went on a walk down to Spitafields and back. Made a brunch (butternut squash soup, toast and cucumber). Took the overground and met with a friend at Greenwich park. Never been before, but it was beautiful. Chatted for a few hours and then headed home in the dark. I always seem to forget how beautiful the overground is. The natural light during the day and bright skyscrapers at night, almost feels like you’re driving right through the buildings. Came home to some flat drama (S’s ex boyfriend showing up unexpectedly - awkward and long story). Made a salmon bowl that looked way better than it tasted and headed to bed.
Not the best picture - doesn’t quite do it justice but I present you anyways… The Overground.
out right deceiving
9 Monday (day 5)
Only snoozed once today (new record!) and got right to my coffee making (I got myself a French Press about a month ago and can’t imagine life without it). Started my classes at 10 am with guest talks from industry speakers - honestly more interesting than I expected. Had butternut squash soup, toast and a pear for lunch and then took my next lecture outside. Laptop died fast, so I came back in and did some yoga during my next lecture (I listened carefully though). Did a quick pilates workout and then tried to go on a walk but quickly turned around with the sight of rain. Heated up leftover salmon and watched Home Alone. Feeling mixed emotions - homesick, sad, lonely and well FOMO gets its own honorable mention.
10 Tuesday (day 6)
Woke up around 9, and went straight on a walk. I stopped in Pret on the way back to redeem my free latte and then headed up to start my morning. As not mentioned before, I am on a current Duolingo streak (french) of 408 days. If you’re wondering how I am doing, don’t ask… I simply am still a beginner. Classes went from 10:30 to 4:30, in which during my break I indulged in some M&S minestrone soup, toast and an apple. I also managed to sneak in a quick call with my mom. After class I did a Melissa Wood Health (MWH) 25 min full body Pilates and then another walk. Dinner was leftover rice turned veggie/Italian/fried rice?? Idk it was good though. The night ended with a quick binge of Dash and Lily on Netflix, a music quiz game with the flatmates and more drama (S’s ex boyfriend returned).
11 Wednesday (day 7)
Snoozed one and half times today and went straight to walking. Grabbed my Pret latte on the way home and then got right to Duolingo. Classes started at 10:30 again with a brief intermission when my Amazon package arrived. A new jump rope, workout set and batteries for my dead used scale. Unfortunately batteries didn’t solve the broken scale. I was able to weigh myself for the first time since I arrived (stole my flatmates working scale), and well…also unfortunately, I was the same exact weight. The lights I recently ordered came in and then spent the afternoon cleaning out and prettying up the backyard/garden/courtyard situation. Did a little more school work, a MWH, went on a walk, ate some leftovers and then fell into a sad mood. Laid on the floor, cried in bed, laid on the floor again, painted my short nails, and then got back in bed. Ended the night with blasting music and staring at the wall - I always look at the reflection of the window at night and it always brings me some sort of peace, so I thought I’d share. Can’t seem to turn my thoughts off this week.
12 Thursday (day 8)
Went on my morning walk but decided to extend it a little further cause I had a little extra time. Well I got lost. And really I have a good sense of direction (kinda pride myself on that) but this time I had to take out apple maps and find my way home. Classes again from 10:30 to 4:30 with a lunch break where I ate and schemed my dinner plans. After class I walked to M&S to get some groceries and then stopped at a few smaller shops for specialty items (pecans and beets - idk I’m weird about where I buy my food). Did a live MWH, showered and then made a DELICIOUS salad and roasted veggies (made my tummy hurt though). Studied loads, wrote an essay, applied for an internship and now back in bed. Still figuring out how to be positive during lockdown but I’m not finding anything successful. I am proud of myself for sticking to a few goals: no biting nails, workout each day, no pasta, etc… but I still feel incredibly lonely, unmotivated and outright anxious 24/7. Maybe by lockdown 3.0 I’ll really have it down?
Morning walk. Pros: blue skies, big buildings and empty streets. Cons: Lost, far from home, empty streets.
mood
13 Friday (day 9)
Woke up early and finally had an excuse to get dressed and put on makeup. Decided to put myself in monochrome brown fit (really been into brown lately) and honestly felt pretty darn cute. Had a quick breakfast at home (yogurt and a coffee) and then headed straight to uni. Was a bit early so I stopped for another coffee and then took my exam (passed thankfully). Then went home, made myself a really beautiful lunch (pictured below) and took the rest of my online classes. To be completely transparent I did change into something slightly more comfortable, but fear not, I kept it all brown. Did some work for my internship, french of course, and then went on a walk to M&S. I celebrated friday with some pizza from the place below my flat and paired it with the cheapest wine I could find and sat outside with the new garden lights. Ended the night with a few laughs and an episode of Gilmore Girls.
Leftover roasted veg, split pea soup, pears and figs and a few slices of white cheddar
14 Saturday (day 10)
The last week has been uncanningly beautiful; endless blue skies and somewhat warm temperatures. Unfortunately today London decided to go back to its roots. Rain forecasted for the next week and half, heavy wind and grey skies. I slept in till about 8 and then headed out around 9 for a walk. Did my regular route around Bricklane and Spitafields and then stopped in Pret on my way back for coffee and a sandwich. I spent a majority of the day wrapped in blankets, sipping on tea, staring out the window and laying in bed. Just one of those kinda days ya know? I did manage to get another walk in even though it was pouring.
15 Sunday (day 11)
Forecasted to be horrible day but ended up being quite beautiful. Woke up around 9, showered, used heat on my hair (something I’ve been avoiding), ate some oatmeal and then applied for a few internships. I met a friend for lunch (don’t worry he lives alone, it’s allowed) and then spent the day relaxing again. I am feeling a bit unmotivated honestly, but eager for the week to start so I have more work to focus on.
16 Monday (day 12)
Snoozed three times… can you blame me? It’s Monday after all. Found myself incredibly tired but forced a walk. Noticed the last few days my lattes have been tasting like a cup of warm milk (yuck) so I took advice from a dear friend and tried out a flat white. Boy was I missing out. Anywho, went home and started checking off my list of to do’s; studying math, internship work, and Duolingo to name a few. Felt incredibly low on energy mixed with a horrible stomach ache (blame it on monday) so I found myself laying down for a bit before I headed out to print a few worksheets, then straight to class. Took a math(s) quiz, educated myself on some new formulas and then walked home in the dark. Felt so sick upon arrival but decided I needed to get a MWH in. Made a farro bowl with some veg and then did a major scrub down to the kitchen. Studied a bit and then binged some Gilmore Girls.
17 Tuesday (day 13)
Not to be dramatic but I feel like I forget life before lockdown. My current fear is that I’ll finish this month-long lockdown, and arrive in America only to go into another lockdown. Today was mostly similar to the last 13 days. Snoozed, walked, Pret. Did a morning workout, and then got ready for my in person class. Stopped at Pret again for a tea and then headed home. Had garlic-lemon-prawn pasta made by a good friend and then went to bed somewhat early.
18 Wednesday (day 14)
Woke up, went on my walk, grabbed Pret and then started my online classes. Wasn’t as productive as I would’ve liked but it is what it is. Waited until after class to try a new place The Munch, a turkish take away about 1/4 mile away from me. I pass it everyday on my walks and drool every time I walk by. The food was great don’t get me wrong, the atmosphere was just off. I know that’s critical of me (especially considering I was only in the restaurant for 5 mins while they prepared my food), but I just felt like I was in a hostile environment. Took a nap after lunch, did a MWH, showered and prepped dinner. Ended the night by applying for more internships, watching reruns of fashion shows (which turned into a bizarre black hole of youtube videos) and a few cups of tea.
19 Thursday (day 15)
Who knew it was Thursday already… genuinely went through the whole day thinking it was Wednesday. It rained quite heavily in the morning so I made the executive decision to skip the morning walk and make my own coffee. No milk unfortunately. I then did some work, a quick class in the morning, some note taking after, a little studying and then went to the grocery shop to grab some items for lunch and dinner. Lunch was a sandwich with heirloom tomatoes, cheddar jack, salami, avocado, mixed leaves and basil. I was so out of it when I did the food shop, I stupidly bought beetroot and chia seed bread. It was disgusting!!! For dinner I made roasted eggplant with asparagus, a pear and a side salad. After dinner I watched the most bizarre movie - Susprinia. Two and half hours of not much sense and a lot of blood and witch craft.
20 Friday (day 16)
Did the whole regular routine - woke up, took my morning walk, grabbed my coffee and then started classes. I weirdly had classes until 6.15pm, much later than usual. Made the second half of my aubergine for dinner and went on a late night walk. Nothing too much of a day.
21 Saturday (day 17)
Woke up and got myself dressed. Made a cup of tea and had some fruit for breakfast. I met a friend at Hampstead Heath Park, specifically Belsize (kept mistaking it with Belize lol) station and then walked over. Purchased my first coffee from Gail’s and must say I was quite impressed. Hampstead Heath was BEAUTIFUL. I was especially excited to go knowing Harry (Styles) has a house nearby in which he was robbed at knife point less than a year ago!! I mean I could’ve been walking on the same grounds as that man. The park was larger than life; a whole marching arena filled with dogs, birds, walkers and more dogs. Once you go into the woods paths it genuinely looks like you’re in the middle of a forest. Even walked to the other end to see the Kenwood House (an attraction I didn’t know existed but am happy to have seen it). After 17,347 steps, we stopped at a bakery and an M&S to grab a few snacks and ate lunch on a bench. I spent the rest of the night relaxing and hanging in with my flatmates.
22 Sunday (day 18)
Another sleep in. Walked long and far around Pimlico, and Vauxhall. Did loads of studying and applied for a new internship. It was a beautiful day. Sun shining, blue skies and nothing but crisp air (it smelt like winter). Made pesto pasta and a salad for dinner and then spent the rest of the night calling friends and family.
23 Monday (day 19)
Didn’t sleep well the night before but decided I would start the week a bit differently… waking up early (shocking). I got myself up at 7.50 and went straight out for a longer than usual walk finished with a stop in Pret. I came home to complete a quick arm series on MWH and then after freaked out cause I forgot it was Monday and I had classes to do. Something about these hybrid classes and lockdown makes me forget what day of the week it is nearly everyday. I took a minute to get dressed and make myself a quick lunch and then ran out the door. After classes, I stopped in Waitrose and grabbed a chicken lentil soup, seriously so delicious. My night ended with another MWH, a quick nap, shower, a few phone calls and an episode of Gilmore Girls.
24 Tuesday (day 20)
I spare you the same old routine and say it was a pretty average day. Walk, work, french, workout and go to class. Had an early Thanksgiving celebration with a friend and his visiting mom (on business and less than 6 people). A pretty quiet night nonetheless.
25 Wednesday (day 21)
Again, an average day. Slept in and had a pretty late start to my day. I had no immediate online classes, so I went and did some food shopping. After what felt like a million stores I finally found a turkey. Let me tell you, the British could really benefit from a larger turkey supply. My mood has been lower than usual so I spent the day moping around and soooo unbelievably unproductive. So unproductive that I’m writing this three days later. I have a bad habit of laying in bed when I want time to pass faster - it never works.
26 Thursday (day 22)
Thanksgiving!!! My favorite holiday of the year. And yes I know the routes and history of the holiday are 100% problematic, but I really just love the idea of a big feast where no one has the excuse of not coming. It truly makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Being away from home for the second year in a row feels so bizarre. But also kinda cool? I get to do all the cooking and play holiday music and dress however I want. I spent the morning doing all my work and getting it out of the way. I had tutorial at 4:30 - which was so inconvenient. I literally had to pause the mashed potatoes to get on a quick call (but don’t worry it all worked out). Last years Thanksgiving was intense. A meal for 15 people and I had class until 12 so I had only a few hours to cook it all. However this year was quiet, just the flatmates and I due to lockdown. We munched on some meats, cheeses, olives and hummus to start and then dove into turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, maple roasted veggies, garlic bread and broccoli. So delicious, I’m still dreaming about it. The night finished with a game of uno, a few rice crispy treats and bellies full.
27 Friday (day 23)
A day of leftovers, lots of work and of course the usual school work routine. The day after Thanksgiving is arguably the better day, with a mix of cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and turkey - the perfect ingredients for a big sandwich or honestly just a second serving of last night’s dinner. I cooked myself out the day before so I fell lazy and ordered bolognese via Deliveroo. God that was the best idea I’ve had in awhile. A special shoutout to Al Dente in Hackney for truly delivering the most delicious pasta. Spent the night falling into a black hole of Final Chef on Netflix. Eight episodes later and a facetime call with my friends back home and I diagnosed myself with stage 5 FOMO. Things could be worse though, I could’ve watched nine episodes.
28 Saturday (day 24)
Woke up early and made myself a rare plate of scrambled eggs with rice cakes (starting to think I only like talking about food…). I’ve been reserving my weekends with walks in parks. This week’s gem was Regent’s Park. I’ve been around it plenty being that it’s so close to Oxford Circus, I’ve just never actually gone in. I would give it a solid 7/10 on the scale - beautiful landscaping and somewhat on the bigger side. Negatives included the busy roads surrounding the entirety of the park. Stopped at Pret for a quick bite only to find myself in the middle of a Anti-Masker protest. God I wish I was kidding.
29 Sunday (day 25)
Took my Sunday slow. Had a nice bowl of banana oatmeal for brunch and went on a longer than usual walk. I always forget that London is nothing like New York when it comes to the grid system. You walk down a different road and you can’t just circle back. The roads are like a giant maze. I went back and forth between working and taking breaks until around 5 when I took a break for a MWH and dinner. Made myself a little bowl of farro and stir fry veggies. Finished the night by catching up on last weeks work.
1 Monday (day 26)
A productive and unusually active Monday. Woke up at a decent time only to look outside and see pouring rain. Decided to skip my walk and stay in for an early morning workout. Had no classes in the morning, so spent my time writing an essay and filling up on coffee and oatmeal. Around noon I left home and headed over to the library to copy and print documents for my NI number application (working papers for UK) followed by a quick visit to the post office to drop off the envelope. I had an in person class from two to five and then came home and immediately went for a 2 mile walk and then workout. Leftovers for dinner and spent a few hours procrastinating. You would think that I would’ve been exhausted and slept well, but instead I laid in bed unable to sleep until six in the morning. Yes, six in the morning. My brain was preoccupied - too busy to sleep thinking about my final projects, impending doom of unemployment and a variety of scenarios in which I contract Covid and void my plane ticket home for the holidays. Boooooo.
2 Tuesday (day 27)
The no sleep yesterday kinda ruined any and all hope of a good day (not to be negative, but come on). Intended to wake up early and get myself together but felt like a truck ran me over and lost any and all motivation (shocker). Anywho didn’t let that stop my day, I did whatever work I could get done. Around noon I went in for my last in person class of the year ( don’t let that fool you, still have plenty of work, just now all online) and left with the wORST stomach ache possible (a combination of hunger, giant pee baby and pure exhaustion). Made a little eggplant and spinach pasta ordeal for dinner and then called it a night. Not a very exciting ending to these last days, but how exciting can it be?
To no surprise I underestimated the clearly stated lockdown and finished with 27 days rather than 28. Contrary to the long lasting, and uncertain finish of the previous lockdown, this one concluded with much more certainty and less restrictions. I can’t say that I’ve grown in any particular way (besides maybe more fit and increased aubergine consumption? ) and well I think that could be due to the fact I spent this one during the Fall/Winter seasons, (limited outdoor activities) and in the middle of a busy city (constant patrolling and no middle-of-nowhere walks. No time to transcend.
Hopefully this is the last - but if not, talk again!
