Things I Do To Stay Sane In Lockdown

Lockdown has been an incredible challenge for everyone. For me personally, it deeply affected me in many ways; I lost my university life, including both lectures (giving me a sense of purpose and simply something to do) as well as my university friends. I did end up moving back home; my driving test was cancelled and I no longer had the city of Exeter on my doorstep. I also went through my first breakup. Lockdown became an environment where I could easily slip into anxiety and depression, especially since I felt like I was doing nothing with my life. In some ways, this drove me to productivity. However, it also led to burnouts and a lack of motivation. It is important to remember that you do not always have to stay productive to be successful. However, doing activities you enjoy can be very helpful ways to pass the time and enjoy each day more. So these were the things I did to stay sane in lockdown which pushed me creatively. It gave me something to pass the time and to convince myself I was actually doing something with the many months spent in lockdown.

GUITAR

I am no professional at guitar; however, last year, I ended up buying one to try to teach myself  simple chords to be able to play a few songs. I steered towards both cheerful songs and those about difficult times which felt cathartic to play. I used a site called Ultimate Guitar to find all the songs and chords; it demonstrates how to play each chords and gives you a variety of options with or without a capo. I found getting back into musical instruments helped me find a way to keep my brain fully occupied. It was also great to learn some of Taylor Swift's new songs in July when her new surprise album Folklore dropped. 

WRITING

Another thing I love to do is creative writing. Ever since I was little, I would always have some project that I was working on. On the one hand, lockdown can limit your creativity. However, on the other hand, it can also let your mind wander and leave you with a lot of emotion that writing can release. It also gives you a sense of satisfaction that you are working on something great which you will be proud of. I set myself goals to write every morning even if it was only a few words. Some mornings, I would have 100 words. Others I would have 1500.

JOURNALISM

Journalism is on a similar level to creative writing, only, it is more personal. It is a great way of dealing with your emotions and thinking about better times to distract yourself. You could simply look back on good memories or delve into your thoughts that day and let all your thoughts out. I found buying an aesthetically pleasing journal can make the task even more fulfilling. I bought mine in Durham from Waterstones when I was about 16, which was when I first started getting back into journalism. I always find it lovely to look back on and it is nice to be reminded of memories which I would have otherwise forgotten. Also, in terms of emotional healing (for example, in a breakup context), it is helpful to write down the good as well as the bad so that you don't find yourself either holding onto too much toxic energy or simply glorifying the good memories and forgetting all the reasons why it didn't work out. 

SCRAPBOOKING

Another thing I loved doing was scrapbooking; it helped me really visualize all the things I wanted to do with my summer. I wrote down bucket lists as well as other lists of treats I wanted to buy myself. I also made a big list of all the amazing memories I had in my first year of University so that I didn't ever forget the little things. You could also make a photo album, something which can take up quite a lot of time and so makes a good project when you're trying to stay indoors more often. You can easily get photos delivered right to your door!

MUSIC & MAKING PLAYLISTS

Music can be extremely relaxing and can also energize you depending on what you listen to. This is why I think it is important to make playlists based on different moods. That way, if you're feeling a little down, you can put on a really upbeat playlist. On the other hand, if you're tired, you could snap on that energizing playlist. You could even make workout playlists and compare with your friends. I would listen to music on my walks or simply play it in the background when I was in my bedroom to help create a calming and upbeat atmosphere, preventing those times where you can start to feel a little depressed or hopeless. My favourite band is probably Bastille but I also found myself listening to Taylor Swift a lot, especially her new album Folklore. Otherwise, I listen to a whole mix of random artists, picking out songs I like here and there. 

PODCASTS

I often found myself struggling with my mental health during lockdown. Therefore, I decided to start to listen to podcasts of motivational speakers. My two favourites would have to be Trent Shelton and Jay Shetty, two incredible minds who focus on self-healing and finding some form of inner-peace. Jay Shetty's podcast can sometimes focus more on insightful interviews, whereas I find Trent Shelton can be better when you need something to really fuel your own individual mental health. Jay Shetty does have a few podcasts which target you personally in this way too.

WALKS

One thing that the motivational speaker 'Trent Shelton' stresses is that 'nature heals' and is a place for you to 'protect your peace.' I found myself going on a walk every day for two months straight. It was a way for me to get out and do something with my day, enjoy some sunshine (or soothing sounds of rain) and to visit the aesthetically-pleasing scenes nature provides. I also managed to get exercise in and tire myself out so that I would be more content sitting at home. It overall improved my physical health and my mental health and it is something you can do alone without relying on anyone. 

NETFLIX & YOUTUBE

These two platforms are excellent entertainment platforms which I'm sure everyone is aware of. I found having a relaxing light-hearted comedy on Netflix was always nice as well as a more serious show to captivate me. I even set up an outdoor cinema with a friend to watch a movie in my garden. In lockdown, I found myself watching The Sinner season 3 which was extremely fascinating psychologically. It is a murder mystery show with each season focusing on a new case. This season dealt with the concept of consciousness being a human invention and about facing fear. Comedy-wise, I rewatched the show 'New Girl' which has some of the best characters of any comedy show I have ever seen. In terms of YouTubers, I liked people who either made me laugh or inspired me. My favourites would have to include: Best Dressed, Jack Edwards, and Olivia Neill.