Life Lessons in Lockdown: What I Discovered About My Mental Health During A Global Pandemic
To say that the last few months has been difficult would be an understatement. I know the word unprecedented is perhaps seen as overused, but there really is no other way to describe the impact that the devasting COVID-19 pandemic has had on the world. Pre-lockdown, I was always a worrier and an expert at overthinking. I also took everything way too seriously, much to the detriment of my own happiness. I also spent much of my teens and early twenties consumed by mental illnesses, and although lockdown has been undeniably difficult in terms of my mental health, I have also found that this period of self-reflection has made me see the world in a different light to how I previously did. Here are some things that I learned during quarantine, about mental health, life and myself.
There is so much joy in the little things.
Lockdown has essentially stripped back our lives, and with that I found myself seeking happiness in the smallest things. I have been taking in everything around me in a way I never have before, and this has led me to find enjoyment in going for daily walks. I have a history of struggling with an eating disorder and used to relentlessly pound the pavements every day as an addictive form of punishment which had the sole purpose of burning calories. I never used to enjoy the walks or runs I forced myself to go on – if anything it would make more miserable. When going for a daily walk was so precious during lockdown, I found myself really looking forward to simply putting a good playlist on and having some fresh air to clear my head. I smiled at every stranger I passed and took in the simple beauty of nature as I walked. When everything feels chaotic and scary, it is okay to take life one day at a time, finding simple pleasures that help get you through the day. Even if it’s just a new series to binge or a bar of your favourite chocolate to savour, it is so important to find happiness wherever you can.
The people you love are so important and you should make time for them.
I wouldn’t have got through lockdown without the support of my family and friends. The people you love are so precious and making memories with them is so important. Sometimes in the past, the hectic nature of everyday life has meant that I have been guilty of going way too long without seeing people I love, or have unintentionally drifted from old friends. Mental illness can also cause you to isolate yourself from others or push people away, but lockdown has reminded me that there is truly nothing more valuable than time with the ones we love. Don’t be afraid to drop an old friend a message, or to let someone know just how much they matter to you. Everyone is struggling right now and a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
It’s okay not to be okay.
I cannot emphasise this statement enough. It is okay to have feelings and you never need to deal with the hard times alone. I have often kept busy in order to distract myself from feeling my emotions or turned to negative coping mechanisms such as my eating disorder, but this is never helpful in the long run. You also don’t need to compare yourself to other people, especially not during a global pandemic. It’s okay if you haven’t been doing daily workouts, learning new languages or writing the next bestseller. It’s completely fine if your version of lockdown doesn’t look as productive as the people on your Instagram feed and you shouldn’t feel guilty – social media is a highlight reel that doesn’t always reflect reality. This has been a difficult and strange time; there is no right way to get through days that we never envisaged we would be dealing with. Your mental wellbeing is crucial and talking is so cathartic; it genuinely helps to get things off your chest. Talk to a friend, family member, doctor or helpline if you need support. You are always stronger than you think you are.
You can’t control everything, but that’s okay.
Like many people who struggle with anxiety, I have always had a need to feel in control of my life. I needed to plan absolutely everything, which meant that I had an incredibly rigid daily routine and would not dare to step outside of my comfort zone. The pandemic has disrupted everything that we once knew, and although this is terrifying and overwhelming, it has shown me that life is about adapting to the challenging times that we are presented with. We can’t control everything and this situation is just so unbelievably tough, there’s no doubt about that. However, what we can do is cope with it the best we can and try to support one another through it.
Life is precious, do what you love.
Life is incredibly precious. We are so lucky to be alive and must never take our health for granted – it is a privilege, after all. Seeing the heartbreaking impact of coronavirus made me put a lot of the things I previously worried about into perspective. It also made me realise that you just need to do the things you want to do. I have previously held myself back from going for things, and I have found this period of self-reflection has truly made me see how counterintuitive this was. You will never regret applying for your dream job or telling someone how you feel about them as much as you will regret not doing these things. I have also realised how having the time to do some of my favourite hobbies makes me happy and ultimately benefits my mental health. You only get one life, so you owe it to yourself to make the most of it and take the time to do the things that make you feel good.
There is always something to be grateful for, even in the darkest times.
There has been so much to be grateful for even in the worst of times and we need to hold onto this. The incredible NHS, all of the amazing key workers, the windows decorated with rainbows as a sign of hope. Our friends and family. Acts of kindness. The idea that one day, we will all be okay again.
