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When we hear the word “lockdown”, an audible groan escapes many of our lips. It might have become a regular part of our vocab, but not one that we love, right? We’ve decided to try to find the positives, and asked our team and our readers about the things they’re finding happiness with during lockdown.
- I can binge-watch Netflix every night until 2am.
- I live in my jeans day in and day out (a new pair every day, of course).
- No high heels (high five for that).
- If my hair looks terrible or I haven’t finished my makeup in time for a Zoom meeting, I can just turn my camera off. I also don’t have to go to the hairdresser so often.
- I get to snuggle with my kids for longer in the mornings.
- I get to do ballet, karate and baking classes via Zoom with my kids.
- I have time to do more labour-intensive gardening, something I had forgotten that I love so much.
- I have found solace in puzzles and enjoy the bonding time with my husband through this, too.
- I get to drink more G&Ts and watch the sunset.
- I challenge myself to do something new and different every day.
- I love that it’s less rushed and that there’s more time to talk to each other, and chat to family.
- I love that I get to spend the day with my cat. She is old and wants love and affection all the time. Before the lockdown, I was out a lot of the time but now I’ve managed to spend so much time with her and it’s been very healing. Animals always bring me joy.
- I love watching my work team grow through the difficulty of lockdown.
- I love the fact that I don’t have to sit in traffic every day, travelling to and from the office. I feel like at least two hours of my day is wasted and during the lockdown, I have been able to use those more productively working on my fitness and meal prep.
- I love getting to spend more time with my mom who moved in with me for the lockdown.
- I enjoy trying out and learning new recipes.
- I love that we’re simplifying life and realising that we don’t need all the “material” things we always thought we did.
- I have time to breastfeed my 10-month-old exclusively without having to pump for school and top up with formula when I don’t pump enough.
- I have lost weight! Yes, many people have bemoaned the fact that they have made more trips to the fridge than they normally would have, but I’ve managed to lose a couple of kilos (just a couple!) – and it’s not just the baggy clothes talking.
- I managed to quit smoking.
- I enjoy sleeping in a bit and not having to wake up at 4am for work.
- I like having all this time with my kids even if they do drive me crazy at least once a day.
“I love that we’re simplifying life and realising that we don’t need all the ‘material’ things we always thought we did.”
- I love the silence – I live in the Cape Town City Bowl and it’s been so quiet at what used to be peak hour that I can hear the bees buzzing in my garden.
- I love having my husband home all the time. It was a challenge at first, but now it’s so convenient. When he takes a lunch break, he plays with the kids and I bath them just in time for him to help me when he’s done working.
- Even though I am working remotely from home, I love the fact that I get to spend more quality time with my husband and daughter. Our little girl is learning and doing new things, so it’s wonderful to be able to share in it together as a family.
- I love being at home with my dog during the day. I have a spare bed next to my desk and while I’m working, he lies by my side. Every hour or so, he gives me that penetrating look – the one where I must get up and go outside to play fetch with him. It is only for five minutes at a time, but it gets me out of my chair and lets him get rid of that pent-up energy.
- I am loving reading more.
- I talk more on the phone now than before (except for the pre-cell-phone days). Sometimes a text message is just not enough and I’ve almost overcome my “phobia” of video calls.
- I love seeing the “real” come out of strangers that we didn’t previously get a chance to witness. Many of them are friendlier and more considerate with the slower pace of life.
- The thing I love? No loadshedding!
So, there you have it, folks. When lockdown’s got you feeling low, take another look at this list – or make one of your own – and try to focus on the good that has come out of the recent changes we’ve all experienced. Because there really are some things to feel great about!
