10 Things I Learned During the Pandemic Lockdown
♥
By: Micaela Blitz
It’s very easy to get caught up in the negativity of the current pandemic situation, especially as it seems to be full of so much uncertainty and confusion.
I’ve tried to remain positive which is easier said than done. I haven’t actually worked since March 2020, and as a freelancer I’m not entirely sure when I may find work again! However, I believe we have to make the best of these strange times and keep our sense of humor.
As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, you can either make lemonade or a Gin & Tonic! Make mine a double please, cheers!
It’s impossible to look good on a Zoom call
I’ve tried, I really have! But no amount of tasteful lighting, virtual backgrounds, or filters can make me look even halfway decent online.
No matter where I place my laptop, I can’t find a flattering angle without giving me three chins, an in-depth view of my nostrils, or an extreme close up of my chest.
Also, is it just me or do the parameters of the Zoom screen seem to change? I’ve had some interesting moments where I am chatting away and realize out of the corner of my eye that my pants are drying in the back of the shot and I have to work out a way to remove them without everyone else on the call noticing.
Braless in pajamas dress code
As a woman who has been blessed in the chest department, my daily routine includes putting on a bra every day to make sure the ladies are kept in the manner to which they have become accustomed – mainly encased in something lacy and heavily underwired!!
I would love to be able to just let them all hang out, but gravity can be cruel, so for everyone’s sake keeping them strapped in is definitely the way to go!
Although I am technically between contracts (freelance speak for out of work), I still like to maintain a routine. Although it would certainly be easier to say forget it and hang out in my PJ’s braless, watching daytime TV day after day.
Kids are hard work
I am thankful on a daily basis that I don’t have kids to homeschool and entertain.
I love children, and I have many friends who are raising adorable funny little people, but during lockdown it seemed like these perfect little cherubs turned into hellians.
While some parents posted throughout the summer on social media idyllic scenes of children obediently doing math in the garden or using a walk in the park to discuss the water cycle– the reality for most parents included many lockdown days screaming for their kids to find their work books, stop kicking their brother, and to put some trousers on.
Who else appreciates teachers a whole lot more these days?
Netflix burn out
Tiger King– done. Don’t f*ck with cats– done. The Queen’s Gambit– done!
I am burnt out on binge watching shows!
It was fun at first. Watching shows until the wee hours of the morning because you knew you didn’t have to get up for work early the next day.
But I think you can have too much of a good thing, and I feel I reached the pinnacle of Netflix burn out.
What Day is Today?
Without the structure of a working week, one day quite easily melts into the next.
But after the work from home honeymoon period was over, it all became a lot more difficult.
Annual milestones come and go. Holidays, Easter, family occasions, and birthdays have all passed us by. And we were all robbed of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations on some level.
There are more dogs than people in the world
I am not sure if this can be statistically proven, but if the dog-count at my local park during the pandemic is anything to go by, you could be forgiven for thinking that the whole world has been inhabited by cockapoos.
I’m not a natural animal-lover, but even I will admit seeing these furry balls of fluff happily running after a stick or chasing a ball is something that warms my heart.
Too much time can actually be a bad thing
As a freelancer, having a bit of down time between jobs can be a good thing, and I usually try to cram as much into it before things get completely crazy with work.
However, with so much time on my hands, there is not the same rush to get things done and with no clear deadline in sight it can be a bad thing.
Charity (shopping) begins at home
Having time to do all my washing started off as a good idea, but by doing this I destroyed the delicate equilibrium of clothes rotation where at any one time I have clothes either in the washing basket, on the ironing pile or in my wardrobe.
But by doing ALL of my washing in the first week, I did not have enough space to fit everything in.
I decided to bag some up for charity, but all the charity shops weren’t able to deal with all the donations they already had so they refused to take it. Gradually, I started dipping back into these bags and putting stuff back in my wardrobe that I think I might actually wear again.
It’s ok not to feel ok
I am a pretty upbeat person most of the time, and I have muddled through lockdown in good spirits despite having no job, or anything on the horizon, but some days even I just feel a bit meh and that’s ok!
There has been a rise in mental health issues for many people, but I think we can often be hard on ourselves in dealing with the unknown.
It is fully understandable if all the circumstances just feel like a bit too much. So, if watching an old movie, while under your duvet, munching through a bag of snacks helps you get through the day, then do it.
Of course, if it is an everyday occurrence, you may want to speak with a professional counselor.
All in all, be kind to yourself! Considering the times are strange. No one really knows how to deal with what is going on (including government leaders), so don’t feel too bad!
10 Things I Learned During the Pandemic Lockdown
♥
By: Micaela Blitz
It’s very easy to get caught up in the negativity of the current pandemic situation, especially as it seems to be full of so much uncertainty and confusion.
I’ve tried to remain positive which is easier said than done. I haven’t actually worked since March 2020, and as a freelancer I’m not entirely sure when I may find work again! However, I believe we have to make the best of these strange times and keep our sense of humor.
As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, you can either make lemonade or a Gin & Tonic! Make mine a double please, cheers!
It’s impossible to look good on a Zoom call
I’ve tried, I really have! But no amount of tasteful lighting, virtual backgrounds, or filters can make me look even halfway decent online.
No matter where I place my laptop, I can’t find a flattering angle without giving me three chins, an in-depth view of my nostrils, or an extreme close up of my chest.
Also, is it just me or do the parameters of the Zoom screen seem to change? I’ve had some interesting moments where I am chatting away and realize out of the corner of my eye that my pants are drying in the back of the shot and I have to work out a way to remove them without everyone else on the call noticing.
Braless in pajamas dress code
As a woman who has been blessed in the chest department, my daily routine includes putting on a bra every day to make sure the ladies are kept in the manner to which they have become accustomed – mainly encased in something lacy and heavily underwired!!
I would love to be able to just let them all hang out, but gravity can be cruel, so for everyone’s sake keeping them strapped in is definitely the way to go!
Although I am technically between contracts (freelance speak for out of work), I still like to maintain a routine. Although it would certainly be easier to say forget it and hang out in my PJ’s braless, watching daytime TV day after day.
Kids are hard work
I am thankful on a daily basis that I don’t have kids to homeschool and entertain.
I love children, and I have many friends who are raising adorable funny little people, but during lockdown it seemed like these perfect little cherubs turned into hellians.
While some parents posted throughout the summer on social media idyllic scenes of children obediently doing math in the garden or using a walk in the park to discuss the water cycle– the reality for most parents included many lockdown days screaming for their kids to find their work books, stop kicking their brother, and to put some trousers on.
Who else appreciates teachers a whole lot more these days?
Netflix burn out
Tiger King– done. Don’t f*ck with cats– done. The Queen’s Gambit– done!
I am burnt out on binge watching shows!
It was fun at first. Watching shows until the wee hours of the morning because you knew you didn’t have to get up for work early the next day.
But I think you can have too much of a good thing, and I feel I reached the pinnacle of Netflix burn out.
What Day is Today?
Without the structure of a working week, one day quite easily melts into the next.
But after the work from home honeymoon period was over, it all became a lot more difficult.
Annual milestones come and go. Holidays, Easter, family occasions, and birthdays have all passed us by. And we were all robbed of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations on some level.
There are more dogs than people in the world
I am not sure if this can be statistically proven, but if the dog-count at my local park during the pandemic is anything to go by, you could be forgiven for thinking that the whole world has been inhabited by cockapoos.
I’m not a natural animal-lover, but even I will admit seeing these furry balls of fluff happily running after a stick or chasing a ball is something that warms my heart.
Too much time can actually be a bad thing
As a freelancer, having a bit of down time between jobs can be a good thing, and I usually try to cram as much into it before things get completely crazy with work.
However, with so much time on my hands, there is not the same rush to get things done and with no clear deadline in sight it can be a bad thing.
Charity (shopping) begins at home
Having time to do all my washing started off as a good idea, but by doing this I destroyed the delicate equilibrium of clothes rotation where at any one time I have clothes either in the washing basket, on the ironing pile or in my wardrobe.
But by doing ALL of my washing in the first week, I did not have enough space to fit everything in.
I decided to bag some up for charity, but all the charity shops weren’t able to deal with all the donations they already had so they refused to take it. Gradually, I started dipping back into these bags and putting stuff back in my wardrobe that I think I might actually wear again.
It’s ok not to feel ok
I am a pretty upbeat person most of the time, and I have muddled through lockdown in good spirits despite having no job, or anything on the horizon, but some days even I just feel a bit meh and that’s ok!
There has been a rise in mental health issues for many people, but I think we can often be hard on ourselves in dealing with the unknown.
It is fully understandable if all the circumstances just feel like a bit too much. So, if watching an old movie, while under your duvet, munching through a bag of snacks helps you get through the day, then do it.
Of course, if it is an everyday occurrence, you may want to speak with a professional counselor.
All in all, be kind to yourself! Considering the times are strange. No one really knows how to deal with what is going on (including government leaders), so don’t feel too bad!
About author: Micaela Blitz
Micaela is from Hertfordshire, UK.
She is a TV Producer, Journalist, and Podcast Producer for How Many Producers.
She is passionate about stand-up comedy, writing, and dreams of writing a novel one day!
Instagram: @micaela_blitz
About author: Micaela Blitz
Micaela is from Hertfordshire, UK.
She is a TV Producer, Journalist, and Podcast Producer for How Many Producers.
She is passionate about stand-up comedy, writing, and dreams of writing a novel one day!
Instagram: @micaela_blitz
