13 Ways To Thrive During Your Second Week of Lockdown

I'm almost through my second week of lockdown, in fact, today is day 14, I made it. The moment I understood how quickly Covid could spread learning from others across the world and my friend who is a virologist and expert on these things, I was in lockdown. I've been to the supermarket a couple of times and also down the coast for a quick solo wave, but that was last week, I haven't left the garage now in 4 days.

I've learnt a lot so far and wanted to share with you these things that have helped me stay productive and keep the days filled. Some of it might help, some might not, it all depends on who you want to be and where you see yourself in 90 days, but these principles can be applied to most of us as we all share one thing in common, we are all human beings.

To provide you with some context about me; I'm an entrepreneur (who can work remotely) and weeks away from launching another technology company. I do have a number of other businesses that are all starting to grow after a successful build and sell previously was completed nearly 3 years ago.

I am a single father of two kids (week on, week off) & I have financial responsibility just like you. Currently, I'm living in a renovated garage but I do have other options. This week the kids have been with their Mum, I've missed them a lot. 

At the end of the day, I'm just like you. I feel happiness, sadness and all the other emotions you do too. We are the same you and I, now so more than ever because we are seeing just how fragile and connected all of our external worlds are and how a virus has brought all of these to a much slower pace simultaneously.

So here's 13 things I wanted to share with you to hopefully make your second week in lockdown smoother and productive.

1. Create structure in each day, set intentions, eat & sleep at usual times, have things to look forward to be creative. Break up your day into 3 blocks, morning, afternoon and nighttime.

2. Exercise every day - no reason not to exercise in the morning or in the earlier part of the day. It will set you up for the rest of the day loaded with endorphins. They help!

3. Look after your brain - what are you eating and drinking? If you put good things in, good things will come out.

4. Connect with 10 people a day - a few via voice, a few direct messages, a few text, some video-calls using Zoom, create a group call for every day. Pretend as though you can still speak and see everyone. Who is on your team through this? What might you need to change in terms of way of keeping regular communication? 

5. Stay inside - it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better and I personally believe all of us will be affected by someone close getting the virus and knowing someone that dies. Unfortunately, that is the scenario we are facing ahead. The best way to minimise the duration and impact of Covid19 is to practice social distancing. Stay inside.

6. Keep living - have things in your day to look forward to. Your home is meant to be the place you are happiest and most comfortable, it's probably not for a lot and that's okay now is the time to create fun, it's up to you. All of us, we all need to keep living and being present through this. The more you face and accept it the more you will grow through the process.

7. Drink a f***load of coffee just because it's good & so is humour at times right now.

8. Meditate, mindfulness, mental relaxation are all really useful now - Yoga Nidra is something I recommend because I find it hard to stop thinking and it just works for me. Try and find your thing, even if it is taking a few quiet minutes reflecting in the moment, or even about the day prior or the one ahead, this time is for you.

9. Make each day count - show up with intention and a desire to achieve doing what is within your control. At the end of each day acknowledge what you have been able to get done. And equally accepting of the things that you might not have. You've probably been beating yourself up for a long time and now more than ever is the time to be kind, instead use this time to practice internal praise/self-love. 

10. Eating more plant-based meals and foods is going to help, failing a lot of f****** coffee, they offer clarity & I've found a clearer mind. They are better for the digestion process and of course, now is not the time to eat 8 donuts a day, as much as I'd like to as well. Be mindful of how much energy you need.

11. Learn something new because there has never been a better time than right now and make it around something that you have a passion for. It will light you up, you will then have a flow-on effect to those around you and all these things and skills you learn will help you once we have been through what we are about to

12. Spend 15 minutes per day to educate yourself on Covid19 but please use trusted sources (WHO, Fardy Facts on FB are great) to prepare yourself for the peak of the virus equipped with the relevant and accurate information. Do not trawl social media or channel flick to hear the latest "shock and awe headline".

13. Be of service to others what skill or talent do you have that can be shared to help someone else. Give of your time freely, perhaps you can create training or product that you can virtually simply to enhance other people's lives. It could be writing an article or a piece of content. Taking a nice photo and sending it to someone, how can you be of service to others daily, find a way it helps a lot.

I encourage you to do your best throughout this part of your journey. Accept the reality of the situation and walk bravely, with confidence into the future - remember this is only one chapter of our lives, albeit a significant one.

Be mindful that whilst the stats are being presented to you right now are alarming, it is also important to take into consideration the stats around recoveries. This is going to have an impact on our lives no doubt, but for most of us will end up being an inspiring chapter in our lives.

And lastly, I'll leave you with these words I sent to someone I care about yesterday, "When the moments of doubt show up, because they will for all of us, I encourage you to remember all the times you've made it through in the past."

Peace & love from me to you,

BV