With the end of lockdown here and messages that we don’t have to stay home for the majority of our days things are looking up. Last week the rules changes so you could meet 6 people outside including in a garden. And next week the big change happens with outdoor pubs and restaurants opening, non essential retail and beauty. So there’s a lot going on at the moment which is hugely positive (I can’t wait to get my hair cut again!)

I’ve not been updating things every single week but as lockdown is ending I thought I’d do a refresher of the ‘Life in Lockdown’ linkie which is thanks to Sarah at Life In A Breakdown and some other bloggers.

1) How are you feeling/coping as we near the end of lockdown?

I’ve been much better over the past few weeks especially with the clocks changing. The lighter mornings makes it easier to get up and work out. And the lighter evenings have made it feel like I still have some daytime left after I finish work. And that’s nice. I’ve been continuing to try and get out for a little walk every day and I’ve had mixed success with it and manage it about 50% of the time. But it’s better than I had been in the months prior.

2) What have you been up to over the past 7 days?

Easter weekend last weekend was just lovely. It was really nice to have four days off work to properly disconnect, two days just isn;t enough. I managed to do some work around the house, some blog work but also saw some people. I had a lovely picnic in the park alongside four school friends and it was so nice to see people face-to-face. And then we saw Luke’s parents on Easter Sunday which aagin was really nice. Luke actually had the two bank holidays off work as well which was so good.

3) What is your favourite post of the past 7 days (it could be yours or someone else’s)?

Last week I wrote a post on both this blog and my main blog about how I feel with lockdown restrictions easing and it was one of my favourite things to write as I got to totally open up. I do a lot of informative posts but less emotional ones so it was nice to switch things up a bit.

4) Do you have any plans for lockdown easing?

With the end of lockdown here I do have a few plans coming up. This Saturday we’re going to my parents for a celebration for my dads birthday and we’re going to get a Nando’s takeaway. I’m so excited to see my family but also for Nando’s as we don’t have one close by our new house to deliver or get takeaway from.

Then next week I am getting my hair cut which is well overdue. I’m also meeting a friend for dinner in a pub garden which will be so nice to catch up with. And then on the Friday I’m booked in for a full body exfoliation at the local salon by me which is my little post lockdown treat.

With the lockdown restrictions easing as well we’ve started to book in some wedding venue viewings. We have three across the next month and I hope we find one which feels right for us.

5) What have you bought this week that others might like? (Especially if from a small business.)

A week or so ago I bought some amazing cookies from Arrival Cookies a few weeks ago which were amazing. I still have some saved in the freezer to make them last. I picked up a ring and a hoop earing from a jewellery brand called Regal Rose last week which I love, I’ve been wearing the ring loads lately.

6) What have you been grateful for over the past 7 days?

I’ve been super grateful for Luke. He’s been an absolute rock throughout the pandemic making life feel totally normal (it helps he’s still going out to work as normal). And he’s put up with my moaning to do things around the house.

7) What would you like the future to know about life during a pandemic?

That you need to think about yourself first. Take care of your own physical and mental health before lending yourself to others. You need to be fit and in a good head space yourself to be able to help others.

8) Anything else you would like to mention?

I just want everyone to know that they’re doing amazingly!