Compliments of the Season

Happy Lockdown! This Christmas is an unusual one worldwide. Diner parties or social engagements with more than three family members or people (not sharing same households) are not allowed in the Netherlands. No church events to attend. The turn of the year will be very quiet without fireworks, its forbidden (I will miss the ornamental fireworks though). No (wild) house parties or clubbing at ungodly hours. A ritual that students and outgoing people have to instantly breakaway from. But the good thing is that we are now better prepared for this lockdown. I learned a couple of lessons from the “intelligent” one.  I made a summary of the areas that kept me “sane” during the first lockdown and added new ones. In no specific order, some I follow better than others.

AVOID CLUTTER >>>The more I watch(ed) news on Coshit the more it sucks the energy out of me.  So I avoid Corona related news as much as possible. Replace it with other trending news, conversations with friends and family, movies or documentaries. To stay up-to-date, I read the summaries of press conference, comments and highlights on social media. Then switch off for weeks.

FOOD REGIMEN>>> Corona has revived my daily doses of vegetables and fruits. Besides the intake of vitamin supplements, I hydrate myself with hot water and splashes of lemon as often as possible.  In the winter period I add more spicy peppers, ginger and garlic to my dishes. 

BAD DAY >>>One of those days I feel sorry for myself, the world and put all of that under a magnitude glass.  I say let that day be. Is it eating all day snacks/ junk food in the house or is it walking in my pj’s all day with a dark gray cloud above me? Let it be, but tell the people (kids, spouse, partner, friend, roommate) around me how I feel. Give into it for just one day. Then get back on my feet and snap out of it.

RECONNECT >>>with my inner soul by praying or meditating every morning for 5-20 min. Just being grateful for my life and those that surround me the moment I wake up. Also leave my phone untouched for at least 30 – 60 minutes. Step out of the house as often as I can in a week to catch that “fresh” air. Dress up nicely, spray that sweet aroma and look myself in the mirror, smile and say, “I LOVE YOU” then go to the fish market.

MUSIC>>> Lively up myself by playing those “old” favorite songs that brings back good memories. I sing as loud as I can. Try out those old moves I couldn’t figure out in the past. I also listen to new tunes. Dance like today is my last. I do this when I am cooking, cleaning or the laundry, also with the kids. I reminisce to those songs linked to memories and get myself familiar with new tunes and moves. I can’t describe how happy I feel when I do this.

EXERCISE>>> Keep fit by moving my body at least 15 minutes intensively a day. This can be dancing, yoga, work-out, biking or enjoying a walk outside.  As much I love to train my body, my mind is important too. Reading books is another way to escape the reality at times. It feeds my thoughts and gives me other perspectives. I still have that shelf of unread books waiting for me.

REST>>> This is something I hardly practice. I should take 15 minutes to max 1 hour power naps in between the day. Sleep on time, a minimum of 8 hours a day, is normal right? A discipline I couldn’t achieve without having kids, talk less now with kids. This holiday season lockdown, I promised myself to at least take a few days of my projects and business. The truth is I can’t be sleeping when I want to achieve my dreams. However switching off devices more often is not a bad act to start with.

Happy Holidays! If you are celebrating Christmas, I wish you a blessed one. Make it extra special with your loved ones.

How are you keeping it together in the lockdown? Tips and thoughts are welcome here.

Images of/from:

Swans and their babies

Homemade birthday plate of proteins and fresh salad

Josiah Weiss – Unsplash

NOTE: last edited date is for the layout and typos/ grammar errors not the content of the post!