6 tips for Life After Lockdown

With lockdown soon coming to an end and restrictions gradually easing, we look at how to help yourself adjust back into a normal life that works for you.

​1. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

With the vaccine being quickly rolled out and a ‘road map’ now in place, we can move forward with a proposed structure of dates. Although subject to change, we can at least have an aim of expectation and therefore make a plan to slowly adjust back to a sense of normality.

2. REFLECT

Although the pandemic has brought great sadness and unimaginable stress, losing loved ones, losing jobs and generally struggling to cope, we can try to look back at this past year and ask ourselves questions like; What have we learned? What did we do that we wouldn’t have done before? What can we take forward? Life cannot instantly change and fall back into place to exactly how we remembered it, so it is best to try not to compare or recreate the past. This will only cause frustration and
hinder your thought process to be able to move on. Taking time to reflect is really important on the road to recovery, so take time to sit and note down any worries you may have and try to chat through these with a friend or loved one to help make little steps to overcome any fears or anxiety.

3. IN YOUR OWN TIME

Is it a normal feeling to be worried about what life will be like after lockdown? Whilst some people are poised, ready and raring to hug loved ones, get out of the house and live life to the full, many of us are feeling more apprehensive at the thought of what the new normal will hold and may not want to dive straight back into crowded places.
Our mental wellbeing has been of great importance during this pandemic and every individual person has dealt with the situation in their own way. Feeling anxious, emotional or even excited is completed acceptable and we should all take this transition back to pre covid life at our own pace. The virus won’t altogether disappear so this is something we have to accept to live with. The most important thing post pandemic is to respect one anothers feelings and give people the time and space to
adjust to what’s comfortable for them in their own time. Peer pressure is not acceptable. We’ve had a year of uncertainty and equally the next year or more will need an aspect of flexibility and understanding to adapt and accept.

​4. LOOK FORWARD

Although it is important to reflect on and learn from the past year it is equally important to look forward and make a plan. Initially, try not to organise anything too far in advance, perhaps look week on week rather than months ahead to avoid overwhelming change or disappointment. Setting unrealistic expectations will only lead to feelings of frustration and failure, so start with little steps. Maybe make a
trip to your favourite shop, book a weekend away or even get back to the gym, whatever you enjoy, create a purpose and a routine to ensure you have some sort of focus. Maybe you discovered new hobbies during lockdown? Try to continue with the things that you enjoyed. Keep walking, take time out, get outside and exercise and most importantly keep connected with loved ones. This is all key to achieving happiness.

5. BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS

The pandemic has brought huge unforeseen problems for many companies worldwide. Unfortunately we have had to witness so many historic brands close their doors, watched small businesses struggle and seen the numerous amount of redundancies that follow such difficult times. We are so glad to hear that retail will again open on the 12th of April and hope this kick starts the uphill climb to get the economy back on track. For the Woven Edge, it hasn’t been easy but where and when possible, we have continued to supply custom made rugs throughout the pandemic, supported our manufacturers and kept contact with retailers to help them through these difficult times. Not all business suffered, opportunities arised and new start ups have been born and with this new job opportunities and developments have arised. When safe and when restrictions lift, we look forward to welcoming you back into The Woven Edge studio and hope to see you soon at an exhibition near you.

​6. THANKS

We want to take this moment to reflect and remember the lives lost, thank all the NHS staff and the superheroes that  gave up their free time to help people less fortunate than them. We really hope our blog helps you start your journey to a new normal so take a moment and step by step, slowly but steadily, we will recover from this.