Life in lockdown is the new normal

It’s really weird, I don’t know if life in lockdown is my new normal (it’s definitely my new reality) or if a positive attitude and different mindset is making me feel different.  I’m living in a 570 square foot bubble and it’s ok. Actually it’s better than ok, it’s really good.
I saw this quote in my new BFF instagram and liked it. I usually talk A LOT so the voice in my head has been in overdrive lately. And it’s no longer just in my head, I’ve been chatting to the plants quite a bit too. Mmmm maybe I’ve actually lost it!

 Thursday and Friday went by really quickly. Work has been so bloody busy so that helps. What doesn’t help is a day full of 30min meetings. They never finish early so I’m racing from one call or video meeting to the next. I’m back to eating lunch some time during mid to late afternoon in front of the laptop. I’m trying to break that habit but sometimes that’s impossible.

 Thanks to my friend Ann (a collleague from the Frankfurt office), I realised I was able to change the weeks in the Sweat app. I’m now doing workouts that are challenging which is what I need (because I expanded in Singapore). I’m also doing a good warm up with the skipping rope before I start. The rope is an evil beast but it’s a great way to get your heart rate up quickly.
Speaking of heart rate, I’ve noticed that my resting heart rate is 5-6 beats higher than normal. I went back through the stats in my Fitbit app and realised that the increase in my heart rate started around the time the announcement about quarantine in HK was made. That was about a week before I flew home from Singapore. 

 I don’t know if this is a coincidence, but my diagnosis (as a marketer!) is that the thought of quarantine coupled with the underlying or subconscious stress and anxiety of  living in lockdown has caused this. I must see what Dr Google has to say on this subject.

 The HK govt announcement tighter lockdown measures on Thursday. While many restaurants are still open (because most Hong Kongers don’t cook at home), seating is really spaced out and groups are limited to 4 people. The new announcement was that bars, clubs and any booze selling places are to shut for 14 days.
I understand why this needs to happen, but I was really looking forward to a few drinks and a singalong at the Wanch as my freedom celebration. Adhering to social distancing laws of course. Not to worry, the Wanch, in all its mad glory, will reopen again and I’ll be able to enjoy HKs unofficial home of live music again one day.

 Friday night at 8pm was time for HK to say thank you to all of the people working in the front lines of this pandemic. I got a little choked up standing on my balcony clapping my thanks and hearing thousands of people do the same.

 This video is after the first round of clapping had died down so you can only imagine how loud it was at the start.
A huge thanks to all the doctors, nurses and hospital staff both in HK and Australia and all around the world, working to the point of exhaustion day in and day out to try and control this pandemic. You guys are awesome. Thanks also to the delivery people as you are my life line while in lockdown.

 We are living through crazy times. I’m trying not to think about it too much while I’m in lockdown so I don’t freak myself out, but it’s a weird world we’re living in at the moment.

 Mood of the day: 8/10
Mental health: very good
Steps: 6,784 (mostly from exercise because work had me locked to the laptop) and 
The need to go outside: non existent 
Song of the day: https://youtu.be/nvUOgIgLqOQ

Thanks for sending love my way in lockdown. I know loads of you are self isolating to stay safe and prevent the spread of the virus. I’d love to hear your stories, even if it does involve getting outside!

 Stay safe and wash your hands x

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