Taking time away from social media and being online has helped me a lot recently. I adore Instagram, Twitter and all the others out there that help us stay connected with each other. However, if anything the lockdown has made me appreciate real life instead of the online one that we see a lot more.

I have discovered elements and areas around my home that I would never have found without my daily walk. I have seen the beauty in humanity. Neighbours leaving presents on our doorsteps. Neighbours and strangers offering help to others. People saying hello when they would have ignored you before. Voices reaching out to talk to others when needed.

It feels like the world is going mad but also turning into a nicer place to. Sure, I have met some rude people along the way. But many experiences since leaving the hospital have been lovely. I’m someone who is now hoping that we can keep working with our neighbours after this because it's so nice to be close to people.

Though, it isn’t just these little things that have been helping me during the lockdown. Taking some time to embrace being out of a hospital and back in the open has been hard. I will hold up my hands and say that a month on I am struggling. At least once daily I want to cry. But I have found comfort in some small things that I wanted to share with you all. These have been perfect at making my days a little bit easier…

Waking Up to Your Favourite Sounds: When I was on the ward, I forgot to embrace and listen to music. I love hearing people talking about daily topics and coming up with lovely discussions. Since being home, I have picked this up again. I sit in the morning, with my breakfast, listening to the sounds of BBC Three Counties and I love it. I even keep it on now during the day as background noise and at other meals. I only really change it if I want to listen to a chat on BBC Radio 4 or at night when I love to listen to Mellow Magic. All of which are super calming.

Reading About Hopefully Stories: The news is full of the horrors of the coronavirus. Yet, there is so many positive things that are also happening. Whether it is local or not, I find looking up the stories that bring a smile to my face is helpful. Captain Tom Moore is a true legend. The number of babies being born. Neighbours dancing in the street. The weekly claps. Reading about these is so much nicer and spark a sense that we are an incredible world that will beat this.

Speaking Out About Daily Struggles: As I mentioned before, I am struggling. I get worried about what life is going to be like during and after all of this. Coming out of the hospital when I wasn’t meant to started as a dream and now it is a bit of a confusing matter. I love being at home with my parents and am so lucky to be able to be with them, but I do feel bad when I struggle with something. Speaking to my mum daily has made it a lot smoother though and I still reach out to friends, who are always able to motivate me. It has also been a great time to speak to those that I haven’t done in a long time. Never underestimate the power of something and how it can bring us all together.

Plan Your Day: Each night and early morning I like to plan what I am going to do the next day. Of course, my plans always change around, but having a bit of a structure makes them run a bit smoother. Even when I can’t remember what day of the week we are on! I plan my meals with my mum. We look at what we could watch, where we could go on our daily walks, what needs to be done in the house and make lists for the rest of the week. All of which help to put a certain flow in place during a mad time.

Make Self Love and Care Number One: Ultimately, the best thing we can all do right now is be gentle with ourselves. There is so much happening, and it can all be overwhelming. We need to remember that slow and steady wins the race and we will. Take time to think about yourself. Take time to relax. Want to have a shower in the middle of the day? Go on then! Want to bake banana

bread? Do it! Fancy sleeping all afternoon? Grab that duvet. The world is tough right now and anything that makes you feel better is the most important thing in the world. Just remember that you are loved and adored by so many who don’t care what you look, do or don’t do. They just want you happy and that is what you need to think about right now. So, please go and do that thing that makes you smile. It’s beautiful.

What are some of the things that you are doing during the crisis lovelies to look after yourselves?

Joey X