Quarantine Reflection

innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask_2X - have been really liking this to relax and I think it's an effective mask which is always a plus

Today marks 9 weeks since I begun isolation and tomorrow, will mark the first day of going back to some sort of 'normal'.

When I first initially wrote my goals (I talked about it in my 4 week reflection) but really only stuck to one - revising my language, I never truly did realise my privilege. My parents have been fortunate to keep their stable jobs so we haven't had to worry about finances. But this isn't the case for many people who have lost their job, shut down their business, etc. because of this global pandemic.

These goals, although were initially made for me to pursue interests or do things that I've put off because I 'didn't have time'. However, now I've come to realise that whilst I do need to work hard to achieve my goals, it is equally if not more important to take a step back and focus on my health - both mental and physical. With all these stories of self-made influencers, millionaires and businesses, our society has placed such a heavy focus on the hustle life to the point where taking some time for yourself is considered to be lazy or unproductive.

I found at the beginning of isolation that my daily routine of waking up at the same time, creating time to focus on my hobbies, etc. really positively influenced my productivity, more than I thought it did. It was only till my routine slipped and I was staying up late and waking up late that I did realise how much my routine helped me be more energised, maintain a positive mood and as a result, got more work done.

These past few weeks, I've been attempting to get back to that routine, although proving to be difficult I know it will be worth it in the end. After bingeing a lot of Ashley (bestdressed)'s videos this past week too, and listening to The Accidental Creative podcast, I've also made a pledge to myself to slow down and make more time for my interests because even though I spent a little bit of time on it, it has helped me to learn and develop new things as well as just enjoy all life has to offer.

I've also made not a pledge or promise, but just to practise gratitude and love more, because you never know how lucky you are until you lose something or someone.

I've realised that this reflection is very self-centred and privileged that the most important lesson to me is to take time to myself. But I really do think it is important that we do attempt to make time for ourselves and our interests in order to live a fulfilling life, otherwise we'd just be working and working which seems so purposeless and just plain boring (unless you really do love your job then yay).

Wherever you are, whether you are allowed to go out again or not, I hope that you are safe and healthy (both mentally and physically) and that you are able to go back to a sense of normality soon.