By Matt Rogan
As lockdown conditions begin to ease across the globe, it’s natural to anticipate what is going to happen next. Social distancing has become a permanent part of our life for the last ten weeks, and perhaps for the foreseeable future. Living through this crisis has undoubtedly changed humanity in more ways than one.
Though we’ve been isolated, we’ve all been dealing with this shared struggle and we’ve all learnt something about ourselves. In keeping with KeiSei’s forward-thinking ethos, we’ve asked our Editors to come together and share how we’ve been feeling with the prospect of life after lockdown.
Camila on encouraging self-confidence
‘The first thing I want to do is hug my friends and meet up with the boys I’ve been talking to from Tinder. Normally, due to my anxiety, I would cancel on a lot of social events and be too fearful but I think this lockdown has given me a new burst of life. I’ve vowed to myself to say yes to more opportunities and not second guess or overthink them.’
Raquel on the joys of simplicity
‘Surprisingly enough, the things I’ve missed the most are the most ordinary. Going for a walk to grab some coffee, having lunch with friends, sitting down at a cafe whilst reading a book, are just a few of the activities I have missed. Lockdown has definitely showed us that we can’t take anything for granted. We’ve learned to appreciate the smaller things whilst spending time with just ourselves.’
Daisy on tackling self-criticism
‘Whilst being in lockdown, I’ve realised the importance of not comparing your own successes to others. I graduated last year and found myself constantly comparing myself to other recent graduates. Lockdown has made me realise that it is okay to not be in the same position as some people my age. We should be focusing on doing what we love and not worrying that we aren’t doing more. Every success is a cause for celebration, no matter how small we may think it is.’
Heleayner on appreciating physical contact
‘I think the thing that I have missed the most is being able to meet up with my best friends whenever I wanted to. Physical social contact is so important for our mental health and overall wellbeing, so having that stripped away from us for months was heart breaking. Thank goodness for Skype and Facetime.’
Matt on inspiring creativity
‘Working full-time can have a strain on your creative outlets. Nowadays, a craft is often seen as a business opportunity rather than a fun hobby. Lockdown has allowed me to revisit some of my past-times without the pressure of perfection. Whether it was through blogs or poetry, I’ve been able to create from a place of want rather than need.’
Mélinda on the importance of self-education
‘In France the end of lockdown took place on the 11th of May. Being at home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for almost 3 months gave me a lot of time to educate myself on what is happening in China for the Uighur people. Before, I was concerned about the world but I wasn't doing anything concrete to change what I stand for. Learning about the oppressive treatment of Uyghurs has made me a more aware citizen of the world.’
Bea on embracing less stress
‘There has been a lot of time to fill and I've got a lot better at not worrying about how I spend it. I’ve allowed myself some time to take a step back and allow the hours to slip away. (I've also made possibly the best cookies I've ever eaten. Truly life changing).’
Serina on implementing routine
‘Being in lockdown has helped me structure my time – even if do miss the spontaneity of my old life. As I’ve got more time in the morning, I've been able to curate a routine that really grounds me. Before, I didn’t have the time to experiment with yoga and meditation, but now they’ve become a daily must.’
For such a turbulent time, it is perhaps unsurprising that a return to normality is what we desire most. Whatever ‘normality’ means in a post-pandemic world, we are yet to find out; but as we’re coming to realise, the next instalment of ‘The New Normal’ is just around the corner.
How are you feeling about this next chapter?
Matt Rogan
Matt is an English Literature graduate from the University of Leeds. In a playful yet provocative tone, he writes with particular attention towards LGBTQ+ issues, pop culture and modern living.
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