So I am now on furlough for three weeks as a result of the ongoing pandemic. I am very fortunate to still have a job to go back to and to know that my current time on furlough will come to an end in three weeks.
I thought I’d document what I get up to over these three weeks for a few reasons. Firstly, so I can look back and see all of the things I wanted to do, and yet probably didn’t because what else are to-do lists for apart from to completely disregard? Secondly, to share some ideas of how you can spend the time if you’re also on furlough or don’t have much to do at the minute. And lastly, as I want to add a new section to my blog where you can really get to know me and what I’m doing through my graduate life.
My official start of being on the furlough scheme was Thursday 9th April, so I will post these weekly on a Friday to share what I’ve done in that last week and how I’m feeling.
Blogging
In terms of what I’ve been up to with my blog, I’ve been putting a lot of my free time into learning new skills to improve my engagement. I’ve been using Pinterest properly for the first time and have been interacting a lot more with my followers which has been really nice.
I reached 1,000 followers on my Instagram page this week and have received a lot of positive feedback about my blog. I absolutely love hearing from other graduates and friends that my writing has helped them through difficult times, it makes me feel like I’m not just rambling away to myself.
Reading
I’ve just finished Normal People by Sally Rooney which I really enjoyed. I’ve heard mixed reviews about this book but I thought it was really well written and became invested in the story almost straight away. I never wanted to stop reading about Marianne and Connell’s lives.
On this week’s reading list is The Lido by Libby Page as part of a book club that I’m in (and hey it is not bad to be part of a book club as a 21 year old!). I’m really enjoying it so far and hope to finish it over the weekend.
Self-Development
Before being furloughed I started an InDesign course so I can start doing more creative jobs at work, but also because I always want to be learning something new and design has been on my list for a while.
I’ve used the Udemy InDesign Essentials Training Course and it’s been so detailed and informative! Hopefully I can finish it in the next week or so.
I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself during this time, but I am someone that always has to keep as busy as possible to avoid a slip in my mental health. I’m not someone that can just do nothing for even one full day, or else I find myself overthinking things and feeling very weird about life.
I’m trying to keep up with learning German and working on my blog gives me a lot to do, so I’m just trying to spend my days keeping my streak going on Duolingo and providing useful and meaningful content to other graduates.
Self-Care and Health
The weather has been so lovely, so I’ve been able to enjoy my garden and relax a bit in the sun.
I’ve used my ‘daily exercise’ (won’t ever get used to saying that) for taking my dog for a walk, going out on my bike and the occasional run.
To best take care of my mental health, I’ve just slowed down from the typical pace I live my life. I’ve always coasted along at about 100 miles an hour, thinking that I was handling everything okay and that I’d be able to do that forever. Now that I’ve been forced to take a step back from everything, I can see how damaging that fast, ‘always wanting more’ lifestyle would be.
My honest thoughts
I think I’m okay, although I can honestly say I’m just trying to avoid thinking about things too much. I am taking it all day by day, because if I think too far in the future I do get scared by how things go back to ‘normal’. At what point am I going to want to get back on a train to London to find a new flat to rent? That will definitely take a while.
So there you have it, my first personal post on this blog and my first week on furlough. Have you been put on furlough or have found yourself with a lot of spare time as a result of lockdown? I’d love to hear what you’ve been getting up to in the comments!
I finished a christmas temporary role at the end of the last year. Thinking no problem I will find a job in a couple of months…then corona took over haha!! I seriously was worried about how long I would be unemployed…I really didn’t want to spend most of the year with no income. I literally just got offered a position today! Love that you are doing courses and learning a language – that’s how I’ve been keeping myself busy also. i think it’s important to let yourself rest but also do things that keep your brain active.
Hayley || hayleyxmartin
Ah that must have been hard not knowing what would happen with your employment! That’s great news that you’ve been offered a job – well done ☺️ thank you, yes definitely! Xx
Thats good that you have your job to go back to after all this. And a book club is a very good idea.
Thank you ☺️
It sounds like you have thought of quite a few productive things to keep you busy. Hopefully you will come out of this with some great insight and new skills. I love Duolingo as well so it’s awesome that you are working on your German. Stay safe!
Thank you ☺️ yes I hope so! You too xx
I also cannot work for now during the current climate and it is hard not having a routine but I’m starting to get use to it now. I’ve been spending a lot of time on my blog which I love x
It’s good that you’re settling into it a lot more. Yes me too, it’s good to have this to work on☺️
It’s good that you’re able to open up about your personal life a bit more. I welcome more of these posts 🙂 Learning new things, sharing with others and realising what we still have is important in getting through this tough time.
Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures
https://johnnystraventures.com
Thanks Johnny, I’m glad you enjoyed reading it ☺️ yes I totally agree!
I love that you are slowing down and relaxing with a good book, no matter how mixed the reviews are.
I have been cleaning. Yes, I cleaned the shed and the house. This time round I seemed to hate cobwebs!
I have a French course I have been trying to concentrate on so, aside from writing, I want to finally listen to and learn from that. 🙂
Thank you ☺️ that sounds great, it’s always good to clean! Good luck with the French ☺️
I’m lucky enough to be getting Furlough too. I always enjoy reading posts where you get to know you better – personal posts are always more fun to read! I really enjoyed this <3
Ah thank you very much, that’s great to hear ☺️
Day by day is such an important way of approaching i but it sounds like you’re managing to fill your time really well at the moment. If you have any tips for managing to slow down, I’d love to hear them because I’m really struggling with that right now. Lovely post!
Thank you very much! I will see what I can do ☺️
I am happy you are keeping positive and that you have achieved some productive things! I love blogging atm and yesterday cleaned and got rid of a bunch of things. Personal posts are so enjoyable to read and it is nice to see others going through similar things xx
Em x
https://loveemblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/new-lotus-biscoff-biscoff-creams-review.html
Although I am still working it is very slow and I feel anxiety about staying productive in order to get through this COVID19 situation healthily. I have also been taking a Udemy course and doing some extra reading, as well as working more on paintings and trying to keep an exercise plan going. I am figuring out too how to keep 10 my year old in a good frame of mind and learning. Thanks for your update–it’s helpful to hear about what others are doing and congrats on getting 1000 IG followers!
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling anxious. It sounds like you’ve been doing well to do all of those things. Thank you so much! I’m glad you found it helpful ☺️ take care xx
I can only imagine how hard it must at the moment, not knowing when you’ll be going back to work or when this is over, but I’m glad you’re keeping busy and staying positive. I’m still working (as I’m a care assistant) so my life hasn’t really changed much which I’m really grateful for right now to be honest. My partner is a key worker too so we’re really living much the same oddly.
Kate | thelittlecrunch.co.uk
Thank you very much. Yes I expect it is quite odd when the whole world is said to be ‘changing’ but for many people it’s still the same! Take care 🙂 xx
It sounds like we have been doing a lot of the same thing. I have been trying to work on my blog more and read and exercise and do more self care. I know I won’t ever get this much time off again so I am trying to take advantage of it!
It sounds like you’re getting on well being furloughed! You’re doing everything you should be doing to keep mentally and physically healthy – I think anyway! I’ve been doing a lot of reading but I definitely need to start utilizing that hour outside! You’re right, it is a really weird thing to say xxx
Thank you – yes it’s not going too badly! Reading is a great thing to be doing 😀 it really is! Xxx
Congratulations on 1000 followers!
I’m furloughed at the moment too, and I agree, thinking about it too much just causes too much anxiety and panic around the whole thing, so I’m trying not to and so far I’m okay. Glad to hear you’re doing well!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Thank you very much! I’m glad you’re doing okay so far, take care!