Diary of an Isolated Director - Lockdown v2.0

Here we go again.

This week we closed the office (again) after the Governments announcement on Tuesday. And while this version of "lockdown" is different (I mean the school is still open - at the time of writing), the only experience I have of lockdown is that of April through to July. It was a dark time. And that is the muscle memory that I am experiencing.

Please note that this article is NOT a pity me post. But after seeing those that are loving being able to work from home, I wanted to give a counter view from someone that really really really REALLY doesn't love it. 

I am going to cling onto the positives of this one. I will not even mention the fact that we have just paid for a COVID assessment, nor the rent as well as rates we are paying for an office that we may not be back in until 2021. Nope, I am going to bring some light to this [insert your own description of WTF is going on here].

The blessings of Lockdown v2.0

1.The schools are still open. 

It is that important I have mentioned it again. The mental health of my son is better since September came around and we get on more now we are not living in each other's worlds 24/7.

2.Support bubbles. 

I haven't heard these have changed. So I can go and work with Polly (whom I formed a bubble early doors - and have seen for a coffee today). I can also see my family - something that made the last one really bleak.

3.The gym is still open.

While that may sound vain, the gym is my sanctuary and supports my mental health. I had spoken about this before in the press, especially about how it helped with me with grief. It keeps me healthy mentally, as well as physically. I am just hoping that the competition I have signed up to will still be going ahead. The focus on something just for me is very much needed.

4.Lunches. 

These can be more exciting than my Tupperware concoctions, and there is an abundance for forks.

5.Audio books and podcasts.

I started to listen to more books and podcasts during LDv1. This was because I was afforded some time on my own as the boy's dad and I did 50/50 for the most part.

When schools returned, it meant we were back to me having our son most of the time (at the moment) and so those 1 or 2 days where I could get lost in a podcast series or book are less frequent. I miss being able to do this. So working from home while our son is at school will allow me to nourish my brain and soul. Some of my favourite podcasts are:

• Brene Brown - Unlocking Us
• Nova Reid - Conversations With Nova Ried
• The Last Podcast on the Left 
• Kathryn Ryan - Telling Everybody Everything
• Gossip Mongers 
• Friday Night Comedy
• Evil Genius

I hope whatever your views are of C**** that you are keeping safe and being kind to yourself as well as others. Any podcast recommendations I need to know about? Let me know below.

Now, what to do for a Christmas party!?