2020 tested us all, and 2021 will continue to test us in new ways. But if we can survive 2020 at home, working, and with small people, then we can survive anything, right? At least we have experience and resilience on our side this year.
If we can survive 2020…we can survive anything, right?
Natalie
Whilst this year may not be the year to make resolutions (the ‘new year, new us’ mantra doesn’t seem quite right) we can go into the new year setting intentions for ourselves. We can choose to enter 2021 with a ‘can-do’ mindset. And I don’t mean an ‘I can do everything’ mindset, more ‘I can get through this’ mindset.
One big thing we need to remember as mamas is self-care. We are no good to anyone if we don’t look after ourselves and give ourselves some alone time when we can get it! For me that’s started with fitting in a run 3 times a week following the couch to 5k programme. Despite running an activewear business, I’ve not been as physically active as I would like to be these past few months. Running Latched, having two children under three and little child-care support means something had to give for a while. But I have to intentionally remember I love feeling fit and for me to be the kind of mum I want to be, means I have to factor in time for me. Time away from the house, the children, and all my commitments!
With all that in mind, I want to share my top tips for surviving another lockdown, in the hopes it will inspire you and motivate me to keep going too!
5 tips for surviving another lockdown
Here are my tips for surviving (and hopefully thriving) another lockdown. Let’s go!
1 – Daily alone time
I think what most of us realised in 2020 is how much we value alone time. Time to think, time to rest, time to re-engerise ourselves. This really is essential for our mental and physical well-being. So whether it means you get up in the morning before the kids and enjoy a coffee on your own, or wait until the kids are in bed, ignore the mess on the floor and chill out on the sofa. You need to allow yourself alone time EVERYDAY. And never feel guilty about it! I know this may be really difficult if you have very young children or if you’re a single parent or solo parenting, but try and at least do something every day that’s just for you and which brings a smile to your face.
2- Move your body
I’m not saying you have to exercise and break a sweat, I’m just saying move your body more than just running up and down the stairs each day. Your body deserves more than that. So get out for a walk, dance with the kids in the kitchen, or follow a yoga video online. Moving actually energises you. And if you feel ready to start following an exercise routine, then this is a great excuse to treat yourself to new sportswear. Never underestimate the power of some well-fitting activewear, specifically designed for the pregnant and post-natal body. I love it when my customers send me photos and videos of them working out in their Latched activewear – it gives me such a buzz and has the added benefit of making me get up and do a bit of exercise before I sit down and pack up more orders!
Never underestimate the power of some well-fitting activewear, specifically designed for the pregnant and post-natal body.
Natalie
3 – Lower your expectations
This is one I’ve had to learn the hard way. Last year I was so focused on being everything to everyone, and still feeling like I’d failed at the end of the day! I put too much pressure on myself to over-achieve. This year I’m lowering my expectations, and so should you! You don’t need to have the house clean and tidy, (I mean, who’s going to be visiting anyway?!) or be the best home-schooler, or make nutritious meals. Some days you just need to get through the day doing the bare minimum. And that’s ok! I’ve had to learn that not everything goes to plan and whilst I may want to get loads ticked off the to-do list, often my kids have other ideas on how to keep me busy!
4 – Get some well-fitting leggings
I think we all learned to embrace the comfort and flexibility of leggings in 2020. So if you’re going to treat yourself to one thing this year, then make it a pair of well-fitting leggings that make you feel good! Not those old, loose, saggy leggings that make you feel frumpy! When I first started to think about the kind of products I wanted to design for other new mothers like me, first on the list was a really good breastfeeding sports bra, and next was a really great pair of leggings that could be worn through pregnancy and post-partum life. Two kids later and I still live in my Latched leggings!
If you’re going to treat yourself to one thing this year, then make it a pair of well-fitting leggings that make you feel good!
Natalie
5 – Remember, caffeine is your friend!
I think 2020 was the year our love for caffeinated products was cemented. Suddenly we were all buying coffee machines and having products delivered in bulk to the house. We all badly missed ‘going out for a coffee’ so we started becoming our own barista. As a non-coffee drinker I found Matcha and it rocked my world. In general, a cup of matcha will contain less caffeine than a cup of coffee. It gives me a caffeine hit, but not the caffeine crash! So, remember, if all else fails, and you aren’t able to follow numbers 1-4, caffeine is your friend and solves (almost) all problems.
