beeing thoughtful - in lockdown

Life in lockdown means I'm trying to live more in the moment, being more mindful. Just taking one day at a time & not looking too far ahead. There's way too much uncertainty for my liking. I guess I'm realising that all I actually NEED - is right here, within these four walls, my head & my heart. Memories to me, are amazing & can be so powerful & comforting, especially when you recreate them in full colour in your mind. Note: That's NEED by the way, not to be confused with what I actually WANT! Bring on: a Scotland road trip, a decent gig, a big family reunion, cocktails with the gals & a takeaway at Bean's place with the Wee Wildlings. Rock n roll I know! Well I am pushing 40 now.

Right, what was I saying? Beeing mindful & thoughtful. Ok, so my best mate's mum - Mrs C, had this cross stitch quote, hanging on their kitchen wall when we were kids. I used to look at it every time I was exploring their vast & rather impressive breakfast cereal collection. It said "Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, Or do without" And it stuck in my mind...as you can see, 30 plus years later! But what if we actually all did that. Used up everything we own. Eat up everything in our cupboards & freezers before we buy more. Wear our clothes until they're falling apart, are full of holes, or stitch them up & make do with them. Or, just do without new clothes?

As the sun shines more, I've reorganised my wardrobe, properly for once. Away with the woolly jumpers and out with the shorts & vest tops. I’d usually buy random new Summer additions, usually from Asda, Sainsbury's or Debenhams. You know: maxi dresses, tops, sandals, without considering if I actually need any of them. I guess, sorting through my entire wardrobe, with most clothes shops shut, I’ve discovered I can actually make do. I can wear last year’s stuff & I don’t actually NEED anything new, if I'm honest.

What next? Bedroom cupboards. Before buying loads of sun-cream, like I do usually, I’ve actually looked at what we have left from last year, and there's loads! Along with a box full of random toiletries, that haven’t seen the light of day since we moved house 5 years ago. I’m putting stuff to good use already: leave in hair conditioner, nail varnish remover, cotton wool balls, root touch up sprays, bottles of moisturiser galore - Yay for hint of fake tan Garnier, my legs are always whiter than white come Spring!

To the kitchen. Having sorted and reorganised every cupboard, they were a tip! I’ve found herbs and spices that aren’t even opened, some brilliant curry marinades from Christmas, that are amazing and even come with recipes (cheers Lizzie & Graham). A couple of chutney’s that The Highlander will love and even Gin & Tonic marmalade, who knew! We’re using it all up as we speak. I had masses of flour already, that now I’m really thankful for, as it's nowhere to be found in the supermarkets. The Wee Wildling and I often bake cupcakes, but with so much time together at home, we’ve branched out: shortbread, scones, chocolate cake, choc chip cookies, banana bread, flatbreads. We’ve shared them with our elderly neighbours, who are currently isolating, along with homemade soups that I’ve made to use up leftover, nearly gone off veggies. Leek & Potato, Mixed Veg, Carrot & Parsnip. Yum! And bonus points for me. I'm hopeless when it comes to meal planning. It's a long standing joke in our house, that any food that we miss the "Use By" date on, is literally ready to walk to the bin itself, by the time I get round to chucking it out. Disgusting & wasteful, I know, I know. I'm onto it!

The days are much slower paced and seem way longer, although it is Spring I guess. This means more time for thinking. Not only about the needs of the Clan within our four walls, but about our neighbours, our family in Scotland with no internet / local shopping delivery service. Friends that we've just lost touch with, in the chaos of "normal life". Lockdown is giving us an opportunity To slow down, to think of ourselves & others more. Paint your nails. Do a face mask. Sort those cupboards. Make that phone call. Catch up with that old friend. Let the Wee Wildlings send pictures, memory books, DVD's that you've made of WhatsApp video clips (to family members who don't have smart phones) & random all sorts to friends & family in the post.

No matter who we are, or what our story is, we are all in the same storm right now. Not the same boat, but definitely the same storm. Material wealth has become irrelevant. You can't go shopping for designer clothes. You can't jump on a plane to sunny Spain. Maybe we should think instead about what matters right now, and that to me, is family & our mental health & wellbeing.....