8 Things I Plan To Do When Self Isolation Is Over

I'm currently watching Gavin & Stacey, it's the episode where they have the curry night at Pam and Mick's house. It's safe to say that when this pandemic is over, we shall all party like the Shipman's did that night. We shall dance, get pissed, have fun with our families and celebrate by ordering a chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema rice and nine poppadoms. 




At this moment in time, cabin fever is really beginning to kick in. I'm struggling to get motivated to do anything, I've become lazy, I'm sleeping a hell of a lot more than I usually do and I just (like everybody else) can't see a light at the end of the tunnel. However, it does feel a little comforting to know that I'm not the only person in this position. We're all staying at home, crawling up the walls and finding something and anything to do to keep ourselves occupied. Whether it be re-grouting the tiles in the bathroom or organising photo's into photo albums.

The Things I Plan To Do When All This Is Over

Even though things seem so uncertain right now, I can't help but imagine the joy, elation and relief we'll all feel when things get back to normal. The feeling of being able to go outside freely without worrying about catching a virus, being able to shop normally in Tesco (or preferred supermarket) again and just being able to hug your family. But in order for us to get these royalties back - WE MUST STAY HOME AND FOLLOW THE RULES.




Maybe it is too soon to start thinking about what I'm going to do when the curfew is lifted. Put it this way, I will NEVER take for granted being able to outside freely ever again. It's like bras. I appreciate bras everyday because whenever I have been on IV antibiotics, I am unable to wear a bra due to the position of my portacath. A long story which I'll explain another day.




Anyway, I have come up with some things I would love to do once I'm freed from my house! They are -

1) SEE  MY  FAMILY  &  FRIENDS

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The day I'll be able to hug my family and friends again will be an euphoric and emotional one. I haven't seen my family since my Grandad's funeral a few weeks back, a sad day all round. After that day, we should have been grieving together, not be kept apart. My friends I miss terribly too. One of my best friends is due to give birth during my isolation. I'm gutted I won't be able to see her baby for a few months. I cannot wait for the Costa catch up's and Toby Carvery breakfasts I'll be attending to talk about our lockdown stories. 

The Things I Plan To Do When All This Is Over

2) GO  FOR  A  LONG  WALK

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Ok, I know the government say that we can venture outside once a day for exercise. However, due to me being high risk for the virus because of CF, I have to really limit my outdoor activity. The furthest I can go is my back garden. That'll get boring after a week or two. There's only so many things you can say to pigeons and magpies. I look forward to the day I can walk in the park, even just walk to the corner shop. Like I said earlier, I will never take going outside for granted ever again. It should be looked at as a privilege from now on.

3) GO  TO  THE  PUB

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Oh god how much am I looking forward to going to the pub?! I'm looking forward to going to the bar and ordering a vodka and cranberry juice and (hopefully) sit outside in the beer garden and bask in the rays. I can only imagine how busy the pubs will be after the lockdown is finished!

4) TRAVEL

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The day I will be able to hop on a train to Liverpool will be an ecstatic one. I've already had to cancel a trip to Liverpool due to me having to self isolate (devastated is an understatement). I've rebooked it for October, praying to God that all this will be over by then!

5) GO  TO  THE  GYM

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I never actually thought I would miss going to the gym as much as I have done. Before the pandemic, the majority of my week I would exercise at home. But going to the gym broke up the week a bit and it made the week flow a little better. When I can go back out again, a visit to the gym is definitely needed and I look forward to getting on the recumbent bike and doing a 10k cycle!

6)  GOING  TO  THE  SUPERMARKET

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The thought of going to do a NORMAL weekly shop without being barged out of the way by panic buyers and worrying about not getting a food delivery slot will be the highlight of this year for everybody. No more panic buying toilet rolls, baked beans, pasta, rice, sugar, flour...

Ok, I could go on and on. But the feeling of being able to shop in the way that society has taught us to will be quite a freeing and uplifting experience. I'm sure the shop workers will look forward to it too.

The Things I Plan To Do When All This Is Over

7) THANK  THE  NHS

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Before all of this, I have always been eternally grateful for the NHS anyway. I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the excellent care and nurturing I have received from them since the very day I was born. From the nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, radiographers, cleaners and even the canteen lady who brings me food when I'm an inpatient, they are all such incredible and should rightly be labelled as heroes. After this is all over, we all owe indebted gratitude for the way they have looked after us. The night we clapped for them outside our houses on that Thursday night should happen every week. They've been there for us every week before this pandemic. 

8) HAVE  MY  HAIR  &  NAILS DONE
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I think I made one of the best decisions of my life to have my hair cut just before isolation was announced. I had so much cut off and by the time I will (hopefully) be able to leave the house freely, my hair will need to be chopped again. I can't wait for it already! I love having my nails done, however, because my nails are quite weak, I don't have them done all that often. However, I think after all this is over, I think I deserve a treat, as do you all!

There are other things that I'm looking forward to do, but these are the main ones that fill me with the most excitement. 

What things are you looking forward to doing when the pandemic disappears?

Lucy