Coronavirus Lockdown: Day One

I started writing this blog almost seven years ago. In the early days, I wrote a short daily post about what I was doing and what I was wearing. It was, in the truest sense, a blog. Since then,  every aspect of my life has changed and my blog reflects this evolution. It documents the changes in my personal life, my career and my family. It documents the superficial changes too: my hair, my make-up, my wardrobe.

It’s day two of the UK Coronavirus lockdown which was imposed less than 48 hours ago. I won’t be working in practice, (apart from being on-call tomorrow for emergency and urgent cases), until things return to normal. Poppy is home from university, Harry is off school and Ian is working here from our home office. It’s suddenly become a very full house and that in itself will require each of us to adapt. We’re all still incredulous about the seriousness of this most unprecedented situation. Corvid-19 will dominate our lives for a considerable time.

I should have been flying to America today for an amazing work opportunity  I was looking forward to seeing somewhere new and to sharing the experience here on my blog and on Instagram. I bought clothes, shoes and accessories for the trip. None of us will be going out or socialising so I probably won’t wear them until we go on holiday. If we go on holiday.

Writing is what I love, so I’m going to make the use of the additional time at home and try to write a blog post every day, just like I did in the early days. This will give my day some some structure and, more importantly, it will document this rather crazy period we’re living through. I won’t be wearing any new exciting outfits, nor will I be straightening my hair like I do on work days. (I want to look after my hair as much as I can, because I won’t be able to go for my usual six-weekly cut).  Some days I’ll wear cosy leisurewear, others, I’ll wear jeans and a casual top. If the weather warms up, I may even wear a dress. Either way, it will be real. It will be my experience of Coronavirus lockdown.

Yesterday, 24th March 2020 was the first full day after Boris Johnson imposed a lockdown. It was also Poppy’s 19th birthday. She had a big party for her 18th birthday so this year was always going to be quieter. We didn’t realise just how quiet. Ordinarily she’d have a big family celebration and another with friends. This time, it was just the four of us. I did a big spring clean during the day, tidied out the food cupboard and fridge so I could see exactly what we had, and I baked her a chocolate cake. I think this birthday will be just as memorable as her 18th.

Notes

Striped pompom top: Boden 2019.
Polka dot cake stand: Emma Bridgewater, several years old.