The Pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have highlighted what truly matters to us most, as well as what really doesn’t. 

Here’s a list of a few things I’m determined to live without, as life begins to return to some sort of normality.

1). A regular hairdresser. 

I used to spend a small fortune every four to six months on a cut and colour. 

Since the most recent lockdown has lifted, I’ve taken to what I call a ‘bloke’s trim,’ where I walk into an empty looking hair salon and ask for a quick dry trim to tidy up the edges.

No procrastinating over what colour highlights to go for, whether to have foils or a Balayage, or whether I should change my style (I used to spend ages thinking about it then go either go for the same style as always or pick something extreme and hate it. The hours of mental energy I used to expend on this!).

There are a few greys appearing here and there, but I’ve decided to grow into them for a while, they’re barely noticeable and I have a tall friend who I trust to let me know when it’s time for me to commence the full-on head coverage, or maybe I’ll just rock my silver streaks, who knows?

2).  Clothes Shopping

Shopping was losing its charm for me way before lockdown, it just took not being able to buy anything to put the final nail in the coffin:  I realised there’s not actually that much stuff I need.

Simplifying my wardrobe has made it easier to get dressed, less choice means less procrastination, and everything is easier to find.

The few items of clothing I have bought since the shops reopened have come from a charity shop (added feel good factor), and also from my sister-in-iaw, who sends things she no longer wears my way (thanks Sis).

It turns out having something second hand is just as satisfying as having a new purchase.

3).  Getting Drunk

I’ve been over this one in my heart for a long time, it just took a while for my brain and body to catch up, but I won’t be returning to regular weekend binge drinking sessions, I’d much rather curl up in front of the fire with a book and a hot chocolate (I’m not sure if my twenty-year old self would look upon this with disdain or admiration).

4).  Food Shopping in Person

I’ve never liked the supermarket.  Pushing an unwieldy trolley full of produce, bathed in the stark and unflattering glow of fluorescent lighting was never enjoyable at the best of times, but throw in one-way systems, social distancing and face masks and it completely lost even the most miniscule molecule of charm.

So now I mostly order my groceries online.  I’m less likely to impulse buy so we waste less food, and it takes a fraction of the time.

5).  Excessive Planning

I used to try to plan and micro-manage everything.

If I was ordering something for the house, like a vacuum cleaner, I would compare every option out there before making a decision.

If I was booking a holiday, I would look at all the hotels before I picked one, then book the best restaurants in the area in advance (also similarly researched).

This way of doing things led to high expectations and, as I discovered in 2020, high expectations can lead to disappointment.

Nowadays, I’m much more likely to go with my gut, or ask someone for a recommendation.  Most of the time it works out fine, it certainly hasn’t worked out any worse than when I used to spend copious amounts of time researching.  I’ve realised that life is just too short, and I’m learning to go with the flow a bit more.

What are you saying goodbye to post lockdown?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

---

If you’d like to follow me on Instagram (if only so you can check how I’m doing in my letting go) then you can click here, or enter your email to subscribe to the blog and be notified of my new posts, I don’t spam.