As we take a deep breath and launch into Week 8 of lockdown, we could all do with a reminder that this is not wasted time.

I don’t know about you but I have spent many of my days in isolation feeling spectacularly unproductive. Any attempt to do work has been promptly interrupted by outbursts of sibling conflict (no matter how sweetly they were playing when I quietly opened my laptop). The creative projects that have been on my to do list forever are still unchecked. Even getting dressed seems like hard work when you know nobody is going to see you.

Any of this sound familiar?

The days and weeks might be blurring into one, mundane survival-exercise, but you’re not wasting your time. In fact, just taking that deep breath and facing the challenges of the day is growing your character and skill set in ways that will benefit every area of your life after lockdown. Here’s our list of 5 skills you are developing during lockdown without even realising it.

1. Resilience

You’re learning how to cope with a crisis. Every. Day. Some days you might cope better than others, sure. But as you go, you are developing strategies to keep you going and equip you to bounce back. Resilience takes time and practice to build. What better way to grow your resilience than day in, day out, having no choice but to find a way and keep going. If it doesn’t work and today is a write off . . . you’ve got tomorrow to try again!

Give it a go: Keep a resilience diary of the challenges you have faced during lockdown and how you are overcoming them. For example, I’ve struggled with uncertainty and lack of control. Some of the ways I’m practising resilience is to pray every day and surrender control to my Creator. I have researched time management and learnt some new skills to feel more in control of my time and spend it more wisely. Bonus, you can give yourself resilience points every time you practice and reward your hard work!

5-ways-you're-not-wasting-your-time-in-lockdown

2. Resourcefulness

Working with what you’ve got has become the rhythm of quarantine. When you can’t just pop to the shop for more supplies, you have to be far more imaginative with your resources. The ability to make less go further and demonstrating you are capable of getting the job done, whether that’s cooking dinner for the kids with what’s on the shelves or a work from home project with dodgy wifi, is a valuable skill to be honing. We are all being more resourceful without even thinking about it. What inventive solutions have you come up with during lockdown?

Give it a go: Let’s keep the positive change going. Which resourceful quarantine hacks or habits are here to stay? Personally, I want to continue being more intentional with my grocery shopping. I love that I’m wasting less and cooking more creatively!

3. Team Work

The last 7 weeks have been one enormous team effort. Maybe there have been days you haven’t got out of bed or hundreds of unproductive hours spent sat in your home office, struggling to concentrate. You aren’t wasting time in lockdown, you are playing your role in Team UK vs. Coronavirus. Lockdown doesn’t work without us all working together. Just by following the Government guidelines and staying home, you are showing off some top notch team work skills. And that doesn’t even include all the team work it’s taken to choreograph your entire family in an epic Tik Tok video . . .

Give it a go: Take on a fun team challenge this week that isn’t Coronavirus related. Build a blanket fort, host a Zoom quiz, bake a cake together or tackle a DIY project. Give yourself a pat on the back for staying home, team mate!

Lockdown doesn't work without us all working together.

4. Creativity

One of the best things to have come out of lockdown is the surge in creativity that has flooded social media. It’s amazing what you can come up with, given a little time and lack of entertainment. While not everyone will have had the head space (or actual personal space, can someone PLEASE explain this concept to my children) to learn a new language or paint the Mona Lisa, I guarantee you have been curating your creativity in one form or other. I’ve tried a few new recipes, written a blog post (it may have taken 8 weeks but it still counts) and am planning a social distancing birthday for my nearly nine year old. What’s been getting your creative juices flowing?

Give it a go: Come up with a creative way to thank the key workers in our team, who have been on the front lines while we are safe (albeit fed up) at home. We’ve drawn with chalk on the outside of our house to say thanks. Could you create rainbow art for your window, write a poem/song or send flowers to key workers you know?

5. Grit

You are pushing through each week with sheer grit and determination. It’s been difficult, stressful and even painful at times. But you have kept going. While resilience is about adaptability and finding strategies to overcome challenges, grit is exactly what it says on the tin. Gritting your teeth and getting on with it. Every day you show up takes courage and endurance. Keep going, mighty warrior.

Give it a go: Make this verse a powerful affirmation over your day. Declare this truth each morning and decide to pursue strength and courage, whatever today throws at you.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

Grow through what you go through

It’s time to put to rest the worry that you are wasting time in lockdown. Lay down the guilt of not doing enough and claim the truth that you are growing in skill, strength and character every day.

When we reach a point where Coronavirus is behind us, we’ll be able to update our lockdown resume with:

Resilience
Resourcefulness
Team Work
Creativity
Grit

You don’t have to be doing it all to be productive. Celebrate the little wins of each day and speak kindly to yourself, as you navigate another day’s challenges. You can grow through what you go through. Sometimes all you need is a change in perspective.