Lockdown life… Let’s be honest, there were highs and lows.

Sometimes the lows were so low, we wondered if we’d ever see the light at the end of the tunnel. And then again, there were also moment when we thought to ourselves: ‘Actually, maybe all this social distancing is not that bad after all.’

While it all seems like ages ago now – only being allowed out for essential shopping and exercise, being cooped up with whoever you happen to live with, unable to socialise and see friends and family – when you look back, chances are there a few things you secretly miss. Things that made you smile, lifted you up when you were feeling down in the dumps – or something so foreign at the time, it feels completely out of reach now.

Here’s how to keep some of the good things going…

1. A newfound adoration for nature

We weren’t allowed out much in early lockdown, but how those walks in the park and precious escapes to nearby green spaces paid off! The sound of blessed silence – apart from birdsong, whispering trees and pollinating bumble bees – and time to appreciate a new bud in a window box or flowerbeds.

With spring finally here, make the most of longer, lighter days by setting the alarm early and heading for a sunrise walk – or just a stroll before the day cranks to life. The chorus of happy chirping birds and green shoots on the trees will be worth it.

2. Saving money

Even if you wanted to blow the budget during lockdown, doing so wasn’t that easy. Designer dress delivered to the door, you’d be all dressed up with nowhere to go. Fine-dining food deliveries had their moment, but there was nothing like a home-made meal with the novelty of having the time to swot over a recipe for hours. Travel expenses dropped to zero (instead of all those zeros on the end, as is usually the case). Now life’s going ‘back to normal’, your bank balance might be longing for some enforced cut-backs again.

Think cheap. There’s nothing wrong with passing on that Zara payday treat; after all, your wardrobe’s been moth-balled for two years and everything feels new again. Take the time to cook a Sunday roast instead of heading to the pub; walk or cycle to work if you can. Book train travel ahead to save money, and check out car-sharing schemes.

3. No FOMO 

During lockdown, FOMO (fear of missing out) wasn’t really an issue. You didn’t have to say yes to anything and everything that was going on, because nothing was happening. No taxi-ing the kids to all their clubs, play dates and socials. Or saying yes to that Monday pub quiz night, just in case ‘someone’ might be there or you’ll miss the goss.

FOMO can make us anxious, or zap us of precious downtime because we never factor it in. Be brave and learn to say no for a change, or get better at only saying yes to the things you genuinely want to do. Re-evaluate your kids’ social habits and work out which ones they really need and want to be doing. Likewise, think about the friends you can’t wait to see, make time for your best mate and drop the ‘frenemies’.

4. Working from home

Whether it was the spare room or kitchen table doubling up as your lockdown office, there’s no doubt the shortest journey ever to your ‘desk’ had its rewards. Yes, it was a mess with all those unsightly cables, your internet provider letting you down, and video calls that left you feeling cut off from the world. But you got used to it and learned to love lunches at home, or taking the time to chat to the postman.

Time to spruce up the spare room or reassess your entertaining space. Switch out the desk for a stylish accent chair, spring clean the kitchen for summer socials and turn back the clock on what used to make the room tick, with an empowered refresh.

5. Skipping the makeup and salon visits

Remember when you wouldn’t be seen dead without your mascara on, let alone roots showing, or a bad hair day? And then the world changed. During lockdown, makeup was no longer a thing, at-home colouring kits were in, and even the odd DIY cutting disaster was forgiven.

So, as much as you might love relaxing back into the hairdresser’s chair, the touch of those shiny scissors against the nape of your neck, the smell of bleach in someone else’s hands and a professional wash and blow-dry, you can still reclaim an au natural beauty regime – within reason!

Mark days in the diary for stress-free, simple coverage, perhaps colour your own hair every other trip to the salon (another big save) and reclaim the confidence of going bare-faced when you dial-down the outfits – and remember how you used to steal back time for other interests, such as reading, learning a new skill or reaching for the yoga mat.