Why 1 Whole Year In Lockdown Has Changed Me For The Better

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Yes, you read that right, It has been over one WHOLE year since the first lockdown began- It’s been a wild ride hasn’t it? But the end is so near and I can’t wait to get out and live a somewhat normal life again.

In the duration of the last year there have been many ups and downs, but I have learnt so much along the way. From new skills to learning how to change my mindset, I am a completely different person and I am very grateful that I have had this time to get my s**t together (kind of)!

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As someone who was considered high risk, I had regretfully been spending a lot of time indoors. Because of this, I had a bit of extra time on my hands and used it to better my life. I’ve learn’t a lot of new things about me personally and life in general- I am coming out of this as a whole different person!

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I believe I have undergone a year long glow up, and yet, the process is still ongoing. So these are the things I feel have changed drastically during lockdown and thus, changed me and made me a much better Shayla!

My Morning Routine

I have never been a morning person, in fact, I’d probably describe myself as an insomniac. But since having Maya, getting up early in the morning is something I am now used to, it was made part of my routine by force!

I have realised that there are not nearly enough hours in a day to do the things I want to do. I have mentioned before in previous blog posts that I am someone who likes to take on a LOT, maybe a lil too much. I have so many hobbies and interests that my schedule is always jam packed; so in the past year, I have started to wake up before Maya does so I have the time to do things like:

• Japanese language study
• working out
• blogging
• journalling
• just having some me-time

I have also a much more established morning routine these days and quite a few things have changed since my last ‘A day In The Life Of a Young Mum‘ post. Some things in my morning routine that have certainly changed my life since the beginning of lockdown are:

• Hot Lemon Water – I now understand why some people swear by this stuff, literally one glass in the morning will start my body right up!
• Coffee– I regularly follow my lemon water up with a glass of coffee. If you read my 5 supplements for weight loss post back in early 2020, I mentioned that I take pre-workout. It is something that I still take occasionally but nowadays, a cup of coffee will provide me with more than enough energy to get through my workout. I’ll put this down to getting more sleep!
• Eating Breakfast– I was always certain that eating breakfast would cause me to gain unnecessary weight, but who knew that NOT eating breakfast would cause me to gain unnecessary weight! Crazy!!
• Working Out– My mornings are completely dull without a workout to get me going.

My Fitness Journey

And with the previous point, let’s delve deeper into my fitness journey!
I started my fitness journey a while ago but really got into it during the beginning of lockdown. Even though I was barely effected by the lockdown restrictions in terms of going to the gym (motherhood eh), I was very much inspired by everyone I saw running and exercising in the park! They were definitely the ones who motivated me and made me realise that I could do anything I put my mind to.
This is probably the point when I discovered the queen herself, Chloe Ting!

I had tried many Chloe Ting challenges in both 2020 and leading up to 2021 and I am immensely grateful for her videos. I truly believe that without her, I wouldn’t have the confidence that I have today! So Chloe, if you’re reading this, thank you!!

Since the first challenge I completed, I started to really enjoy working out, I started to enjoy the hormone release and how it made my body feel. It is so incredibly rewarding when you get through a tough workout, am I right!?

I have been on my fitness journey for what feels like forever now, but I have never enjoyed it as much as I am enjoying it now. I made several lifestyle changes and working out is now part of who I am- and I love it, so so much!

How To Do My Hair

I don’t trust anyone with my hair, not even my own mother- am I crazy?
During these lockdowns, I had taken the time to experiment with different hairstyles and techniques. I told myself I would try various protective styles until my hair grew past my shoulders again…but now, I can’t even imagine myself living without my braids.

As I am someone who does their own hair, I have had the freedom to do whatever I want. Sometimes things don’t work, but when they do work, they look great and make me feel even better! Who knew how much confidence this extra 28″ of hair could give me!

Self Confidence

If you knew me before, it is noo questioning that my self confidence is not what it used to be- It actually exists!!!
I am no longer that caterpillar and I do think that I have finally transitioned into the beautiful butterfly that I’ve always wanted to be. I don’t want to sound narcissistic at all, and it is certain that I am far from perfect, but what matters is that I love me!

Some things that helped me achieve these things during lockdown were that I:

• Understood Self worth
• Stopped caring what other people think
• Started to love myself in the body that I’m in

My diet

My diet has gone through numerous changes in the last year. I feel like I have tried everything, from fad diets to tracking calories to even tracking macros! But what has really made the impact, is that I have found what works for me!

-Addicted To The Kitchen

Since lockdown began, I think I have been cooking every single day, and I have fallen in love with putting together delicious healthy recipes.
As someone who used to loooove fast food, it’s crazy to me that I would now rather something delicious and homemade. I’ve learnt that even stinky vegetables can taste good if cooked the right way… yes, I’m looking at you Brussel sprouts!

-Started to manage my B.E.D

I managed to grab my binge eating disorder by the horns and sort it out. It is a long road but I believe that one day, I will reach the end!

-Tackle My Sugar Addiction

My sugar addiction is nowhere near as bad as it was before, in fact, I’m pretty sure I’m over it. I think fixing my diet overall and eating healthier options really helped me to do this.

Gyaru

Not many people know this, but gyaru is my looooove! I had admired gyaru fashion from a distance but decided to give it a go for myself early last year- the rest is history! Like I mentioned earlier, I stopped caring about what other people thought of me and I started to dress the way I wanted – if I liked the look of something, then I’d wear it, simple!
Gyaru has really helped improve my confidence and I have met tons of lovely people in the community. If you don’t know what it is, I’ll let Lizzie tell ya–
there are also so many amazing gyaru bloggers out there!

Money management

As someone who used to browse the internet just SEARCHING for things to buy, I have been able to start saving, finally!!
I still treat myself every so often but my main goal is to save for the Maya and our future. That all being said, I’m still working on budgeting for groceries, a healthy diet isn’t cheap you know!

My Blogging Journey

When I started my blog in 2019, I didn’t really have any idea of where it was going or what I even wanted to do with it. I just knew that I had a lot to say and I wanted my own platform to share my thoughts and experiences with everyone.

Since my first post, myself and my blog has gone through soo many changes but I think I’m currently where I want to be.
In fact, quite recently, I have managed to create a brand and stick with it- I am finally happy with the way my blog looks and the content I am producing!

I have also:

• Learnt new things– I have learnt new ways to blog as well as social media and marketing tricks.
• Met so many lovely new people (especially on Twitter)– The blogging community is one of the most welcoming communities out there! Everyone is so supportive of each other and ah, I just love it!
• Started to really enjoy content creation– Instead of aimlessly creating content, it started to be more about me, more about the things that I enjoy- and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
• Hit Several milestones that I never saw possible (2.3k views in January)
• Created my first freebie

Honestly the list goes on, but then we’d be here forever. I am not the biggest blogger and I still have a long way to go, but what matters is that I genuinely enjoy what I do!

Kpop

I’m gonna wrap this up with Kpop! I never thought I’d be writing this years later, but as I’ve mentioned a few times before, I have rekindled my love for Kpop again, late last year. Admittedly, I have had a few breakdowns since I’ve started to listen to it again. This was through realising that most idols are my age or even younger, their hard work was a real wakeup call for me. That aside, I am so glad it is back in my life again!

How Lockdown Has Changed My Life

I wouldn’t have written this post if I didn’t feel that my life had honestly changed in the last year. I am comfortable in the skin I am in and enjoying the journey to becoming the best version of myself. I have found things that have increased my confidence and feel as though I have also truly found myself.

What are some things that have changed your life in the last year? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear your stories!

Thanks for stopping by