It’s been some time since I last checked in here. Again. So many times I’ve thought about writing, thought about editing, thought about advertising and yet so many times I’ve then talked, or rather, thought myself out of it again. A warning in advance, this may be a long post.

This whole coronavirus lockdown madness is something most of us have never ever witnessed before, and hopefully never will again. When lockdown started I’m sure everyone went into it with a plan. Get fit, read more, be creative, finish that game that was put on hold ages ago. I know I did. How long did it take for all of that to go out of the window? Me? Maybe a week….

I’ve started riding my bike again which is good. I really enjoy cycling, and is definitely something I want to continue after all of this is over. It’s satisfying seeing yourself improve each time. Maybe not so much the distances I’m travelling but the times it takes and average speeds are better. I have found out though my bike is too small for me, so that could only mean one thing. An upgrade! Eventually.

I want to be able to incorporate my cycling with photography eventually, once I’m more confident. Then I can stick the mirrorless Sony in the bag and off we go. Or I could maybe just rely on the Huawei P30 Pro and edit in Lightroom. Either is an option. The Canon will be too big and too heavy I think.

I did initially start lockdown thinking I’ll document it but as it turns out, I’m pretty boring and doing pretty much the same as everyone else. Lounging about doing absolutely nothing worth noting. Pointless taking photos of nothing.

I did take some quick shots on our first trip out after self isolation after showing symptoms a month or so back.

The photos above where all taken during a walk around the local area, Ellesmere Port, around Cheshire Oaks. Whilst not the most scenic, it was important to get out for some fresh air. You don’t quite see the same now but a month or so ago, there was very few people out at once. I’ve never seen Cheshire Oaks so eerily empty.

On a slightly different note, I’ve now worked on my B&W shots. the isolation photos being the first of many to use the Lightroom presets I’ve created. I’ve always preferred a heavy contrasted black and white look but always shied away based purely on what others think but I went with my gut. I really like how they look, not to everyone’s taste but not everyone has to look at them I guess. The two of the bridge being two of my favourite photos for a long time, extremely annoying that I took them as normal photos, not RAW files but still. Other than some phone shots, I’ve not taken any new pictures.

For the most part, I’ve been okay throughout the lockdown. It’s a weird state of being mentally tired constantly without being able to fully switch off yet somehow accepting that sitting around doing nothing is what is expected of me now.

I’ve had days, like most people, where I’ve done absolutely nothing all day. I had no motivation, no desire and no umph to move. They’re the worst types of days at the best of times, nevermind when there is literally nothing else to occupy my mind and distract from my own thoughts. I’m actually quite surprised my mood hasn’t been considerably worse. There has been moments where I feel angry and frustrated but again, I can almost guarantee almost everyone will be feeling the same way. Annoyingly, exercising and using my allotted “outside” time does work, it does make me feel better. Less stuck. I’m trying, once again, to eat healthier but at the moment it’s a small step, being more picky with what I eat and when as opposed to everything and always.

One thing that is driving me insane though, social media. It’s always a good place for people to have their opinions and force them upon you but it seems even more so now. The amount of incorrect data and “facts” being published is shocking. Scaremongering is a really true thing on Facebook in particular. Sometimes, it’s just not a nice place to be. However, it is as proven, the best way to keep in contact with each other in times exactly like this.

Keeping in contact is so important during all of this too. I’ve never had so many phonecalls. And that’s coming from someone who hates talking over the phone, or indeed video calls. They are my idea of hell, sat basically staring back at yourself for a good 45 minutes. No thank you. However, saying that it does help when you’re missing people and dying to get back to “normal”. Whatever normal is now.

I do miss a lot from before all this happened, family, friends, work. But then do I really miss all the pressure, the stress , the lack of time for me? Genuinely not sure I do. Somehow, despite the Coronavirus keeping us all apart, it’s actually brought a lot of people closer together. Granted, it’s also highlighted some of the more selfish individuals amongst us. Those people that “don’t care” and just go about doing whatever they like. Those that believe the government’s guidelines and restrictions don’t apply to them. There was one simple thing we were all told to do. Stay at home. Unless of course you’re going to the shop or exercising. So why is it there are still unbelievably selfish people visiting each other’s homes, going out together and not following rules set in workplaces. I don’t get it. I really don’t. Then again, not sure why I’m surprised anymore.

Anyway.

I’ve had my rant, and in doing so just noticed how long this post has got. I’ll end this one here but no doubt I’ll be back sooner rather than later. Writing (or journaling as I was doing for a little bit) has helped throughout this.

Stay safe.

– Rachael