5 mins read | Life In Motion

Amelia Le Brun Talks Lockdown Wellbeing

photographer and outdoors enthusiast Amelia Brun in Pala sunglasses

As we settle into a second lockdown in the UK, we asked our ambassador Amelia to share her thoughts and tips for maintaining good mental health during uncertain times.  Many people engage in a daily struggle with their mental wellbeing outside the additional pressures of the current pandemic, so it felt ever more important to ask her to share some of her own experience and coping mechanisms.

Amelia with her pet pug

“Normal is a setting on a washing machine” Amelia’s mum.

I swear, if I hear one more headline about this disease I may scream. Fear mongering, panic buying, death. The very worst aspects of human existence have been exposed this year.  While it seems as though the world is turning inward, trapped and confused, the planet is healing at a remarkable rate. The positive effect of grounded planes, quarantined people and less international movement is doing wonders for our planet, so there is a silver lining.

I have seen a lot of talk about boredom, people ignoring the advice to stay in or at least social distance. I get that, the thought of being kept inside indefinitely fills me with dread. Being outside, active and productive is absolutely key to maintaining my own, often fragile mental health.  As a self-employed freelancer, I know I am among many others when I say I that I am anxious and depressed about what the future holds for me and my business.

I think some of the key things to remember during this bizarre time is that no one is alone in this. The entire country (and most of the wider world) is feeling the effect of this virus. The world as we know it has stopped for everyone, with some affects more detrimental than others. It is also key to remember that we will get through this. Whether that be in the preferred days, weeks or even months; it is going to end and the only way we can speed this up is to trust, listen and act on the advice we are being given.

I do want to reiterate that there is no “normal” way to feel. In fact, I think this statement is actually very true for every aspect of life. My mother’s favourite saying is: “Normal is a setting on a washing machine”, which as well as making me laugh, rings very true as I get older.

amelia le brun outdoors in mountains

My first tip is to go easy on yourself. Give yourself time to adjust and settle into working from home, or perhaps not even working at all at the minute. It’s a surreal feeling for a lot of people, and a worrying time for anyone who is self-employed or building their own business. So, go ahead and binge your favourite Netflix series, eat chocolate for breakfast or sit in your pants all day.  Whatever makes you feel safe or comfortable in the situation.

Secondly; use this unexpected free time to learn a new skill, or tackle something you’ve been putting aside for months. Maybe its cleaning out your fridge, or sorting your garage, or cleaning out your wardrobe. As for skills, they’re endless! Learn a new language, take up yoga, start working out, watch YouTube tutorials, enrol on an online workshop (Strohl Works is a personal favourite) take up meditation; Headspace is a brilliant app and I have been using it for a few months now (thanks again to my Mother!)

Look toward the future; I get super excited thinking about all the amazing things that will come out of this situation; planning my next trips, writing notes of things I want to achieve as soon as we get back to some normality, searching for destinations I haven’t explored yet, creating mood boards, discovering new creators.

My final, and most important tip; STAY CREATIVE! If (like me) you enjoy photography, step out and work with what you currently have at your disposal. If you live in a city (Londoners I’m looking at you), use your daily exercise to photograph some cityscapes, play with light and take the opportunity to shoot spots that are usually crowded with people. If you live in the countryside, or a village (as I do), head out and shoot portraits with your siblings, dogs, parents – anyone you have to hand! Wake up early, shoot the sunrise, local wildlife.

 

pug dog standing by fire in the woods

On days that you can’t face heading out, potter around your house, looking for sun traps, little corners that the light hits especially beautifully, take selfies, practice self-timer portraits. Remember in all of this, you’re not looking to shoot the next master piece, or your favourite photo ever, it’s about trying new things and staying stoked.  

For those of you less interested in photography, write or blog, try knitting, drawing, painting, singing, creating goofy videos.  Anything that occupies your attention and makes you happy, no matter how stupid it may seem.

For me, it’s always been super important to see results from what I have done every day, whether that be photos I want to edit, a fully crossed off to do list or a completed blog post I’ve been putting off.

Remember, there is no normal, and there is no right or wrong.

Stay safe, stay happy.

Amelia x

@amslebrun

Photos copyright Amelia Le Brun.

 

Find out more about Amelia, her passion for photography and love of the outdoors. It’s why we are delighted to have her as a Pala ambassador.