Six People on Life During Lockdown
The coronavirus (COVID19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. In the months since, non-essential travel has been curbed in many countries and, throughout the world, many people have experienced countrywide lockdowns in effort to save lives and stop the spread. In November, as we began to look towards the new year and the unknown, we reached out to expats and locals in France to discuss the second lockdown, which officially ends on Tuesday, December 15th.
Here’s what six people had to say about their feelings during lockdown and discovering ways to find joy.
Janelle
Paris, France
Pronouns: She/Her
Where are you from? Toronto, Canada
How are you feeling about the second lockdown?
To be honest, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster. I was extremely anxious waiting for the decision to re-confine to be made official, but now I’m experiencing a sense of calm because there is nothing I can do about the situation. I’ve let my anxiety go. That’s not to say that I’m happy with the arrangement, but being anxious isn’t serving me right now.
What are you doing to keep busy during lockdown?
I have been spending a lot of time baking (a cliché I picked up during our first lockdown in the spring), which I find extremely calming. I’ve really fallen in love with it, and for the first time in my life have some signature dishes that I’ll be able to share with my framily (friend family) here in Paris when we’re able to see each other again. Apart from that I’ve been teaching myself the basics of photography - which I’ve been using to capture my baked goods.
I have also been obsessed with the YouTube channel Yoga with Adrienne. Adrienne has great short practices, and 30 day challenges that get you out of your head and show you that you’re stronger than you think.
What is an affirmation or a quote that brings you joy?
“You don’t have to know what to do or who to be right now. Just be here - without expectation, self-judgement, or guilt.” - Alex Elle
François
Goyave, Guadeloupe
Pronouns: He/him
Where are you from?
I live in Paris but I was born in Martinique. My mom is from Martinique and my dad from Guadeloupe, so basically I'm French-Caribbean.
How are you feeling about the second lockdown?
At first I was feeling very depressed. Since I'm a freelance journalist and a home person, I don't mind staying inside and working from home, which has been my life even before lockdown. (Haha.) Two things were really hard on me though: the atmosphere in Paris (with Covid of course, but also terrorist attacks plus racism and Islamophobia everywhere), which is really suffocating, and having to put my professional life on pause. I've been really struggling to keep my shit together after the first lockdown, so it was disheartening to see the second coming. I was kinda exhausted, mentally speaking, and I couldn't see myself living that all over again. So I told myself that I might as well spend this time in Guadeloupe and have quality time with my parents and family. I got tested, and tested negative for Covid, then flew there. Ever since I landed, I've been feeling really good and at peace. There's no place like home really. Plus, Guadeloupe is not on lockdown at the moment.
What are you doing to keep busy during lockdown?
Since my arrival, I've been actively focusing on self-care and digital detox. Every day is kinda the same: wake up, drink water, work out, spend time with my parents, eat fish, plantain and gumbo, get lots of sleep, and repeat. Enjoy nature. Listen to a few podcasts, watch some TV. I don't even bother going to the beach. I still brought work with me though. I teach podcasting to students in journalism. Every class is long-distance, of course.
What is an affirmation or a quote that brings you joy?
I don't really have one actually. Only quotes I know are from French rapper Booba, neither joyful nor aspirational !
Yanique
Paris, France
Pronouns: She/her
Where are you from? St. Mary, Jamaica
How are you feeling about the second lockdown?
I have so many feelings. There's just so many things I can talk about: one of the things I feel is acceptance. At some point you have to accept that something outside of yourself is happening. It’s accepting that we're going thru this crazy pandemic, and accepting that we are being re-confined. I don't have the energy to not re-accept. I don't have the energy to speculate on these things are right now. I'm trying to make sure I am good, my health is good, my business is good. I'm really focused on my health, as well, because of my fibroids. Going through this whole BLM and the elections were stressful and having all these things happening in 2020 and realizing that if you don't have health, you don't have shit. I have been super focused on things that I eat, my meditation, my daily rituals, and really also honing into what brings me joy. I'm constantly trying to tap into my joy, which some days are better than others.
What are you doing to keep busy during lockdown?
I'm trying to survive. I'm working on updating my all of my internal sales strategies -- administrative things as related to Elope In Paris— and getting things ready for 2021. It's a great opportunity to sort of pivot. I'm excited about what I'm doing for Elope in Paris. I'm doing consulting calls with MyParisianLife. I'm helping a lot of women help their life happen in Paris and France. It’s spiritual coaching with business advice. It puts the things I'm passionate about together. I like to talk with people. I can always see more in people— so much more than they can see in themselves. The coaching and the consulting has been an eye opener for me as well. I want to have more coaching and consulting for 2020. I’ve had amazing calls so far from people interested in studying and etc. I'm seeing how happy these women are with the idea of this. I'm very realistic and I give away a lot of information.
What is an affirmation or a quote that brings you joy?
"My body is a safe living space" brings me joy. I say this over and over. It makes me feel great and sometimes I can even feel like the fibroids are shrinking.
Anne-Laetitia
London, UK
Pronouns: She/her
Where are you from? Born in Paris and originally from Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa).
How are you feeling about the second lockdown?
I am feeling ok about the Lockdown, as the first one gave me the ability to focus on me immensely. I was back home in Paris with my family, and I had the best time surrounded by loved ones, but essentially focusing on me as a person and my career progression. I was fasting at the beginning of the lockdown —following an epiphany that I had when I travelled back to Ivory Coast after 23 years— so I spend time meditating and working on my spirituality a lot also. This helped me refocus on me, in terms of what would make me happy and what I need to do to achieve this, therefore I practiced the law of attraction, read a lot about meditation and practised it. At the end of that lockdown, I became a PR freelancer for an African PR agency, I got into acting and worked in the Afropolitaine TV show as Press Attaché and I got back into my first love: Singing.
Consequently, this is the reason why I do not feel negatively about this particular 2nd lockdown, because regardless of our restrictions I managed to produce and achieve so much. This time though I am in lockdown in the UK, so it might be slightly different as I am not with family anymore, but the UK is dear to my heart, having lived here over 13 years now, I couldn’t be happier. I am still working on Afropolitaine TV show as a Press Attaché, (I am also playing in episodes 4 and 10), and additionally as a Project Coordinator for a Panafrican Music project called Umoja (Unity) One Love Africa, which aims is to promote Africa and its Diaspora through musical talent, unified by music in the form of a song called “Umoja” to be covered by different artists in most countries in Africa. Have a look at our website and our FB and Instagram for more information. This is Beyoncé’s Tour Director’s project Alan Floyd, a musical genius, who wants to shine a light on Africa and its Diaspora’s artistry, and promote unity amongst us all. Alan Floyd gifted his song to be used as Afropolitaine’s trailer soundtrack and also in certain episodes.
What are you doing to keep busy during lockdown?
Also, I am getting back into my singing, by writing and covering songs.
And I am preparing to move back to Ivory Coast beginning of next year to be back on my ancestors soil and enjoy life to the fullest! So, lots of planning and preparation I am really excited about! Hopefully I will be able to move this coming January. The law of attraction tells me that if you think positively, positivity will manifest itself to you so be it!
I view this lockdown as a second chance to make the most out of life and concentrate on the things that matter to us the most whether it’s personal development, family, work, or simple pleasure of life like been grateful for being alive and breathing. It’s a one in a lifetime opportunity to take back what’s ours, and being in control (although it seems we are not free anymore) I believe mentally we have never been freer , there is no better feeling than this!
Virginie
Paris, France
Pronouns: She/her
Where are you from? I was born and raised in Paris, France
How are you feeling about the second lockdown?
I feel low. It becomes very hard to not hang out in museums and visiting art shows as I want, and I miss to see my family a lot!
What are you doing to keep busy during lockdown?
I try to keep doing sport, and learning. I watch a lot of video about marketing and personal development.
What is an affirmation or a quote that brings you joy?
"It is precisely the possibility of making a dream come true that makes life interesting." - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Mary-Lou
Paris, France
Pronouns: She/her
Where are you from? Rhode Island
How are you feeling about the second lockdown?
I think the second confinement is easier to manage as there are less restrictions and the schools are opened. As I didn't have any travel plans and I can work from home, I am not at a complete loss. Also, I am more introverted than extroverted, so I am fine staying at home. Also, I am into self-care and well-being, so I have a lot of coping techniques to keep me more or less balanced.
What are you doing to keep busy during lockdown?
Well as November is National Write a Novel Month, that is how I am unwinding at night. [Edit note: This question was asked in November.] I am writing mostly plays, short stories, and as I have been teaching Intercultural Relations for many years, I am writing about it. As long as I am writing that is all that matters.
I am also working on my French as I would like to be more fluent. And, de-cluttering!!!! It's been on my list to do, but it was difficult during the first time as there were a lot of unknown factors surrounding the confinement. Plus, I had my daughter with me, and I wanted her to feel as safe and secured as possible, so my first priority was her well-being. This time, I can do the boring yet necessary adult things that I didn't do before.
What is an affirmation or a quote that brings you joy?
I have a dark sense of humor, so whenever something weird happens, I say to myself, "2020 is staying on brand." It makes me laugh during these volatile times.