If you’ve hit the pandemic wall, this one’s for you…

Hello Beautiful,

Would it be an understatement to say that 2021 hasn’t exactly been the tonic we were hoping would take the sting out of 2020?

I guess it would!

And with restrictions still in place, more and more of us seem to be hitting the pandemic wall — we’re exhausted, we’re stressed, we’ve had enough.

So, gorgeous, if that pretty much sums up how you’re feeling right now, I want this to be the moment that you allow yourself to step out of that headspace, even if only for a few minutes, and think about ways you could give yourself a mental boost.

It might be that you need to start showing yourself more respect.

For example, have you let your boundaries slide a little while trying to juggle working from home and home schooling? Are you beating yourself up for feeling emotionally wobbly during a global crisis? Have you let your self-care rituals slide right to the bottom of your busy schedule?

If so, this is your reminder that you’re still important, that you deserve to take a little time just for yourself, that you’re allowed to feel EXACTLY what you’re feeling, and there’s no shame in being overwhelmed by it all.

It might be that you need to double down on your efforts to restore your equilibrium.

Like finding ways to sneak more movement into your days, reconnecting with the people you love (even if only through a computer screen for now…), or giving yourself regular breaks from watching the news or doomscrolling on Twitter.

Or it might be that you need to make a conscious decision to focus on the positives.

I know that can be tricky right now, when things seem so very grim. But we mustn’t forget that there is still so much to be grateful for, so much joy still to be found, and so much still to look forward to.

Yes, even now.

For me, I’m choosing to focus (with a hefty dose of optimism) on my April wedding. I’m choosing to believe that everything will be allowed to go ahead as planned, and that however it plays out I’m just so very lucky to be spending the rest of my life with someone I love.

But if you don’t have any big events on your 2021 calendar, or if you’re putting off making plans, booking holidays, or arranging to see friends and family, remember that there are still plenty of things you can look forward to.

And there are still plenty of things that'll make you smile this year.

It might be seeing the first cherry blossoms emerge in the spring, welcoming the first properly warm days of summer, or the simple pleasure of having a walk by the sea or an ice cream in your local park.

And, as more and more of us receive the vaccine we can look forward to doing all of the things we used to take for granted too: meeting friends for coffee, trips to the cinema, live events, hugging those we love.
So whenever you start to struggle, remind yourself that it’s not forever and that better days most definitely lie ahead.

Jennie x

P.S For my fellow brides, planning a wedding is NOT easy. Planning a wedding during a global pandemic? That’s a whole new level of stressful! One thing that’s helping me right now is working through my Wedding Ebook — you can grab your free copy here right now. It’s exactly what you need to help keep you sane while still making sure everything will be magical.