I will do this differently when everything is back to normal

Yiiiiihaaaa, the hospitality industry is almost OPEN again. Yes, I am very happy about that. Because of everything I have had to miss in the past two months, that visit to a restaurant is definitely number one on the list. Given my new quarantine kilos (unplanned and unwelcome), I haven't really missed the gym... But exercising will have to fit more into my schedule again, because the first reservations have already been made and I am going to make the most of it. You understand that.

But now, as the corona measures are slowly being relaxed, it might also be a good idea to reflect a bit. Have we learned anything from the past months? Things that we have started to appreciate more, or less. Perhaps habits that we had to adjust, habits that have changed for the better. For example, I have learned that I never want to have corona again and I absolutely hope that I am now immune, but now that all that is behind us... Not everything has disappointed me. On the contrary, I am going to take some of this quarantine time with me into the ‘new normal’. And I don't mean my quarantine kilos, I will leave those behind. Adieu and see you never again.

1. Being a little kitchen princess (or pretending to be) is very fun
I have always enjoyed cooking, I just did it so little. Almost never, before the coronavirus hit. Going out to eat on a Tuesday night and spending over fifty euros per person was nothing special for me. Quite a shame and unnecessary actually, because you can also have a great meal at home with those same people. Well okay, that wasn't possible when we were in intelligent lockdown, but eating at home is often just much cozier. And I have really rediscovered the joy of cooking. Win-win: it saves a ton of money AND cooking becomes really fun. Even my girlfriend, who could barely make an omelet (you know who you are), now proudly serves her homemade meals. And successfully.

2. Feeling good in your home is so important
Spontaneously going out to eat on a Tuesday night, constantly working on my laptop in my favorite café or at the office, always going out on the weekends... My home had recently only been a place where I slept, showered, and got dressed. Did I really feel ‘at home’ there? Not really. That same restlessness when you had nothing to do on a Sunday. Wanting to leave immediately. Well, then corona came and I literally couldn't go anywhere. So I didn't just sit down and sulk, but I gave my home a makeover: different decor, new paintings and photos on the wall, new dinnerware, new glasses, cleaned out the wardrobe, the whole shebang. And what do you think? I love it. A Saturday night at home suddenly doesn't sound bad at all. Being able to find your peace in your own home is really so important, I don't want to lose that anymore.

3. Keep taking time for yourself
Barely being home also means hardly being truly alone. And that is something I want to keep doing post-corona: occasionally taking conscious time for yourself. Whether that is with a book on the couch, mindlessly watching Netflix, or just doing nothing: taking time for yourself. It may sound a little bit airy-fairy, but reflecting and coming to yourself is so important. Before this, I was always on my way somewhere, busy in my head with all the plans or making plans if I didn't have any yet. I think there were really weeks that went by in which I wasn't even with myself and also very consciously clearing my head. The result is that during the two weeks of intelligent lockdown, I also got a kind of internal lockdown and only then realized how much I was constantly racing. So, note to self and I think note to a lot of people: take your rest. Consciously. Whatever that may be for you. I have completely let out my inner free spirit and have recently started coloring with mandala coloring pages. But of course, you can also approach it a little less intensely.

4. Being more conscious with money
I mentioned it briefly in my first point, but I have realized that I was spending so much pointless money. On dining out, but also on things in between. Clothes that I never wore, hairdressers, beauticians, a day out, then to the movies, a little necklace here and a pair of earrings there... They are not all large amounts (except for those splurges on a day of hopping from one restaurant to another), but all together it adds up. Now, I am not really a financially wise type, as long as it is fun and I feel good, I spend it like water. Well, then corona came and I saw what was left in my account and thought: hey, that's nice. So now I have become the type that has an Excel spreadsheet with an overview of all fixed costs and a savings plan with a goal. It turns out now, at thirty, that I really enjoy saving.

5. Walking, walking, and more walking
It may sound a bit sad now, but when I met someone, it was often in a hospitality venue and that often came with a glass of wine or a beer. Very nice of course, but this lockdown has taught me that this is really not the only option. Because, just like most of the Netherlands, I have started walking. And how fun is walking? Even without someone, just putting on a podcast and taking a stroll in the park. So nice and it really clears your head. The sun makes it complete, of course. An extra bonus: your step counter is also happy. Walking is just awesome.