Blame Covid For It And Move On

*This is a collaborative post*

Freedom day doesn’t mark the end of the pandemic. We all understand that there is still a lot of work to do to manage and minimise the risks of Covid-19. However, freedom day in the UK has been the much-needed call back to life. For the past 18 months or so, most of us have transformed our routines. We’ve stayed away from the people and things we loved as much as possible. We’ve self-isolated, not just from the external world, but also from our social circle and our typical life. In a word, the pandemic has brought us further away from our dreams, aspirations, and desires. The sudden change of focus made us forget what being alive feels like. So, you might have noticed that going back to your old self is not as easy and straightforward as you thought it would be. The pandemic has changed us. It’s time to accept the changes and to move on with your current needs. 

You’ve missed important deadlines

Wait.. Is it July already? Where did the time go? Last you checked, it was only March. So you might find that you’ve missed some important deadlines in lockdown. Thankfully, for many administrative processes, you still have different options and alternatives to make up for it. For self-employed individuals, your self-assessment tax deadline is not up yet. You could submit your taxes for the previous tax year starting from April. But there’s still plenty of time for it!  However, the HMRC has been accommodating during the pandemic and made sure to get in touch with everyone on time to avoid delays. For EU citizens seeking settlement in the UK, the deadline of the settlement scheme was 30 June 2021. But, you can still apply if you have a reasonable reason for missing the deadline. Alternatively, you can consider an indefinite leave to remain application, which will grant you residence permit. You can use the ILR for the naturalisation process. 

Spring Time Change Background

You’re not quite sure about fashion trends

Summer fashion looks tantalisingly appealing this year. There is a happy mix of florals and shirred dresses. But you can be playful too with co-ords that are vibrant with fun colours and patterns. Yes, please, all this looks and sounds awesome, you’re thinking to yourself. But somehow, after 18 months of wearing predominantly loungewear, it’s tough to go back to your normal dress attire. Anything that isn’t loungewear can feel uncomfortable, especially paired with shoes. Summer heels are cute, but damn, they hurt! The truth is that you’re not used to getting dressed anymore. Thankfully, the good news is that it’s only temporary. However, in the meantime, you’ll need to ease into the new fashion trends gradually. Take it one day at a time, and don’t be afraid of valuing comfort over style for now. 

You dread going back to the office

Are you feeling ready to head back to the office? At the start of the pandemic, you were missing the office routine. But 18 months later, your home office is your new workplace. It’s comfortable. But more importantly, it’s safe. A lot of British workers would much prefer to work from home permanently. It will transform your work routine. But who says we haven’t been productive and creative at home? 

The pandemic has changed us. We want different things and have different worries in our lives. And, it’s fine. So, accept that your dreams and needs have changed, and get rolling with the new schedule!