My lockdown life: Ellie Voci
Our graphic designer shares what it’s like to be in lockdown far from home.
Make friends where you can. Ellie’s daily walk takes her through the local farms.
Isolated in a foreign country [France]
Because of my job as a designer, my work style has been impacted very little by coronavirus. However, my laptop broke end of April due to a coffee accident… and that changed my work situation. After two long weeks, I finally received my replacement, so it’s back to work for me behind a screen!
Something that’s really impressed me was how areas of London came together to find ways to be creative. Bermondsey in particular. I follow a couple of the independent coffee/drinks spots around there and they came up with a very cool “cocktails-at-home” kit for anyone who orders drinks from them via Deliveroo.
Very little… I’m a tad embarrassed to admit that under times of high stress (like a global pandemic!), I tend to mentally turn inwards. Coupled with the fact I have spent the last two months in lockdown in a different country where I don’t speak the language, I’m not feeling particularly sociable.
Absolutely nothing. I strongly believe this period of slowdown could be beneficial to certain people, under the right conditions. This wasn’t the case for me and I think it’s important to acknowledge that this is a very stressful, tragic period for many people, places, and businesses.
Instead, I am looking forward to getting back to London and to be a part of what I hope will be a new green movement to encourage us all to walk and cycle more. I’ve even bought a bike to arrive to my London flat (once I can return).
Get a haircut and a full head of highlights. I’ve avoided dying my hair pink and cutting it myself, but that’s not to say the thought hadn’t crossed my mind…
I have been religiously following a number of Instagram account for health and wellness content, steering clear of the mainstream news. I want content which calms and comforts me. I’ve turned to @motherheart for daily Zoom sound healing sessions and @ariellelorre for easy, healthy recipes and podcasts that I can listen to when I do my hour exercise walk.
When the lockdown first started, I’d say I was consuming wine on a nightly basis. My favourite is a glass of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay with dinner. However, after eight weeks of consistent drinking, my jeans told me it was time to give it a rest – so for the time being I’m not drinking at all.