Nicola Sturrs - Life in Lockdown

In our latest blog, our Bangor based Business Development Manager Nicola Sturrs shares how she has adapted to life in lockdown. 

If you’d have told me back in January that I would soon be spending many months in lockdown, I would never have believed you (who would have!).

Having recently reduced my working hours from full-time to part-time, I have had the pleasure of working on a job share basis with my lovely friend, colleague and fellow ION Leadership Business Development Manager, Fliss Roberts. Fliss returned to work earlier this year following a period of 12 months maternity leave after the birth of her beautiful baby boy. Working a 2-day week has most definitely freed up a lot of my time, however, I must admit that I have found the whole lockdown situation to be quite challenging at times. It’s very unfortunate that we have so far been unable to fully appreciate our non-working days due to the Covid19 lockdown situation.

As a family we have managed to spend many sunny days out in the garden, playing cricket, football and basketball as well as planting and even building a new composite decking area. A recent trip to our local garden centre was such a highlight for me. I must say that on-line shopping has become a bit of a habit and I could not resist ordering a hot tub for my new decking, (it’s not as if we are going to travel abroad this year and it felt so good to purchase a little lockdown treat).

It’s been a great time to get organized at home. We’ve had a good old clear out and have recently been able to take our unwanted items to our local recycling centre (A tidy home equals a tidy mind and all that!). Although it’s not been plain sailing every day, on the miserable days we managed to do a little DIY and decorating within our home and to be honest we’ve been quite productive. 

My two teenagers have been keeping themselves busy and entertained with a mixture of schoolwork, Xbox, iPad’s and exercise and have even become virtual quiz masters, with my 16-year-old daughter hosting quiz nights with her friends on a weekly basis. Sadly, my daughter is one of the many who will not be sitting her GCSE exams this year and she is currently awaiting her results which will be issued in August. It’s a very anxious time for them all, but fingers crossed that she’ll receive the results she needs.

Thank goodness I made that New Year’s resolution earlier this year to attempt to get fit and lose a stone or two. I’m so glad that I decided to buy myself a treadmill and an exercise bike during the January sales. They’ve really been a godsend and have spared me from gaining too much weight. The equipment has enabled me to keep active and focused. Routine really is key. As we all know it’s so important to make sure you get a little exercise each day.

It’s also been great to have the time to get creative and to improve my technical skills. As a family, we have been enjoying drawing and painting and have even created videos - adding special effects and brushing up on our editing skills. 

Although my social life has not been quite as busy as it was, I am still managing to enjoy meeting up with my family and friends for catch up’s and quiz nights etc via Zoom and House Party, which is great fun. It’s been difficult not being able to see much of my family, especially my parents and my Grandmother, who turns 89 this year. My grandmother has been shielding since the beginning of the pandemic as she suffers quite badly with emphysema and she is also registered blind.  I honestly cannot wait to see her and give the biggest hug ever!  

It has been a difficult time, but there have been some highlights for me:

The Thursday Night Clap for our NHS hero’s and Carers

Not only could we show our appreciation for these amazing people, but it was also a chance to check up on my neighbours and have a good old chin wag! (Following the social distancing rules of course!)

VE Day

What a great day we had! Our whole street made such an effort to celebrate and the community spirit was amazing. Everyone decorated their homes and gardens with red, white and blue decorations and flags and we all enjoyed afternoon tea out in our own front gardens. I even plucked up the courage to sing a few of Vera Lynn’s numbers on the old karaoke! (which went down a treat!). It was such an uplifting atmosphere and a day I will never forget.

The relaxing of the lockdown rules

I will never forget that first visit from my Parents when the lockdown regulations were recently relaxed so that we could meet up outdoors. It was so good to see them after so long!

Why not join Nicola and other members of the ION Bangor team for their learning event on the 21st July. You can find out more, and book to attend, here.

If you are interested in taking part in a leadership programme in North Wales, do not hesitate to contact Nicola on n.sturrs@bangor.ac.ukor visit our courses pages to find out more.