6 things I learnt in 2020

I feel like it's a bit late to say Happy New Year, especially considering we are in lockdown now, but the message is there for anyone who reads it. One thing I want to say is, although it may appear that I am quite glum about the pandemic, I do understand why we are currently in this situation. The NHS are facing probably one of their biggest crisis' right now, with Covid cases at an all-time high and beds at an all-time low. We must be sensible to help protect the NHS (and ourselves) to prevent things escalating even more out of control. I am just here to write the main life lessons I learnt in 2020 and to share them with you all.

Never take your health for granted.

Obviously this was going to be a big life lesson given that we are in a pandemic, but also for personal reasons. Life before 2020 I knew your health could play up from time to time, but I never in a million years thought it would be from something as big as Covid and cancer. I have many a time spread the message to get something checked but, as well as this, it has also been to be considerate of others. Although many of us believe we are invincible because we 'only get a cold once a year' or have 'never broken a bone', sometimes even the strongest of people can fall into the hands of an illness. This is both physically and mentally. Lockdown has proven to have had a grip on both. We must look after ourselves, whether that be to take your vitamins or to set boundaries for yourself so that in the long run things will remain in check.

The NHS are incredible.

Following on from this, I think we could not have got through this year without the NHS. I found them absolutely amazing for my cancer surgery and radio-iodine treatment, and I am so grateful we have a service like this available. The key workers behind the NHS have to sacrifice so much for their job and their dedication to help others is truly remarkable. I think this past year has highlighted that due to Covid. 

Connection is important.

Luckily we've been able to access things like FaceTime, Skype, the infamous Zoom and many forms of video chats as well as the regular call this past year more than ever. As this is such a difficult time for so many people it's so important to check in on your friends, family and people who need it. Everyone will need a different form of connection at different times. Something as simple as a text message or a reply to an Instagram story has been a way of staying connected during a time where isolation is encouraged for me.

Be grateful for the small things.

When Covid and the Tier system came into our lives placing what feels (present tense because this is still occurring) like so many restrictions are being placed upon us, being grateful for the little things makes things just that more bearable. As I am writing this, we are all currently under a national lockdown in the UK, and with talks of this possibly lasting until April, everything seems bleak and never-ending. I've found comforts in writing a 'highlight of the day', and even if that is as small as: 'going for a walk with my sister' or 'calling the girls', it reminds me that right now I still have things around me to not take for granted, but to appreciate instead.

The arts have never been more important.

During the pandemic, I think it's fair to say the entertainment industry like many other industries have been badly affected (and that's putting it lightly). As an actor, I feel it is important to write about the industry right now. I can't tell you how heart breaking it is to plan shows, or audition for something and feel like you almost undergo a double rejection with Covid cancelling or postponing performances. Rejection is a common theme of being a performer, but when it's due to a (casting) director you can quickly accept that and move on. However, when it is due to a pandemic, there is constantly this weird void of 'will the show go ahead or not?' with a large amount of shows being pushed back further and further. One thing I will say, is that during the pandemic last year a lot of performers or people in the entertainment industry were told to retrain. Some of us had to do that because money comes first, but to tell people to retrain out of a passion is insulting on many levels. Carrie Hope Fletcher said something along the lines of taking away Netflix and streaming services during the pandemic to see how we'd cope, and I couldn't agree more. Without Netflix, the Hubs, Iplayer, Amazon Prime, YouTube and so many more, a lot of us would not have coped with lockdown. The arts (and this isn't just theatre and film, it's books, arts and so on) have a crucial place in society that helps to connect us as one. Now more than ever, so many in the entertainment industry need our support to help educate us, provide us with escapism and some form of relief during this awful time.

Don't cut your hair without googling first.

I am aware I was getting quite heated with the last point, so I will finish on a much lighter one. Now, we all remember when hairdressers were forced to close (and are currently closed again) and we all took to the trusted YouTube to google 'how to cute a fringe' and many more I imagine. THANK GOD FOR THAT, because if I didn't google cutting bangs in a 'sideways motion', I think Edward Scissorhands could have done a better job. So, if you take anything away from this- please google before handling those scissors!

I hope you're all keeping as safe and well as you can, and just know you are not alone during this. Hopefully, one day this all be a thing of the past and our WiFi can have a good break.

Odette xo

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