A new found freedom

Well lads, can you believe it? We have entered phase two and are re-emerging from our cocoons like the beautiful butterflies that we are.

Now I’m not really sure what to make of all this, as on the one hand I’m extremely excited to be able to do more than just stay in my house and make the occasional trip to the supermarket, but on the other hand I’m feeling a little bit cautious about going about my business, going to shops and generally socialising again.

It’s great to see all the boutiques opening again and also to see the stores on Opera Lane re-open. I am heading to the city this week for a meeting and I feel like I’m going on holiday as I haven’t really been to Cork city in about three months.

Of course, my new found freedom is not without dilemmas. Do I drive to the city even though I am already fearful of parking, especially since I have never driven into a multi-storey car park ever and certainly not on my own! Or do I get the bus which, to be honest, sounds unappealing even though to be fair I have a mask and I will be using it.

I have to say it took me a while to get used to wearing a mask indoors but really it’s in everyone’s best interest to wear one for the time being.

I think it’s also important to note that going into clothes shops is going to be decidedly different to the pre-Covid shopping experience. Limited amount of people allowed into stores means the potential to be queueing for a while so I’ll be making sure to pack an umbrella in case it starts to rain. Being that we live in Ireland, that’s a very real possibility!

Browsing and unnecessary touching of clothes will also be discouraged so I would suggest having an idea of what you are looking for, research online what is available in the shops and have a plan of action. The days of wandering aimlessly in shops is for now a thing of the past. It’s also important to remember that some stores will not have their fitting rooms open and there will be a smaller amount of staff working who are also trying to find their feet with new procedures in place so please be patient and remember to be nice.

We are all figuring this out together. I saw the following piece of advice on a few businesses’ social media and I thought it was very valid. If you go into a store and something is being done which you believe to be not following guidelines, please find a member of staff and discuss it. Don’t just jump on your social media platform and start calling them out. This is not helpful.

It’s also interesting to be back considering outfits for various social occasions outside of supermarket visits and exercising. What does one wear to a small garden gathering of four people or a trip to the city to meet a work colleague? These are the pressing questions of the day! I’ve been living in wide leg printed trousers at the moment especially a black and white polka dot pair from H&M. They are endlessly versatile and mean I can wear with coloured flat sandals, t-shirt and denim jacket while sipping cocktails in the garden or dress it up with a block heel, t-shirt and blazer to have a work related coffee meeting. Both options are comfortable to wear and loose enough to accommodate any Covid inches you may have acquired!