Who’s ready for the next instalment of my lockdown journals? Well, you’re in luck as Katherine, the face behind ‘The Wedding Industry PA’ is gracing the pages of the blog this week! From staying motivated to podcast recommendations, this lovely lady is here to tell us all about lockdown life….

1 So, let’s talk about life in lockdown. What time do you get up? What’s your morning routine? Has this changed since working from home / being in lockdown?

This one is interesting for me because although I work from home on my business, I still work part time as a key worker too. My routine has certainly changed during lockdown, because whilst I spend most mornings at my ‘other job’ I find that it’s harder to get up in a timely manner on my days ‘off’! My morning routine on a purely working-from-home day pre-lockdown would have been an early gym session (7am usually) followed by breakfast and coffee (essential), and straight into business work. Now, I find I’m much more tired and tend to sleep for longer on those working-from-home days. Coffee is still an essential though!

2 How do you remain motivated while working from home?

I organise my tasks by how time sensitive they are, and make sure I tick off the biggest, most time-sensitive ones first thing in the day. I also take regular breaks, which usually involve cake or brownies. These are a great motivator.

3 Do you listen to any podcasts while working from home?

I really love Faye Cornhill’s Wedding Business podcast. As a wedding industry VA I work a lot with words, so I find it really distracting listening to anything where someone is talking or singing! Even normal music with lyrics is annoying to me - I usually put some classical music on!

4 Lockdown has impacted businesses all over the world. How can people support you? E.g. #ShopSmallBusiness, sharing a post on FB, commenting on an Instagram post etc.

Supporting me on Instagram is a great help to me, to continue my growth and exposure. Comments and shares on my posts, particularly among those in the wedding industry, are invaluable.

5 Tell me one local business that you’ve decided to support during lockdown. It could be your local coffee shop, someone who hand-makes masks etc.

Every time we’ve had an occasion, be that Christmas, birthdays and Valentine’s Day coming up, I’ve tried to shop from small local businesses as much as possible. Some of my favourites have been The Most Curious Kat for cards, and Millie Stone UK for personalised gifts! A good friend of mine JB Cakery has also been making the BEST brownies!

6 Tell me your favourite isolation cocktail / snack / treat?

I’m a sucker for an Aperol spritz, and I’ve recently started ordering from Pasta Evangelists so I can pretend I’m in Italy!

7 What’s your go-to ‘pick me up’ during lockdown life / working from home?

A good yoga flow or stretch at the end of the day always helps to refocus me, calm me and put me in a better mood. Usually followed by some feel-good music and a good dance around my living room (with the curtains closed!).

8 How are you keeping in touch with friends and family?

Facetime has been a godsend. My grandparents who live around an hour away have even worked out how to use it, so I’ve been able to see them virtually if not physically! My friends and I regularly set up Saturday Nights Out/In, get dressed up and have virtual FaceTime parties!

9 Name one lockdown pet peeve

Not being able to go to the gym is the biggest one for me! It helps so much with my focus and makes me less anxious. But the biggest pet peeve about it is that the price of gym equipment online has gone through the roof, so I can’t even buy any for home!

10 Name one lockdown love

Generally a slower pace of life. Normally I rush around from one thing to the next and it wears me out, so it’s nice to be forced to slow down and take it easy!

11 What do you have in store for your business? What’s got you feeling inspired?

I’ve recently started working and having consultations some absolute dream clients, and it’s really inspiring me to continue in this direction! I’m also in the process of creating some helpful guides for wedding professionals, and I have a VERY exciting secret project in the pipelines that I hope will help to bring everybody back to the networking game when we’re allowed!

12 What’s one thing you want to do after lockdown restrictions are lifted?

I can’t wait to put some nice clothes on and go out for cocktails and great food! I also have SO many travel plans - Italy, New York and Switzerland are all calling me.

13 What has been your favourite Netflix series to binge on during lockdown?

There have been so many, but The Queen’s Gambit was incredible! Thought I was going to say Bridgerton, didn’t you…no comment!

14 Are there any books on your shelf you’d recommend reading during lockdown?

I read ‘The Binding’ by Bridget Collins at the beginning of lockdown and it was one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s an entirely fresh concept, told so beautifully and with real world issues. Amazing, highly recommend! Plus, the cover is just gorgeous.

15 What will you take from lockdown? Is there anything you’re grateful for or that you’ll do differently going forward?

I definitely feel that I will never take for granted the freedom to be able to go to an airport, get on a train or in the car, and be in a different place ever again! I feel grateful for having great friends and family and I will celebrate them and with them going forward, even when there’s no occasion! Don’t wait for a special occasion to open the bottle, wear the outfit, say the things…just do it!

16 Describe lockdown for you in three words. (E.g. life-changing, emotional, challenging).

Eye-opening, draining, focusing.