Starting a new job can always be a little daunting, exciting and a little nerve-wracking at the best of times. So you can imagine the feelings and thoughts that were going through my mind starting a new job in the middle of the COVID – 19 pandemic, and to have my first day and introduction to the team done remotely was definitely a little out of the ordinary.

Thankfully I had already met some members of the team in person before accepting the role, so the initial anxiety of seeing everyone on webcam and meeting new people was somewhat eased. Everyone has made me feel so welcome through our constant video calls and catch-ups at least twice a day, which has made me feel like I'm part of the family. We even hosted a virtual baby shower for Izzy (our designer at Truly), which was a lovely thing to do since we can't all be together at the office. Now, I’m coming into my third week of working remotely and I’ve really enjoyed getting stuck into my new role, planning new content, getting to grips with all of our wonderful stock, strategies for visual content, working closely with Ed, our Social Media Coordinator as well as bringing a little bit of my passion and vision for our social channels.

I already feel like I’m part of the family. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in an Easter Giveaway and have seen first-hand how we managed to give away, completely free, thousands of bath powders to NHS workers as a thank you for all that they are doing for us on the frontline.

Well, the first few weeks were less than ideal, somehow, I was hungrier than ever, hosted a lot of Zoom calls, and toasted my friends with a few glasses of gin and tonic. I even got all dressed up and had a FaceTime date! I proceeded to eat everything in sight and had no motivation to work out, all I saw on social media was ’30 minute HIIT workout at home’ or ‘Bodyweight HIIT’ and I just couldn’t motivate myself to do much. In the outside world, I live a pretty active lifestyle, I have memberships to two gyms, I like going to boot camps and lifting weights, I also regularly attend dance classes, so this loss in motivation with exercise was out of the ordinary and really demoralising. In hindsight, I think It was more of a coping mechanism for all the uncertainty I felt. Somehow getting outside of the house was more of a need and I made sure I went on my daily walk every day, even if it was to the end of the road and back. If I didn’t make myself walk even just a few meters, I felt claustrophobic. It’s so strange how we react to something when we are told we cannot do it as freely as we once used to. I’m happy to report that whilst my body and mind adjusted to the change in circumstance I have now been exercising again. Before lockdown, I had borrowed some dumbbells from a friend, purchased some resistance bands, and hired a PT to take me through sessions virtually. I already feel so much better and a little bit more like ‘me’ although I’m not putting any unnecessary pressure on myself. I think now more than ever it is so important to let yourself feel and deal with the situation as best as you can, accept it and make changes to things that have bothered and upset you without expectations.

I am guilty of always being on the move, so much so that I frequently neglect to practice self-care. However, since being introduced to our beauty products, I will 100% be making time to use them as they smell A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and leave your skin so smooth and moisturised.

I'm also experimenting with new dishes and salads and getting creative with our wonderful Servewear! Last weekend, I BAKED MY FIRST BANANA BREAD. This could be down to my team and I discussing the things we were up to during lockdown in one of our daily chats, trying to keep each other sane and checking in on each other's mental health, we really have become close and it's so nice to have this support system, especially as a new starter! It makes the days in Isolation go faster. During one of our catch-ups we even spent 20 minutes talking about how marmalade goes well with Weetabix, emulating office style banter. It most definitely DOES NOT ( Sorry Ed).

The girls kept discussing all of their wonderful creations and bakes and I decided I would give it a go and get involved. I do not bake, I am not a baker I have never enjoyed baking – But, at Truly we all have a collective love for food and cooking, so I finally gave in to the banana bread baking trend during lockdown. I followed a Nigella Lawson recipe (picked because the recipe calls for sultanas to be soaked in rum beforehand) and it was delicious and I was so proud I made the same loaf again 4 days later!

We are all doing the best we can to cope in the current circumstances and I feel so lucky to be able to work with such wonderful, welcoming people and using this extra time I have to slow down and better myself. Of course, I miss my routine, family, and friends, but we will meet again and I will make sure to hug them that little tighter.

Mags, Social Media Manager, and part-time banana bread maker.