A Recollection of Lockdown and How it Helped Me Broaden My Horizons

At the grand old age of 27 years and 7 months, I learned that my life was going to change drastically; it was time to pivot direction. I, like most of the people on this rotating planet, had been through various trials of lockdown, isolation, furlough, and confusion, during the first year’s bloom of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I baked, albeit poorly, sourdough bread and whisked up Dalgonia coffee to occupy my time. I set up an entirely unsuccessful DEPOP shop. I Skyped friends for pseudo pub quizzes and consumed consecutive hours of TIKTOK (“Here comes the boy”, goblin voice edition) cat videos. I rode my bike for hours, I figured it was safer than running. Like some hipster crone, my subconscious imagined a lurking-outdoor miasma which wouldn’t be able to catch me if I peddled through it quickly. Lol. I’ve had COVID at least once already and am now waiting on a PCR test to be delivered for round two (Ding - Ding)!

Every year, during the summer, I involve myself in a free global ‘Art and Seek’ hunt, named Game of Shrooms. During the 1st lockdown, I sculpted several porcelain fungi to leave around public venues such as parks and walkways in the city of Newcastle Upon-Tyne for others to find (they were sanitised don’t worry!)

I collected hundreds of beer and pop can ring pulls for my sister's birthday present to make a chain necklace. Want to have a go yourself? Follow this link.

It was around this time that I began to investigate further education. I had completed a degree several years ago in Fine Art, but this new expanse of lockdown time had provided me with the space to explore what I was interested in with renewed perspective and clarity:

Who am I?

What do I value?

What do I want to do with the rest of my life?

No hard feat to answer. So, I started with the basics, what I knew for certain.

I see myself as an artist who values creative communication through varied mediums.

Through this mindset, I began to investigate apprenticeships enmeshed in creative communication. I knew I wanted to have a blended learning style, learn it in theory then do it in practice so my dyslexic brain could best retain new information. It would allow me to be creative and build on my skills while earning a wage to support myself.

Digital Marketing and Content Production stood out almost immediately to me. It was something I had had a little experience in, running a personal Instagram art account, and later a community urban garden account. I loved the ingenious way content is designed to attract attention, I wanted to know more…

The following few months were a big upheaval for me as I began my new life in Manchester. Once there I applied to the ‘Juice Academy’ to begin my career in digital marketing, after a successful interview I was able to apply to businesses taking on apprentices. ‘Property Academy’ caught my eye; I enjoyed how the company was rooted in education and providing opportunities for businesses to advance in their abilities. I landed the role. Celebrations ensued.

It all just goes to show that there’s always an exciting opportunity just around the corner. I’ll always be an artist but I'll also be a Junior Content Producer too. It’s been rewarding to experience the cross-pollination of these different creative occupations, with one profession enhancing the other. Check out the Juice Academy if you're considering taking on an apprenticeship and using your creative skills in a wholly different way!

.

.

.

#lockdownlife #lockdownsummerinthecity #digitalmarketingapprentice #juniourcontentproducer