Poof! And just like that, it’s the first of May! It’s a Friday evening and my working day concluded with weekly staff drinks on Zoom. This has been our ritual for the past seven weeks and of course, an explanation as to why this is, isn’t required at all.

Our CEO foresaw this outcome very early on in the outbreak. In fact, she had primed us in early February to start looking at the feasibility of being able to continue our work if we were unable to get into the office.

After watching the Prime Minister’s pretty dismal briefing to the nation on 12 March, where he outlined what was to be expected in the coming weeks, the very next morning our CEO announced that we’d all be working from home (WFH), effective immediately. My office is somewhat touchy feely (in the most consensual manner, of course) and while we were already aware there was a slight chance that we’d be in this position, the abruptness was still a bit of a shock. The uncertainty of its end was what struck the most though. We embraced each other one by one as we left the office, taking whatever we needed for whatever length of time was necessary.

More companies opted to follow suit the following week and formal lockdown was finally imposed on 24 March. April passed by in a bit of a blur to be honest, with a pared down Easter thrown into the mix and now, here we are in May, with the extended lockdown period due to ‘end’ next week. I’m almost certain that doesn’t mean that normal life will be resumed immediately but there are many who are hoping that some of the restrictions will be relaxed.

I count myself to be very lucky and I mean very, very lucky. I have my own space, in which I am able to continue working and myself, family and friends are all in good health. We are in the technological age (otherwise, how would you get to read this blog, right?) so there isn’t a day that’s gone by that I haven’t been in touch with someone. I don’t have a gratitude journal but if I did, all of this paragraph would be on repeat during this time. I give thanks daily.

While finishing up my last post, I started to question my own authenticity though. I closed off speaking about the notion of exploring new options in trying to find my one, yet at the time I had already pretty much predetermined that I was going to avoid using the apps during this crisis. Prior to lockdown, I had already seen a slight increase in the number of new profiles but this has now risen exponentially. Many are incomplete, others are just outright screaming that when lockdown’s over, so is their profile.

From past experience, there were so many guys who seemed like they were simply using dating apps to pass the time. It’s a quick and easy way to fill the gaps in their daily lives and they have little regard for the people they are interacting with. I have no intention of falling victim to this, particularly when many us have found ourselves with extra time to spare, no intention whatsoever.

I’m not going to completely cut off my own nose. I have occasionally browsed through with an open mind but it’s going to take someone real special to encourage me to reach out right now. That’s not me being self-righteous but there’s enough stuff going on at the moment and the added mind games of a super-bored man-child don’t belong on my to do list.

The title of this post probably eludes to being quite a downbeat topic. In practise, yes I am in lockdown without having found the love of my life. In theory, it didn’t require lockdown for that to be my reality so instead of letting this fact add to the whirlwind of emotions I’ve already navigated, I’ve turned my focus to the things that I can control.

A good routine can do wonderful things for your outlook and state of mind. From the outset, I was determined to maintain my beneficial habits already established and to not let bad ones creep in. With my living room now doubling as my office, I ensure that there is a separation between working and relaxing by clearing away my laptop and paperwork every evening. Without the necessity of a daily commute, there’s a tendency to work longer hours, so keeping professional items out of my eyeline once I’ve logged off for the day helps to ensure that I properly switch modes and switch off.

For the most part, I haven’t disrupted my sleeping pattern, except for those pesky nights when my eyelids point blank refused to stay closed. Each morning, I put on a little make up, which is literally only three items but as minimal as this is, it truly does help me to feel ready to tackle the day ahead. I also get dressed every day, even on the weekends. While my yoga bottoms have more or less become my uniform, if I stay in my pyjamas all day, I’ll never escape the dream realm and then I really will lose track of days and even worse, purpose.

Eating and exercise patterns have fluctuated massively but I’ve consoled myself that there is a balance somewhere. I forgive myself for the days when I’ve had a little too much ice cream or couldn’t quite bang out the push ups like I did pre-lockdown. As long as I catch myself and rein it in the following day(s), then I’m doing better than if I did nothing at all. For me, the best way of enduring lockdown has become about trying to emulate normal norms in abnormal circumstances. And since there is absolutely nothing normal about the current time, a few lapses should be expected and embraced.

The title of this post stands because being single during this current state is simply a matter of fact but I can assure you, there are no pity parties here. Even to my own surprise, I’m riding out this period relatively well, which I’ve attributed to a combination of having already endured a difficult year in 2019 and honestly, at the moment there are far greater concerns than the matters of my own heart.

My only wish right now is that we can all come out of this okay – physically, emotionally and mentally. My future love will find me when it’s safe to do so.