Lockdown has been a whirlwind of emotional, physical, and mental states. I am not the only one with this sentiment, I believe, writes Faye Tunnicliffe.

In a time where going to the shops for groceries has become one of the greatest adventures of the week, it has been significantly easier to change into something more socially acceptable to wear than to change the state of the mind and body – two entities which, in the game of cricket, are fundamental to performance. 

As an athlete, motivation and determination have proven themselves scarce at times, and understandably so. When the majority of us told ourselves we would use this lockdown time wisely and to our advantage to change our lives and/or lifestyles, to be in the same space for the best part of four months, while trying to make the most of it, can prove to be intensely challenging.

The truth is this, in a time where we cannot change the space around us, we must change the state within us. Snoozing the alarm clock first thing on a Monday morning became the norm, because, in lockdown, there is no difference between this morning and tomorrow morning. Right?

Wrong! The difference is “YOU”.

You are the difference between today and tomorrow. 

“I can just do it tomorrow” is the most dangerous headspace I could have gotten myself into during this lockdown – and it did happen. It happened with exercise, reading, meditation, college work and even contacting loved ones to see how they were doing.

But that is okay. I needed that to happen to me. One of my favourite metaphors is: “the arrow that needs to be pulled back before it can shoot forward.”

I had to acknowledge that telling myself that I had time, was, in fact, my biggest waste of time. Before I knew it, I had been in lockdown for two weeks and hardly lifted a finger to tackle any of the tasks I had set out for myself. I stumbled across a quote that reads: “What can you do today that your future self will thank you for?” 

And that is when I realised that this lockdown could be the greatest set-up for real life after COVID-19, because this too shall pass. 

I turned my views inward and started taking time for deep introspection. The realisation that I am fully responsible for my mind and body’s states during this time was both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. So, each day I made and effort to do some form of introspection, no matter the quantity. 

Fitness to me is, not only compulsory but imperative. In my opinion, it is the greatest teller of hard work, grit, and determination (that is probably just the sportsperson in me talking). This has been one of my biggest focal points, alongside meditation, during the lockdown.

I have had many inventive moments that have led me to push my body and my mental state. From pushing the car for leg strength to attempting handstands for shoulder strength. I learnt a lot about myself – including the fact that I am not the most talented ‘hand-stander’ ever. Most importantly, however, I learnt that excuses will always be there, but opportunities might not be. 

Much like lockdown, Cricket is a game that requires resilience and patience. Lockdown has allowed me the opportunity to develop discipline in the pursuit of a successful Cricket career.

It is in that light that I now view lockdown as an opportunity to set up for better things to come, and not a setback taking me further from my goals.