Marie is a French native that has been living in London for the past two years. She is passionate about art, music and rhythmic gymnastics which she practiced for over a decade at a national competitive level. She has recently graduated and is now modelling and doing an internship with Body London.
We caught up with Marie to find out about her life in isolation…
What does isolation look like where you live? How has your local community been affected?
I’m living in West London with my boyfriend, walking distance to Holland Park. The neighbourhood does have a real village feel and a true sense of solidarity. The pandemic has sadly affected the local community as family businesses, independent boutiques and bars have been imposed to close resulting in a depressing environment.
Thankfully some of them have managed to adapt themselves so I can support them by ordering my favourite Romana pizza from the local pizzeria and by grabbing my cappuccino at the coffee shop’s door on my short daily walk.
Can you talk us through your daily routine in isolation?
Honestly, I am not an early bird. I would usually wake up without an alarm around 8.30am and start my day after having eaten my sweet breakfast and drunk my morning coffee.
It really depends on the day, if I have work to do or not. Recently I have done a remote 3 months PR internship to challenge myself, learn and to keep myself busy. I have actually started a new one much more interesting to me within the modelling/fashion industry which I am really excited about.
Since the first lockdown my boyfriend and I have scheduled French and Italian speaking days and classes. It’s a way to gain new languages skills and break our routine.
In the evening after a 30 minute run, shower and dinner I would usually chill on the couch, read a book, watch a classical ballet or try to find a movie to watch on Netflix for hours until I realise that it’s already bedtime.
What are the biggest impacts the lockdown has had on your life?
The lockdown is really impacting my social life as I cannot see my friends and family. Most of my loved ones are back home in France and I haven’t seen them for a while now. It hurts me to celebrate birthdays and graduations via zoom.
Professionally, luckily, I have easily adapted to this new lifestyle dictated by the pandemic, attending to castings via FaceTime and working remotely.
What has been a silver lining from being in isolation?
One of the positive sides of this lockdown is not having to get into the stressful and loud London commute which allows me to have much more time available for myself.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learnt during this time?
As a control freak, this pandemic has taught me to live one day at the time as life can be so unpredictable. I have surely learned that health is the most important and precious thing of all that I will never ever take for granted.
What are your self-care tips at home?
Put your welfare first. The lockdown is not a productivity competition so take care of yourself from inside and out. Meditation, eating well at fixed hours and drink a lot of water can contribute to your well-being.
Where do you want to travel to when the restrictions are lifted?
I will definitely fly to France as soon as the restrictions will be lifted. First stop is the south of France to spend some family time and then Paris to see my friends and share a glass of wine with them “en terrasse de café”.
Transport yourself to December 2021, what would you like to have achieved this year?
This year I will be 25! I am so excited for 2021 and I am feeling positive for the future. I would like to continue to work and grow within the modelling industry and the management field. Hopefully by December 2021 I will be able to speak Italian.
