Up and at it – what is your new morning routine? How has it changed?
Morning isn't morning for me without caffeine and that has always been the same, but since lockdown, I have been giving myself a half-hour of 'me' time before the rest of the house gets up. I'll stop off for a large Americano on the school run.
What might you eat in a typical working day for...Breakfast?
Toast and crunchy peanut butter (it has to be the crunchy variety).
Lunch?
Lunch will most likely be a tuna salad and sweet potato wrap.
Evening meal?
Chicken teriyaki stir-fry with noodles.
Have you been able to work from home – if so, how have you found it?
Lockdown was horrific for actors and creatives, but I count myself so lucky that I was able to work remotely as a coach in my life coaching company called Thrive, otherwise I may have lost the plot. I did quite a lot of free content live and shared my reality within the coronavirus madness. My business has grown and I'm now a wizard on Zoom, hosting online courses and helping my clients succeed and smash their goals.
Best/easiest lockdown meal?
I'm a terrible baker, so while all these other super mums were making banana bread and scones, I was making healthy pizzas or wraps. The kids loved them, though, and it all required very little skill. My kids started cooking during lockdown and can now rustle up a mean Thai curry and home-made veggie soup. In fairness, my husband is a great cook, so I don't have to worry about dinners when I'm doing the show and away in the evenings from 5pm.
Weekend treat?
Doesn't everyone have takeaway on Saturday? Asian, Indian or Chinese... I love them all.
How have you kept physically and mentally fit during lockdown?
I practised gratitude daily and I did a lot of running and walking the dog. Online yoga and meditation were also part of my routine.
What has been your daily outdoor exercise?
Running - for me, it's not just physical exercise, it is my mental health workout.
How do you relax?
I relax by putting my phone down and cuddling up on the sofa with my precious family.
Teetotal or tipple?
Tipple - I'm a fan of liquid cake... Prosecco is my favourite, but I am fond of funky flavoured gin.
What book are you currently reading?
A book by Jordan Peterson called 12 Rules For Life: An Antidote to Chaos.
Best Netflix?
Recently, my favourite Netflix has been Nine Perfect Strangers, based on the 2018 novel by Liane Moriarty.
Most surprising thing you've learned about yourself?
I have fully realised that I have so much more power over my day-to-day happiness than I ever thought I had. That has been liberating.
On a scale of one to 10, where have you been in relation to cabin fever and where are you now?
I've been at every number on the scale, but the fever has definitely lifted. Home-schooling two primary school children was certainly an interesting journey which took me to the number 10 multiple times a day, sometimes. When I got over the intense need to tick all the boxes from the kids' teachers, that elevated the pressure I was putting on myself. If I'm honest, the kids dealt with lockdown like absolute queens. They put me to shame; their ability to live in the moment was something they taught me to do better.
What are the three things you missed most during the beginning of lockdown?
My mum - she's my best friend and Mother's Day through a window was really horrible. I missed the theatre - it was the last place I was before lockdown happened. I went to the Lyric to see Shirley Valentine the Sunday before it was announced. I was so excited to get back to the theatre and am beyond excited to be on the stage again this Christmas. Live theatre is an absolute gift. And I missed being out to get my daily takeaway coffee - my daily habitual treat to myself.
Where will you go and what will you do when restrictions are fully lifted?
Travel - airplanes will be a regular mode of transport. There's so much to see in this wonderful world and I have only scratched the surface. Holidays and city breaks will be the focus for 2022. I'm excited for my daughter to go skiing with school in January - in fact, I'm a little jealous because I've never been skiing myself.
Biggest gripe?
People not lifting their dog's poo.
Have your priorities in life or perspectives changed?
I am so much more focused now on taking responsibility and action in the areas of life that fulfil me most: spending time with family, making plans with friends and serving my clients in Thrive. It is about streamlining and giving energy to what I want to do, as opposed to having 'the disease to please'.
Any new skills or hobbies?
Yes, I Iearned to horse-ride with my two gorgeous girls, which was blissful. I also went back to playing hockey after 25 years.
What would you like to see change for good when this is all over?
I hope this experience has realigned people to the basic fundamental need we have as human beings: connection and love.
Has coronavirus changed your attitude towards your own mortality?
It has made me value every heartbeat and accept the reality that we only have a certain number of heartbeats gifted to us. But, if I'm honest, death still terrifies me.
:: Claire Connor is appearing in Jingle All the Hairspray: A Christmas Hairytale by Caroline Curran at the Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey, until December 31. theatreatthemill.com
