It’s been a lovely week, hasn’t it? On Monday morning I submitted my dissertation and, just like that, I am no longer a student at the University of Hull. It’s a peculiar feeling, a mixture of relief, pride and antipathy. My recent ambivalence towards my University experience is well documented but it was still strange to bring this chapter of my life to a close by simply clicking a button on my computer screen whilst sitting in my bedroom, one hundred miles away from the place where it all began. I’m actually surprisingly happy with the end product of my dissertation, especially considering I managed to put it together in less than three weeks, and although I probably could have done a lot better if I’d spent as much time on it as I should have, I’m still proud of myself for getting it done when you consider how torturous I have found the whole experience. I’m currently experiencing a strange sense of nostalgic ambivalence – I will sort of miss Hull, but I’m not particularly bothered about leaving and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life, even if it looks set to be dominated by coronavirus. I celebrated that afternoon by going on a walk with a friend and taking pictures of beautiful scenery, something I’d never have imagined myself saying as an eighteen year old fresher, but here we are. 

I spent much of Tuesday in the garden. It was my first day free of the burden of University work and it was a strange sensation. Almost by default I’ve become accustomed to feeling guilty whenever I take time for myself because, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always had something else I should be doing; an essay for University, revision for A Levels, revision for GCSEs etc. For the first time in a very long time, I have the opportunity to do whatever I want and, although this summer looks set to be ruined by lockdown restrictions, there’s an overwhelming sense of relief running through me as I realise I won’t have to feel even a tinge of guilt. To that end, I spent Tuesday outside, reading my book and working on a piece of writing I’m slowly putting together. It felt good. 

I’ve been going on a lot of walks recently. I find walks extremely relaxing, especially in this weather, and it’s nice to go with someone else as there is ample opportunity for a catch up, which I’m in dire need of with almost all of my friends right now. On Wednesday afternoon I went on a jaunt with my darling Elia around the outskirts of Hilton & Etwall. Despite the fact that she constantly talks utter shit it was nice to find out what she’s been up to and have a good old fashioned natter. After taking my advice her family have stopped reading the Daily Mail and started getting The Times instead, which I’m immensely happy about. On Friday afternoon I took a stroll with an old friend and we stumbled across a quarry and several bodies of water, presumably from where they’ve dug previously. There were plenty of signs warning us to stay out but rules are made to be broken and we accordingly went for a little paddle. It was absolutely stunning, there was nothing around us except water and greenery, with the occasional sound of honking from the geese reminding us that we weren’t the only ones taking advantage of the lakes. Lockdown has been shit but my renaissance with nature is one of several silver linings to come from the experience. 

I spent yesterday with my gorgeous friend Samuel Morris. In the afternoon we went to the cash ‘n’ carry and the driving range and I was rather impressed that we managed to do both without having an argument. I love it at the driving range, it’s so peaceful up there and concentrating on my golf ability is a nice distraction from the current situation. There’s also something irresistibly sexy about Sam when he’s wearing a single white glove. In the evening we went round to his Auntie Lisa’s for some socially distanced drinkies with his family which, almost inevitably, was a rather strange experience – watching Uncle Rich attempting to smoke a joint in the garage whilst he was surrounded by his entire family is certainly a sight I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. I’m extremely glad lockdown is being relaxed slightly because it’s nights like these that I’ve missed most, when they’re spontaneous and random but incredibly good fun. I don’t think I stopped laughing for the entire night. I also received several compliments on my weight loss and I was happy to have the chance to show off my new slimline figure, although I did take the time to explain to everyone how challenging it is being unbelievably stunning, abnormally intelligent and absolutely hilarious all at the same time. It’s a curse I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. 

I wish to say something about current affairs and how politics is a funny business. The Prime Minister has spent a week trying to diffuse the row about Dominic Cummings and saw his popularity plummet as a result, yet on Thursday he announced gatherings of half a dozen people will now be allowed in back gardens and it all seems to have been forgiven in an instant. I must admit I’ve spent most of the week looking forward to the return of horse racing tomorrow so I won’t even try to pretend I hold some sort of moral high ground here, but it is genuinely incredible how ready we were to give up our freedom in return for (supposed) protection from the virus and, although it is a very serious situation, I can’t help but laugh as we all treat the return of a small garden party as though it is the second coming of Christ. Johnson’s Government must be held to account and it is scary to see senior ministers repeatedly weakening the democratic structures of this country, yet how are journalists meant to scrutinise them when the return of barbecue’s are heralded as some sort of miracle and people seem to care little about anything else? It has been assumed that the freedoms the Government took away from us will be returned when it is safe to do so, but I’m becoming increasingly worried that this won’t be the case, especially when the Prime Minister opted to destroy what little trust the people had in his Government in order to avoid having to sack an adviser who broke the rules he helped create and then lied about it on national television. By all means enjoy your barbecues, I certainly will, but just remember that the people in power right now have been caught lying to you this week, closed parliament down so no one can question them on it and then announced a release from lockdown to distract everyone. We shouldn’t let them get away with it. 

Top tip: don’t mix cider, wine and gin. The hangover is not worth it. Stay safe.