Shops and spas are open again and we’re meeting friends and family and making teeny tiny plans in our minds about what we might do to finish off this summer.

However, while I am relieved that things are picking up, I still feel a slight sense of grief. I am having lockdown regrets, thinking of all the things I planned to do and hoped to achieve in hibernation that may never come to pass.

Thinking back to the beginning of lockdown, you might remember starting to do some of the things you had been putting off: fixing up the house, finishing that puzzle, baking fresh breads for the family or improving your fitness.

Many of us had so much time every day. We had time to exercise, time to chat with friends, plenty of time for webinars and virtual workshops and lots of time for reading.

And now, as the spare time begins to dwindle — replaced with social functions and other things — I realise I will never get to some of the tasks I set to complete and it fills me with regret.

It might seem useless but there is a sort of loss for the things we didn’t do during lockdown; not just personal goals but family and work-related items as well. When lockdown began we were thrown into a state of “what’s next?” And, for some of us, big plans began to form.

My thoughts went to throwing myself into reorganising different parts of the house, enhancing my fitness regime, finishing my diamond puzzle and posting workout videos.

I also regret the things I didn’t do more of. I joined in with some webinars during lockdown but I actually wanted to run my own which, I haven’t quite accomplished yet.

Suddenly the world is opening up again and some of our plans will never come to fruition. Recent statistics state that more than half of us feel we spent too much time on social media or watching TV, which prevented us from doing the things we wanted to; instead of kettlebells there was Tiger King.

However, some of the things you didn’t accomplish during lockdown are still doable. The first step to coping with the regret is to decide if you really do want to do the things you initially wanted to complete.

After all, it’s not like we’re in a complete reversal of lockdown. Many of us still have more time on our hands than we did before the pandemic. So start that project, or get back into walking again. It may take a little longer now that you are busier but you can do it.

Also remember to congratulate yourself about the things you actually completed. While you might not have learnt to play the piano, taken up painting or accomplished your fitness goals, you cooked daily meals for your family and likely spent more time with them than you have in years. And that is something to be grateful for!

Start that project and B-Active For Life!

• Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Look for B. ActiveForLife on Facebook