12/03/2021
Friday already....? Where has the week gone?! Continuing with the International Women's Day theme throughout this week, I'd like to introduce you to the final lovely lady of the week. Answering the questions today is Debbie Cobbett Singer/Entertainer from Southsea.
A huge thank you to all the inspiring women who have shared their stories this week(there maybe more next week😁) Remember that we are all important in this life and each story is special, because your are special. Have a great weekend.💪❤
⭕ How has Covid and Lockdown affected your lifestyle?
Prior to 2020 I worked professionally as a self employed singer and entertainer – pubs, clubs, restaurants, private events, care homes etc. You name it, I'd sing at it if I could. Then at the start of 2020 clients were suddenly cancelling events because of this new pandemic sweeping the globe. I was literally watching my diary of work and earnings dissolve before my eyes (as were all other people in the industry, and I'm sure most self employed people in all other fields) and the feeling of fear and nausea right to the bone because of literally not knowing what was going to happen was one I think I'll remember for the rest of my life. Would I pay the mortgage? And then because of my existing health conditions I'd start to panic - Would I get sick and die? Would I lose my mum and dad? It was very difficult to try put things into any kind of perspective for a long time, and with life as we know it being stopped and so many restrictions put in place it was like nothing I could have ever really imagined.
⭕ Has it affected your health mentally or physically?
During the back end of 2019 I had a cancer scare and lost a dramatic amount of weight, which continued into mid 2020. It turned out to as a result of the wrong diabetic medication, which is now controlled by insulin but it meant being less active from not gigging regularly – i.e. no hauling equipment about, standing around and dancing for 2-3 hours a night etc. - and as a result I gained a lot of weight quickly. Also boredom, stress, and the new routine of weekend Zoom “pub” nights contributed to the birth of some bad habits and home-measures of alcohol (pint glasses are for wine as well as beer right?..) so a lot of bad habits started. BUT equally, because of not working as much (or at all at times) I was able to increase my physical activity again once my diabetes was controlled properly and I regained my strength and stamina. I went back to walking 5km, 10k, 15km. Cycling 20 miles, even doing some at home cardio. Not so much for weight loss (although that would be nice) but more because I wanted to ensure my BG's remain as controlled as possible.
⭕ What has kept you going/motivated through lockdown?
Being able to do “online” gigs – be they via Zoom, or Facebook Live shows has really been what kept me motivated at the start of lockdown #1 particularly. Then when restrictions began to be eased last summer there was a glimmer of hope with some work – albeit only ever outdoor and completely weather dependant – but it became an opportunity to do what I love, and what makes me ME once more so I took advantage of everything I possibly could because I think we all knew, despite government reassurances at the time that things were on the up, it was going to come crashing back down again...
⭕ Who is your Girl Hero?
In all honesty it's my mum. She is 70 years old – her 70th birthday was in May last year so slap bang in the middle of the first lockdown and we celebrated by sitting in the back garden – me on the lawn, her on the patio – with a small bottle of prosecco each and some cheese scones.
She has to take care of my elderly father who is very disabled now due to his diabetes and other various related medical conditions, plus severe cataracts leaving him almost blind. She takes everything in her stride, even going through cancer ten years ago and barely making any fuss – just getting in with life becase that's what she does. She has been an absolute pillar of strength to Dad, to all her friends during lockdown, and especially to me because she's always there at the end of the phone for anyone having a wobble, and I can only aspire to be as strong as her.
⭕ What advice would you give your 18 year old self?
I think the best thing I could say is stop worrying about what other people think! Although I'm guilty of that even now! Back then I saw myself as never amounting to anything because I was short, fat, and wore glasses. I didn't think I'd ever be worthy of doing a job I actually wanted to do, and settled in mindless desk jobs for far too long because I never had the guts to at least try and do what I wanted. I thought I looked wrong, I'd never be taken seriously blah blah. Thank GOD there was no Instagram or Facebook around back then or I'd have been even worse, but I do believe most of us grow more comfortable with who we are/how we look as we get older and get more used to “us”. It just takes time.
⭕ How important is IWM Day to me?
We may jokingly refer to ourselves as “the coven” from time to time, but – now more than ever – a support network of girlfriends is vital for getting through life's twists and turns. We live in a world where men are still paid more in certain roles, where men are regarded as the better choice to hire for certain professions (or if this is not true, then it certainly still seems that way) but after things like movement, women are finally being recognised NOT as a lesser citizen, or “eye candy” or “feminist” if you choose to have an opinion on something chauvinistic. It's a celebration of the achievements of women as equals. As People.
⭕ What's the best thing we can do for other women?
Women can be guilty of saying something nice to someone and then saying something else behind their backs. I've done it over the years, and I'm absolutely not proud of it. But most of the time it's a result of our own insecurities in life, and IWM day to me is a chance to actually celebrate positivity around women for the goals they're achieving – whether that's getting married to the man of their dreams, having children, NOT having children, starting a business, giving up work, losing weight, gaining weight, buying their first house, ending a relationship, quitting smoking etc.
Whatever it is that makes us feel happy and great about ourselves, why shouldn't we brag? We should be empowering and celebrating with each other and not feeling jealous or as though we are failing because we're not doing the same thing. No two people are the same, and no two successes/achievements will be the same. That said, we can do more to support each other mentally and emotionally when we do feel a sense of failure, but try and turn it away from being a negative. It's more often just a bump in the road.
