Emily Atack reflects on being in lockdown alone insisting ‘Instagram-perfect isolation isn’t real’

Emily Atack has shared further thoughts about being single in lockdown in a column for Grazia magazine.

The comedienne and actress, 30, lamented not being able to indulge in her usual wine and cheese-filled Sunday routine with pals and that those conveying ‘Instagram-perfect isolation’ are not being truthful to their followers.

Insisting that she can’t complain about having to ‘sit around’, Emily also added that she is missing human contact and is allowing herself to feel sad when she feels alone.

‘Being alone has always been my number one fear!’ Emily Atack has shared further thoughts about being single in lockdown in a column for Grazia magazine

‘It has been three weeks since I have physically touched another human being. I am isolating alone in the London flat I recently moved into. Like so many, I have been in shock,’ she recounted. ‘I’ve woken up in the middle of the night with crushing anxiety like I’ve never experienced before. My internal monologue is already knackered.’

Emily admitted that ‘there have been good days and bad days’, but that she tries to call them ‘moments’.

She went on: ‘Being alone has always been my number one fear. And yet here I am. In the middle of a pandemic, completely isolated from everyone and everything I know and love.’

Emily is very close to her mother – actress Kate Robbins, who is also alone in lockdown – and revealed that she is sure to video chat her to pass the time, as well as ‘take little swipes at an online dating app I’ve rejoined out of sheer boredom’. 

Honest: Emily admitted that 'there have been good days and bad days', but that she tries to call them 'moments'

Honest: Emily admitted that ‘there have been good days and bad days’, but that she tries to call them ‘moments’

She went on: 'Being alone has always been my number one fear. And yet here I am. In the middle of a pandemic, completely isolated from everyone and everything I know and love'

She went on: ‘Being alone has always been my number one fear. And yet here I am. In the middle of a pandemic, completely isolated from everyone and everything I know and love’

The star also admitted she feels guilty at feeling sad and is ‘scared to vocalise a bad moment – especially on social media – with the fear of the reaction I’ll receive from those who insist my life is perfect’.

She concluded: ‘I am learning it’s OK to feel sad right now, it’s OK to admit you’re a bit alone, and it’s OK to feel s**t. Especially if you suffer with mental health issues. Give yourself a break. Instagram-perfect isolation is not a reality.’ 

The actress spoke to Lorraine Kelly last week on Good Morning Britain where she also revealed that getting glammed up for the supermarket makes her ‘feel better’. 

Emily said about coping with the lockdown alone: ‘I’m a very strong person, there’s definitely been some difficult moments being on your own. I’m the least lonely person in the world, surrounded by family and friends in real life.

‘It’s [the pandemic] so awful, we have to look at the positives in life. If we’ve got our health… it’s the most important thing in the world. Everything is so difficult, but if you have your health, friends and family, it’s good.’ 

Sun-kissed: Emily was sure to use the sunny weather as a reason to get outside amid lockdown over the weekend, showing off her freckles on Instagram

Sun-kissed: Emily was sure to use the sunny weather as a reason to get outside amid lockdown over the weekend, showing off her freckles on Instagram

She said: ‘Make sure your dressing gown doesn’t become your depressing down! There’s definitely days that I don’t want to put make-up on. It makes me feel better.

‘I now get glammed up to go to the local supermarket. I queue outside and stand the 2 metres. It’s like queuing up for a bar! I do get glammed up for the supermarket, it makes me feel better.’

Sharing the first thing she will do after the pandemic, Emily joked: ‘I’m going to the nearest pub! Obviously, I should say I want to hug my friends and family, but we can do that in the pub!’

'Difficult': Emily recently admitted that she's had some 'difficult moments' while self-isolating alone during the coronavirus pandemic

‘Difficult’: Emily recently admitted that she’s had some ‘difficult moments’ while self-isolating alone during the coronavirus pandemic 

'Strong person': Emily said about coping with the lockdown alone - 'I'm a very strong person, there's definitely been some difficult moments being on your own'

‘Strong person’: Emily said about coping with the lockdown alone – ‘I’m a very strong person, there’s definitely been some difficult moments being on your own’

Although the star importantly added that the NHS also needs credit, she said: ‘I think the first thing we all want to do is give the NHS a big hug, and say we couldn’t have got through this without them!’

It comes after Emily admitted she feels lonely while self-isolating and would ‘give anything to have a row with a husband right now’.

The actress told Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 5 Live that the current situation around the coronavirus pandemic is ‘bleak and miserable and awful’.

She said: ‘I’m just trying to use it all as another way of showing myself that I can cope and that I am capable and I am brave and strong.

‘I think at times like this you’ve got to appreciate everything you have, but you know, I’d give anything to have a row with a husband right now.’