Conor McDowell: Life is tough enough, so just be kind

I waken up around 7am and check my work emails and social media - checking for any updates in relation to the health service. I normally have an early morning meeting about 8am and it lasts until around 8.30am, so that is always part of my routine before I head into the office - usually with a coffee in hand.

I'm not a breakfast person, so typically I just have coffee at my desk.

Lunch will usually consist of a salad from the hospital shop.

I try hard to cook an evening meal from scratch during the week and I do this most nights. However, if work is particularly busy, I would pick up one of the 'healthy option' ready meals from M&S, as they usually have a good selection. At the weekend, I like to treat myself to a takeaway and my favourite is chicken curry from the Chinese.

Yes, it is more important now that it has ever been. I have lost a lot of weight over the past five years and it's a struggle now to keep it off, so I do try to watch what I'm eating.

Up until recently, I was working on the frontline as a specialist nurse in the Belfast Trust, so I definitely wasn't working from home. However, I have recently been promoted to senior manager for sexual and reproductive health and, in this role, I have the option of working from home. I prefer not to, though, as I find myself procrastinating when I'm at home. I enjoy the company of colleagues and the office is a great social atmosphere.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that my weekend treat would be a good bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

I walk to and from work every day and I also love an evening walk around the incredible Titanic Quarter. Getting out and about is something I have embraced more over the pandemic and it's something that will be staying in my life. It's great for headspace.

I am very familiar with dieting and I am currently on a calorie-deficit diet. I have had some success, but also some failure. I think it's important not to be too harsh on yourself when it comes to diets, as some days are always going to be better than others.

I socialise a lot and spend a lot of time with people who make me happy. I hate just doing nothing, so being out with friends is my 'happy' place. Socialising helps me distress and relax - which is very important, given my line of work.

Tipple, please.

I'm enjoying The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II by Karen Dolby. The Queen has the most amazing sense of humour and I'm secretly obsessed by her.

I'm going to be so boring and say I don't enjoy watching TV - I have a poor attention span and end up eating junk food.

That self-doubt will always be there but that I can achieve anything I put my mind to.

To embrace every opportunity and say 'Yes' a whole lot more. Maybe work a little less, too.

I normally don't go to bed before midnight and often it will be well into the early hours. I definitely don't get enough sleep. And TikTok definitely doesn't help...

I have many memories of PE sports and they often involve me finding someone to write a 'pretend' note from my mum to say I forgot my PE gear... I absolutely hated PE.

It has to be bad manners. I have absolutely no time for bad manners and people being rude. Life is tough enough, so just #BeKind

Lift.

I have taken up walking during the pandemic. I used to hate it and now I am dependent on it, in order to get through my day. I absolutely love walking and I'm now thinking of joining a group to meet new people.

I am definitely going to travel a lot more. If this has taught me anything, it's that life has so much to offer and that I'm in control. I don't think I've travelled enough and I'm determined to change that.

Yes, without a doubt. As a nurse, I've always known how precious life is, but this pandemic has made me even more acutely aware of that fact. It has forced me to think of my own mortality and the mortality of my family. I am very grateful we are all well.