Like many of us, Josh Cuthbert has found lockdown a battle at times.
"I have previously tackled some mental health issues of mine for quite some time now," says the former Union J singer. "Lockdown has almost felt like I have taken two steps back again."
Many people have experienced mental health struggles over a frequently overwhelming period: "good days and bad days", as Cuthbert says.
Don't be afraid to seek support and speak to friends or family – even if those conversations take place remotely.
"I want people to know they’re not alone with feeling like this," Cuthbert says. "We are all in this together."
And together, we'll all come out the other side.
Life
What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?
I have a few things in the pipeline that I am excited about, quite a few of them have been put on hold due to Covid-19, but nonetheless some exciting projects.
I was announced as the UK men’s Givenchy ambassador for 2020 and have some really exciting stuff planned with them, trips, events and product launches.
I am also working on my health and fitness and sharing my home workouts with followers online.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
This is a tough one, but I would probably say reaching number 1 in the singles charts when I was in the band Union J.
I remember hearing Scott Mills on BBC’s Radio 1 announce it and then looking on iTunes and seeing our song at number 1 on there too was an incredible feeling.
I grew up wanting to one day have a song that does well in the charts, so it was literally a dream come true.
If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
Since leaving the band I was in, I haven’t continued to sing too much and that frustrates me a bit because singings my passion. However, I had some other things I wanted to explore and dedicate my time to.
I also think I would live in the moment more and live each day in the industry as if it was my last. I think I would have really appreciated every single moment more.
What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?
I hope to one day own a successful business, I would love to do something unique in the fitness space and I’m also interested in one day having my own fashion line.
I would also like to explore more opportunities in the entertainment industry, there are some television shows I would love to do and challenge myself to do, they also help the public get to know me more.
Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?
I grew up being obsessed with music and being in a band. I remember listening to Oasis with my Dad when I was very young and remember singing my heart out to every single song.
I always wanted to be in a band of some sort and sing on stage in front of thousands of people. Oasis were definitely a big inspiration for me.
Tell us something nobody knows about you...
I lost half my thumb in an air rifle accident with my grandad when I was 15. YES it hurt like hell!
Lockdown
How are you finding lockdown?
When lockdown was announced, I was actually strangely quite excited to have a chance to stay at home with my wife. We have recently bought a house so I thought it would be a great time to get all the house bits done that we haven’t managed to do yet!
However as the weeks have gone on I have started to struggle more, like many of us have. I have previously tackled some mental health issues of mine for quite some time now and lockdown has almost felt like I have taken two steps back again.
In a nutshell....I have some good days and some bad days. Lockdown isn’t easy and I want people to know they’re not alone with feeling like this, we are all in this together.
Best thing about lockdown?
It’s got to be the fact we can all wear comfy tracksuits more often.
Worst thing about lockdown?
I think like many of us, I am missing going to the pub, bars and restaurants, socialising with friend and family over a drink. Drink always tastes better with good food!
Top tip for surviving lockdown?
• Take every day as it comes.
• Set yourself some tasks to do every day (so then you feel like you have achieved something).
• Call friends & family, check in with people you haven’t spoken to in a while or who are on their own and do quizzes over Zoom. (If you’re not bored of them yet.)
• Find some series to watch. There’s so many good ones ok Sky TV and Netflix (Gangs of London, The Last Dance, Killing Eve).
If you could be locked down with one person, alive or dead, who would it be?
It would be my wife Chloe, I have been with her for five and a half years now and I genuinely love that lady more each day!
I mean if I could be on lockdown with a footballer for like one of the days in the week that would be cool.....someone like Ronaldo (the Brazilian one). Just so I can pick his brains and ask him what it was like being him.
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