COVID-19: the only news everyone is hearing right now. The UK is in partial lockdown now, with people allowed to be outside for the most essential needs: buying food and essentials, caring for the sick, and limited exercise for once a day It was a drastic change from me. I was out and about almost every day, at home practically for food and sleep. In less than a week, I am suddenly home practically 24 hours a day. Regardless to say it was confusing, depressing and difficult the first week, then it gets easier once I navigate the situation and learn what to do by myself. Needless to say, I was being slightly grumpy, and feeling down for a whole week.
Then I heard stories from other people: a friend who got made redundant, people who are sick, people who don’t have food, people who are financially struggling, people with mental health issues, people who can’t get enough food, homeless people who don’t have shelter…. and feeling extremely petty about myself. I have the privilege to work from home, food to eat, and shelter. I have been healthy. I have an amazing support system around me, friends and colleagues who are checking on me and taking care of me as much as they can.
One of my biggest bugbear in this life is that I seem to never have enough time. Suddenly I have lots of time to do whatever I never had the time to do! So finally, getting my sewing machine out and learning how to machine sew for the first time today, getting out and finally being ahead on my marathon running plan, and finally also updating this blog! What not to love. Extra naps are also much welcomed!
NHS is stretched – but I think this situation has raised some awareness too on the importance of NHS and key workers – the nation went on a social-media organised clap on Thursday evening. It’s not helping, at least not yet, since the NHS is still suffering, but maybe something good will come out at the end.
That’s how I cope. That’s how I see this situation. I realised that at this point probably there’s nothing I can change about the situation – but good things can still come out of it. There’s always a silver lining in everything, and gratefulness never hurts.