by Jenny Edwards, Unity Therapies January 2021
In the UK, we have been enduring the global pandemic that is Covid-19 since March 2020. With the vaccine programme having started we can finally turn our sights to the future and some hope of normality. Now, you could just return to your previous normal and not look back. However, it might be worth taking stock and thinking about the pace at which you do this as you might be impacted by the past year in more ways than you realise. Getting back to normal may be anxiety provoking, it may just be hard work getting back up to speed and seeing people may be more challenging than expected. It’s therefore important to take it careful and look after yourself in the process.
It might also help to take some time to reflect on the past year and think about what you’ve learnt, what changes you’ve made that you’ve liked and what changes you’d like to take forward with you. So what to take and what to leave behind, here’s some thoughts of my own:-
PACE OF LIFE – trying to keep a slower pace of life would be good maybe not a slow as in lockdown but there’s a lot to be said for not rushing here, there and everywhere all time time.
MORE TIME SPENT WITH LOVED ONES – when we’re busy working, commuting, running about here there and everywhere we don’t always get that quality time with our loved ones. Some have benefitted from getting that time like never before and have really enjoyed it. Of course, that’s not the case for everyone and for some this has been very difficult but that’s for another article.
TIME TO GET OUTSIDE – going for a daily walk, jog, run or bike ride became the only exercise available. Some people were discovering their own neighbourhoods for the first time ever. Getting outside became the make or break to a good day. It wasn’t just walking or bike rides, those fortunate to have gardens had more time to tend to them and also spend more time outside.
GETTING TO KNOW OUR NEIGHBOURS – rather than all coming and going at different times, people have been around at the same time and had more time to connect, ironically, made easier by a shared problem or events such as clapping for the NHS.
TIME FOR HOBBIES/CREATIVITY – almost everyone made banana bread in the first lockdown, even those who had never baked a bean before. I’m sure many others got back into old hobbies or found new interests.
MORE ‘ME’ TIME – you may have been lucky to have more time to meditate, reflect inwards, follow your dreams, forgive yourself, close doors on the past, find your inner child & inner mystic.
ONLINE CONTACT / OPPORTUNITIES – whilst there may be some downsides to technology we can’t deny that technology has made being apart more bearable as we can be together online. The phone is great but many families have been able to see each other as well through various online video chat. Work and job retention has been able to continue at home due to technology. Education, training & others such as churches have quickly learnt how to deliver classes online. Group chats to keep together have increased and provided people with community, support, compassion and humour – so many funny images and video keeping spirits high. Some of these things aren’t how we’d like things to continue in the future, some will continue to be used but not as the main form of contact and some won’t continue at all. The trick with technology is picking what suits you and ditching what doesn’t, eg. I find online video groups hard work after too many group meetings at work.
APPRECIATION FOR THINGS WE TOOK FOR GRANTED – we developed a much greater appreciation for the NHS; shop workers; postmen; teachers; local businesses & doorstep deliveries such as milkmen; delivery drivers and on the downside in the first lockdown we really appreciated how much road and air traffic impacts our environment.
For me and my counselling practice, I already offered online counselling pre-pandemic, but it wasn’t taken up by many, usually when people were travelling but could still wanted their appointment or struggling for one reason or another to get to the room for the appointment time. Since March all my sessions have been online and clients are taking to it really well. There’s no commute; they find a comfortable space in their own homes; they can have tea or coffee where I only offer water in my room; and we’re able to connect really well.
Jenny Edwards, Unity Therapies unitytherapies@gmail.com