Lockdown Blessings
We won’t forget 2020 in a hurry will we! It was Brexit, Donald Trump almost starting WW3 with Iran, and then… COVID-19. The virus that’s taken the world by storm, killing thousands, immobilizing millions and terrifying billions.
Our health, economy, livelihoods and potentially relationships are suffering, but what positives can we take from it? Blessings if you will.
I for one already feel a twinge of nostalgia when looking back on lockdown; the quiet, the simplicity, the opportunity of how to spend the day, and the possibility of creativity. Most notably, however, I’ll miss the absence of guilt; not having to be somewhere, at a particular time, looking a certain way, not having to fit everyone and anyone in on a routine basis. Trying my hardest to be a good friend, daughter, grand-daughter, daughter-in-law, niece, sister, Auntie, all while being the best Mum 24/7, running a business, keeping a house, eating healthily and making sure I get enough exercise... First world problems I admit, but overwhelming none the least.
A few of my favourite take-aways below, add and delete as you like!
Quality Time
When have we ever been granted so much time to spend with our family unit? Modern day living is so fast-paced that quality time with our loved ones is considered a rarity; let’s grasp this opportunity while it lasts. And continue the principle into our new norm.
Productivity
I think it’s safe to say everyone’s cars are clean, cupboards are organised and gardens have been weeded, would you agree? With the current limitations on venturing out, leaving us at home for 23 hours of the day, we’ve all seemed to be get stuck into some life admin. All those to-do list tasks that have been getting stale have finally been attacked.
Productivity was at an all-time high, and we even seemed to be enjoying it at the new leisurely pace.
Contributions
I wonder how many tonnes of clothes, books, toys, electricals, furniture, and general household items have since been dropped into charity shops? I’d hazard a guess that every household has “turned out” at least one cupboard since lockdown began. It’s been the perfect time to declutter our homes.
Ker-Ching!
Impulse purchases, remember them!? I for one was a sucker for a deal and a cleverly placed trolley addition. Having not left the village at one point for 3 weeks however, I’d be very interested to know how much money I saved. Out of sight out of mind, I didn’t even miss it.
Taking away the option for on-the-go food and coffee has shown many of us how unnecessary they really are. No we don’t need a latte every time we go for a walk, and eating out for breakfast or lunch is lovely, but it’s a treat, not a given. I’m sure habits will have changed since the new status quo began.
Community
The volunteering, well-wishes, kindness and gestures of compassion have inundated the country. Not only for the NHS workers, but for neighbours, lonely relatives and people in need. Being restricted to our local areas for exercise has also meant we’re meeting the people in our near vicinity; I’ve now met many of the residents from my village whom I’d never have bumped into normally. Everyone is “checking in” and actually talking from across the street!
Creativity
I don’t know if you’re aware but Facebook, Instagram, and without a doubt TikTok, have been thriving with upbeat and creative content… It’s everywhere! Some may find it annoying but at least people aren’t resigned to their sofas. Adults and children alike are choreographing dances, acting, exercising and getting crafty every which way you look.
Home Education
With millions of families home-schooling across the world at the moment, it’ll be interesting to see what characteristics and skills this generation of children will have gained. Will they be more creative in their learning techniques? Will they be more resourceful having had to utilise what’s already in their homes? Will they be more equipped for real-life situations having spent more time learning beside Mum and Dad?
I also wouldn’t be surprised to see an influx in teacher training courses being undertaken once the Corona dust has settled; I believe there will be lots of parents discovering their love of teaching right about now. There will no doubt be a large chunk of parents who are discovering their dislike for it however… And that’s where the “live” initiatives come into play! The nation has been gratefully letting “PE with Joe”, “Ben Fogle’s Adventure Class”, David Walliams story time, Carol Vordeman’s “The Maths Factor”, and “Mylene’s Music Klass” cover some topics.
Let’s not forget all the hard work and efforts from our teachers though, putting together curriculums, learning support, and helping in any which way they can to ensure their pupils’ learning hasn’t suffered.
Take a Break
Looking past the initial shock and panic this pandemic has brought to the nation, has anyone else felt a sense of calm easing its way into their lives? Families may have their chaotic moments cooped up in the house, but with everyone taking the time to venture outside, we’ve appreciated our surroundings, taken the time to “smell the roses”, and cherished that allocated one hour of nature.
Without the day to day running around, doing the school run, commuting, and fitting in the gym, etc there’s been more “time”. There’s no need to rush from one place to the next, we have been allowed to be “in the moment”, walk more slowly, and sit at the dinner table for longer.
Small Business Love
For a while now there has been an uprising in support for small businesses; people are tending to want to invest their money into independent shops instead of chains. #SupportLocal #ShopSmall
With the sudden surge in stock piling, supermarkets and larger brands were inundated, and faced stock issues. This has, however, given smaller businesses the opportunity to be noticed, offering their services to those in need. Hopefully, now the storm has passed, many are still choosing to support such businesses.
Elderly
With the elderly the most vulnerable for the Coronavirus, it’s been all hands on deck to keep them safe, fed and entertained. This is ongoing even 6 months later.
Family members, friends, neighbours and NHS volunteers have all pitched in. In many cases, grandparents may have even heard from their relatives more often than in normality. We’re giving the elderly the attention they deserve.
Cooking
Anyone else enjoy using up what was already in the cupboard? It’s surprising what you can rustle up isn’t it! There seems no longer a need to “pop in” to Morrisons every day; we’re all guilty of ditching our original meal plans for something we all of a sudden fancy, but that adds up to a lot of food waste, money spent and calories consumed. Knowing that we couldn’t head out as and when we pleased meant we were all putting more time and effort into planning our meals, cooking healthily and eating as a family.
The Planet
You’ve probably seen the fantastic news surrounding the positive impact the Coronavirus is having on the environment. To mention a few:
Wildlife is thriving; national parks are being left alone, the oceans are calm from less boat traffic and beaches are clear for hatching eggs. I’m not sure the seagulls were too happy about their diminished fish & chip opportunities though!
Cities are seeing blue skies and hearing birds rather than their usual smog and industrial hum. Air quality is improving all around the world.
For the love of pets
Our nation’s pets have never been so happy! With their favourite humans contained to the same 4 walls as them, they were receiving endless cuddles, fuss and fantastic walks instead of rushed laps “around the block” before their owners leave for a day at work.
Let’s get physical
Funnily enough, although we’d normally have countless opportunities to stay active, this pandemic has seen a rise in physical exercise! Being given only 1 hour to leave our homes, and for health purposes only, it seemed people were grasping the chance with both hands (or perhaps feet). Without the usual rush from day to day living, we were re-establishing our daily schedules, and opting to factor in a walk, run or cycle. Perhaps that hour was even our favourite time of the day, instead of a dreaded “must-do”.
Efficiency
Being forced to work from home where we could, and roles being furloughed where that was not possible, has no doubt put into question what is and isn’t necessary for a fully functioning business.
Is it essential to expect everyone to be physically present in the office from 9am - 5pm?
Could their duties be performed from somewhere else, in less time, resulting in less outgoings such as rent, employee benefits, electricity and water?
Will this mean a more happy workforce, being given the flexibility and autonomy to work in a way that deems them more productive and free?
It’s no doubt been food for thought for all those business owners who were granted some unexpected time on their hands.
NHS
Would anyone dare to criticise the NHS at this moment in time? I bloody well hope not! Even if you haven’t had the misfortune to use the service so far for Coronavirus purposes, you will no doubt feel a massive respect and adoration for the individuals putting their own health at risk to look after the nation. #ProtectTheNHS
Connection
Our manner of socialising was solely limited to video calling (big thank you to Zoom); add in a quiz or guessing game and everyone’s entertained. It’s free, you’re focused on each other, there aren’t any distractions and you always feel great afterwards. Focusing on the art of human connection, instead of the beer in front of you perhaps, has meant relationships are being cherished, bonds are stronger, and we really are looking after each other’s mental well-being.
With more time on our hands (for many), kindness and patience was prevalent everywhere; thinking of others, offering help, pitching in to our communities. I’d like to think that we’re also able to be more patient with those within our households; although the intensity of home environments might have resulted in the opposite!
Looking forward
It’s going to be a very strange time from here on out. How are we behaving in supermarkets? Will people ever shake hands as a greeting again? Will we go back to treating eating out as a rare treat rather than part of our norm? Many things are undoubtedly changing, and largely for the better.
We will never get this time back, and although it’s scary for many whereby their businesses and income are concerned, the Government is doing it’s best to look after us. There are a lot of blessings to take from this extended break from reality, let’s do our best to focus on those.
Got another positive? Let me know!
#FlossyNotes #LockdownBlessings
P.s. Can I just show a little appreciation for post officers? I haven’t seen any recognition for them continuing to do their jobs, coming into contact with every home within their areas, plus all the post they’re delivering as a result of the increase in online shopping! All these guys have is a pair of gloves..
