Post-pandemic MOT Phase 2

Grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can,
And Wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking world as it is,
Not as I would have it.
Trusting that things can be made right
if I surrender will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life.

2020 was a year like no other.  As an employee I was rarely in the office, out at meetings with HR or Personnel Managers talking about how best to support Carers they employ suddenly I’m working from my kitchen table and all my contacts are saying our staff are either furloughed or working from home. 

As a Carer I came up against a whole new set of difficulties, my husband shielding, my parents living 30 miles away, both with health conditions and not able to visit but worst of all was not being able to plan my regular visit abroad to give my Grandmothers Carer respite.

I tried take time out when I needed it.  Audio books became my best friend having someone read to me reminded me of my childhood; setting up a regular coffee break with good friends over messenger and teaching the olds about technology was an experience.  Sharing how I was feeling meant that I was always able to confront the feeling.

I found lockdown really difficult at the beginning.  We had planned the “holiday of a lifetime” on the west coast of America which I was so looking forward to.  Also, I couldn’t see my mother or my daughter who live over 3 hours’ drive away, I had never gone more than 3 or 4 weeks without seeing them before.  In addition, I had to go from being out and about with work all the time, doing workshops, training sessions and presentations to being at home all day every day.

I was expecting to be thrilled to be able to go out again, but I had the opposite reaction.  By the time, the first lockdown eased I was quite happy being at home and going for the occasional walk.  I panicked at the idea of a shopping trip and a get together with friends and retreated back indoors.  I was lucky to have lots of zoom and telephone contact with colleagues and friends but still struggled.  This time I have made sure I made the changes gradually, slowly doing more and easing back into seeing more people.

Take it slowly if you feel really uncomfortable about it don’t do it!  Start by going for a walk, maybe meet a friend in the park.  If that goes well, next time go to the local shop or meet up in a café.  Take it at your own pace, there is no right way of doing this.  Unlock in a way which suits you.