Back in February (feels like a long time ago doesn’t it?!) we celebrated my husbands birthday and planned to have a day out and dinner in London. Only I woke up on the Saturday morning and knew I didn’t want to go, nor did I want to get on a train or wander around the streets of the city I love. Something bothered me about the rumblings of a virus in China and all of my instincts were telling me in no uncertain words to stay at home.
My mother-in-law called from Australia and she felt as I did. She knew something was amiss too. “Stay at home” she said. “Just chill and take it easy”.
So we did. And we haven’t yet ventured into London since.
“Find peace in unexpected places, And take deeper breaths.
Even in the rush of life you are free to slow down.
Feel what you need to feel.
Take the time you need to heal. Know that everything will be revealed to you when it’s meant to be revealed to you. ”
Just in case….
Several weeks later my mum, sister and I had a conversation about what was unfolding and we all agreed that despite what we were being told by the Government and in the media, we needed to be prepared. Instinctively we knew the rumblings of this virus were getting louder and closer to home so we got some extra supplies and food just in case.
My sister works for a global pharmaceutical company where there were even more rumblings about possible shortages ahead, so my parents got extra medical prescriptions too. Just in case.
A week later on my way home from work I stopped at a local supermarket. The shelves were completely bare. I’d never seen anything like it. People had been fighting over packets of food. And loo roll. I left the shop with a tub of sour cream and some broccoli. It was all they had. As I reached my car and drove home I thanked my lucky stars I’d got our food in when I did - had I waited there would have been nothing at all.
When in doubt question - and question again
As the weeks have passed I’ve wondered why we were not advised to wear face masks months ago? My brother-in-law lives in Spain and it is compulsory and has been since they entered lockdown in March. So on our family Zoom chat I said “I think we should be wearing masks despite what we are being told, it just makes sense to me”. My sister got on the case and we all took delivery of our own personalised material face masks from Etsy and have worn them out and about ever since. Just in case. Even if we look ridiculous - who really cares!
Now there is another issue rumbling away and that is the effect the pandemic has had on our mental health and wellbeing. Some have been fortunate to carry on with their lives as normal whereas others have lost loved ones, been ill themselves, are experiencing financial difficulties or have lost their jobs or businesses. The psychological strains and impact is not to be underestimated. The advice and guidance we are given at times is confusing, contradictory and full of fear so much so our stress levels are on constant alert.
So where do we go from here?
The truth is no one knows the answer for sure.
There is difference of opinion, division and everyone seems to have a view about something, don’t they.
Will we have a second wave or won’t we?
Will we have jobs or won’t we?
Will we be able to keep our businesses afloat or won’t we?
Will we or our loved ones get the virus or won’t we?
What feels like the right course of action for you?
What I do know is that when I feel it’s all becoming a bit much it’s time to get some peace and quiet and focus on living one day at a time. Forget about future tripping and bring my attention right back to the here and now.
I choose to slow down, tune out from all the noise, stop reading or watching the news and ask myself important questions such as what do I need right now and what feels right for me?
And if the answer isn’t forthcoming I wait.
Because I want facts not fabrication and fear.
I want hope over doom.
I want clarity over confusion.
I want to tune out so I can tune in.
And then I will continue to make my own informed decisions, based mostly on instinct and on what feel absolutely right for me.
Maybe you want this too?
In the waves of change we can find our own true north
I’ve spent the last four months helping to home school my niece Boo. During one of our online classes we focused on map reading skills. Despite Boo’s protestations that she didn’t need to learn how to read a proper paper map, because they had sat-nav, or Mummy’s phone or there would always be someone to ask if you’re lost.
I told her “You need to know how to read a map – because one day the sat-nav may not work, the phone may be out of signal, there may not be anyone around for miles and you need to know how to read the signs to find your way home. And if you’re really lost know how to trust yourself and your instincts.”
So our map reading and compass class began.
North. East. South. or West?
Together we created our own map, now she knows how to read a compass, look for the signs and how to get from her house to mine.
“Auntie Mel I know another great trick to remember which direction I am heading in” said Boo.
“Let me guess – is it never eat shredded wheat”? I replied.
She looked at me in disbelief. “How do you know that” she said.
I laughed and said “Sometimes Aunties do know a thing or two you know - especially around a sense of direction and your Inner Compass”.
The answers will be revealed in good time
Let us not forget when it all becomes a bit much that each and every one of us has our own inner compass and ready-made intuition. We can rely on all of our senses in order to find our way once more.
So the moral of the story is never eat shredded wheat. But do eat the cake. And stay safe. Because despite what anyone else says, thinks or does, I’ll be eating the blinking cake especially as I saw the sign. And we all need cake.