It seems only right that the first ‘content driven’ post to feature here should be about the thing that has transformed all our lives, although not necessarily beyond all recognition.
Coronavirus has undoubtedly had an impact on the way we live our lives. It has been something that has touched all of us and it has undoubtedly led to a great deal of sadness and uncertainty. Unfortunately, it also now appears that it is going to continue reigning for some years yet.
Yet, back in March, when the virus led the UK into lockdown and no one quite knew what that meant (the details, admittedly, are still a little hazy) it was striking how in the midst of such heart-breaking times, many sought solace in the heart-warming.
The piece you’ll find below, which I wrote earlier this year in April, is a small example of that. If nothing else, already it’s interesting to see how the conversation around the virus has evolved in the course of six short months.
Lola still knows it’s okay to spend more time alone, but that hasn’t stopped her hating not being at the office, or hating not being able to enjoy the capital like she used to. Martha did pursue a brilliant new opportunity, but the wanderlust lurking within her hasn’t disappeared. Elena might have liked working from home for a little while, but it wasn’t long before she was back in the thick of things and loving it. I’ve maintained my appreciation for imperfection, but since society returned to some semblance of the world we once knew, the time I spend on my appearance has undoubtedly increased.
Alice’s perspective hasn’t changed.
I love that it hasn’t.
My belief in the final line hasn’t changed either.
I love that too.
***
It’s right and understandable at times like these that we gravitate towards feelings of uncertainty, frustration and perhaps even slight despair. For many, Coronavirus represents a very real threat to lives that are cherished by many and that’s scary.
As someone who isn’t regarded as ‘vulnerable’, I can say I’m a little apprehensive. I won’t pretend to know what many people are going through, but what I do know is that for all the heartache this virus has, and will, cause, I’ve seen it bring a lot of positive things too.
I also won’t be the first to herald this as ‘the return of bygone times’. There’s almost no article out there that doesn’t make reference to the ‘Blitz spirit’. There’s almost no article out there without someone making the valid comment that there was no such thing.
And yet, some nostalgic part of us all (well, most of us) can see why the parallels are being drawn.
Rationally, we know no one was sat in their front room ‘Zooming’ with their fellow factory workers, or requesting houmous via WhatsApp back in 1942. I think it’s just that World War II is the only event within living memory that our collective consciousness can relate to. Ironically, it’s almost like the nation’s security blanket; if we can live through that relatively happily, then perhaps we can live through this too.
Happiness is one of those millennial, Gen-Z buzzwords. We’re taught and told in myriad ways how to ‘pursue happiness’, whether that’s through the latest wellness fad or through chasing wealth, education and power. There’s no denying that some of these things work and who am I to judge what makes someone happy? But, I think for some of us at least, Coronavirus has shown that happiness can be found much more simply and much closer to home.
This isn’t to say that such an experience goes for everyone. The challenges of isolation for people’s mental health and indeed physical health cannot be denied. However, for others ‘the new normal’ is in many ways relieving certain mental and physical health pressures and this is something that should be taken into account too.
I was prompted to consider it all by my friend, Alice, who posed the question in our first video group chat of the crisis, ‘What’s one positive thing you’ve learned about yourself in all this?’
Initially, the four of us were a little flummoxed when she asked, but once we started talking it was evident we’d all been subconsciously thinking about it.
We each took turns.
Lola, who spends her life being a brilliant companion to as many people as possible, discovered that she was learning it was okay to ease up and spend more time alone. Martha, who is probably one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I’ve ever known, shared that whilst she was finding it hard, it was encouraging her to pursue new (if limited) opportunities. Elena, who is hilarious, hard-working and endlessly passionate, found that she was actually really enjoying working from home. Alice, who cooks like Nigella and always knows just how to bolster everyone’s confidence when they need it most, told us that she was getting the chance to be at home more than ever and that she and her boyfriend were getting on like a house on fire.
Mine was that it had taught me to spend less time on my appearance. It’s a standing joke that if you want me to be ready for 9pm, tell me to be there by 8pm. I am, by definition, a world-class faffer.
All it took was a pandemic for me to discover that you don’t need to have a perfect face to be able to appreciate life in all its bizarre, messy, tragic, wonderful glory.
Whilst the end is still far from sight, now is as good a time as any to slow down, stand back and take stock of the little things in life. If you can, take a second to appreciate a tulip. Enjoy a walk with a loved one. Smile at your neighbour. Run powerfully.
Kindness, calm and positivity have the potential to go a long way. Much further than uncertainty, frustration and slight despair anyway.
Modernish 