It’s Life, Jim, But Not As We Know It
Susan Brown | Scottish Blethers
I don’t know about you, but for me, the last 12 months have been a rollercoaster of highs, lows, and just jogging along on life’s journey. It has been exhausting, exhilarating and exceptional, but not necessarily in equal doses.
You can’t talk about the last year without mentioning those lost due to Covid-19, either directly or indirectly, and the pain of loss for those who grieve them. We must also give thanks to those who work tirelessly in hospitals, doctors surgeries, care settings and medical research to find the way out from this pandemic.
Covid-19 nurses and therapists
Image | Rusty Watson, Unsplash
In the UK, we have had at least two lockdowns of three to four months and some parts of the UK have had additional shorter interim lockdowns. Parts of Europe are currently heading into a third lockdown. During these periods, some have been able to spend more time with family or friends as they form support bubbles, others have been juggling home schooling, keeping a household going and working from home at the same time, and everyone has missed family and friends as we follow the guidance to “stay at home.” Those of us fortunate to live in rural areas have thanked our lucky stars for access to local walks where you are unlikely to meet anyone, but we have also found a renewed sense of community and looking out for each other.
Many people, tour guides included, have seen our work disappear overnight for what we thought would only be one season, but it now seems to be stretching into a second. People have innovated, reinvented themselves, made the most of opportunities and been forced into changes of direction, both temporary and permanent, just in order to survive and look after themselves and their families.
For those of you struggling over the last 12 months, know that you are not alone in feeling that way. Do what you need to to get through this, lean on friends and family, focus on happier times, create lists and countdowns.
Do what you need to get through this, lean on friends and family.
Image | Rémi Walle, Unsplash
I may have painted a pretty bleak picture, but just as the natural world springs back into life at this time of year, we are starting to see a rebirth of many aspects of the life we took for granted in 2019. We are emerging from our enforced hibernation and opening up our care homes to visitors, reducing restrictions and beginning to gear up for shops, pubs, restaurants, and accommodation providers reopening over the coming weeks. The numbers of those vaccinated are rising, and I for one can’t wait for the letter giving me my vaccination appointment.
My hope for a post-Covid lifestyle is that we remember the simple pleasures that we have rediscovered, hold on to the positive changes we have made, jump off the hamster wheel every now and again, stop and smell the roses, and create memories with our friends and families that we can look back on with fondness and a smile.
Remember the simple pleasures that we have rediscovered. Stop and smell the roses.
Image | Trish Feaster
I miss showing guests my wonderful country but I also miss getting out there as a visitor to other places without the 30-mile boundary I have been in since late December. 2020 will be the (second) “Year of the Staycation” but there are hints that international travel will be back on the agenda in the second half of the year–hallelujah !
It’s life Jim, but not as we knew it – may we all live long and prosper.
