Adjusting to many changes…A Surreal Time

Suddenly Closing Down

Some four months ago, I wrote about the start of lockdown and the many feelings that were experienced as life as we knew it then came to an abrupt end throwing many people into a state of shock and disbelief. Some people chose to think of it as an ‘unexpected break’ from their usual routine and busied themselves with doing a massive spring clean at home (out with the old and in with the new) taking on projects (best to keep busy and help where I can), pretending that they really didn’t mind and were quite happy with their own company, even minimising the seriousness of Covid-19 (it’s just flu, nothing to worry about at all)

Reality Becoming Apparent

As the time has gone on we have all seen how serious this situation is – there is no denying that everyone everywhere has been affected – some in worse ways than others. How many people listened to the news endless times a day listening for how many deaths was it now? How many people have lost loved ones or had coronavirus themselves. So now there is no more pretending. Being at home is no longer ‘an unexpected break.’ We have now had enough and want to go back to our normal lives. So we continue to listen to the country opening up – what is most important to us – our work? our places of worship? our gyms? our hairdressers or barbers? our families? When can we see them again – such joy to be able to go into someone’s garden even if it is socially distanced. We understand no hugging but it remains difficult not to do this with those that we love especially after being emotionally deprived for so long.

Returning to our workplaces

Now that is a difficult one – this depends on so much – have we been furloughed or lost our jobs altogether? How about if we are fortunate to have a job to return to – so many Government Guidelines to follow to keep ourselves and other people safe. How do we feel about the people who ‘break the rules’ or ‘find a loophole’ to do what they want to do? How do we make our decisions given that we cannot guarantee that the world is now 100% safe. The truth is it never was but never before have we had this made so clear.

Thriving even in a Crisis

It seems that people now want to do more than survive – they want to thrive. For months we have been told to ‘stay at home’ and other people are a danger (and so are you) This has led to us at times flinching when people have got too close yet at the same time longing for some meaningful connection.

Surreal Time

So here we are in July 2020 adjusting to so much. I used to say that I wouldn’t work online as I have been a face-to-face Counsellor for many years. Covid-19 has found me using Zoom to support my clients when face-to-face abruptly ended on a temporary basis. I now find myself using both ways of working and getting used to being with my clients again in very different circumstances. I am grateful to have learnt a new skill.

It is important to acknowledge the impact of all these changes on us emotionally and physically. It is a lot for us all to process. If we do what we can do one step at a time we will gradually find our way forward with renewed hope and vision for our future.