When Boris announced our lockdown, I felt I had just experienced a piece of history but felt positive still. My boyfriend then had to be taken into hospital by an ambulance with Coronavirus it looked like he caught in work on a building site but he was allowed home to get better. Being unable to be there with him as he fought the virus for two weeks and a chest infection was really hard but thankfully, he has completely recovered.
I am grateful that this time and experience has allowed me to reflect on what is really valuable and, although a cliché, I miss my friends and family above everything. I worry how we will mix again before a vaccine is released but the safety of everyone is a priority. This, amongst other things, has affected my sleep and my motivation to get out of bed but I am riding the Coronacoaster (I must thank a colleague for this term!) and taking each day as it comes.
As tough and impossible this situation has felt at times, there are some things I truly hope continue going forward. The birds in the garden seem to have tripled overnight, children are spending invaluable time with their families and the connectivity and stories of hope and love I have read have been so uplifting. The planet has less pollution, animals are returning to tourist areas and the world seems to have slowed down enough for us to appreciate it all. It is easy to get lost in the terror that is the BBC news and want to bathe in hand sanitiser but taking it a day as it comes, being kind to yourself and reaching out to friends/ family/ colleagues are some tips that get me through the bad days.
As most people know, I love a chat and if anyone is struggling and wants to vent/ cry/ catch up or even see Jerry the laptop loving cat then please always know I’m only an email or Microsoft Teams chat away.