Embracing A New Normal

Tonight as I tucked the kids into bed, I hugged them a little longer. I kissed their cheeks a few extra times today and told them I love them more times than I can count. It's not that I don't do these things everyday anyway but right now, as we adjust to a new normal it seems more important than ever before.

Nothing about this situation is normal, in fact far from it! But right now, this is an obscure and uneasy temporary normal that we all must adjust to.

As the world goes into lockdown the everything feels uncertain, unknown and we hear heart-breaking breaking news stories that fill our tv screens, social media accounts and mobile phones. Staggering and devastating totals of deaths of lives ripped apart as the world struggles to come to terms with what is happening and the rate it is happening too.

But as we all learn to adjust I think its important we try to see the positives through the sea of sadness and worry. To understand that it is perfectly normal to feel anxious, overwhelmed, stressed and out of sorts. But to try and remember that there are also some moments that are good about every day too. And by looking for these we can help ourselves to lift our own spirits and embrace this crazy time that is our temporary normal because if we don't we will suffer mentally.

For me I'm enjoying spending time with the kids, yes they are driving me up the wall. They bicker and argue and protest against any form of "work" that I suggest. BUT before all this I used to moan about the school run, about standing around in the play ground waiting for my son to decide he was ready to wander out with his mates 20 minutes after the bell. I used to wish we would have more time together, as a family with no plans just time. Now I have that and yes its not in the most ideal of situations but we have time and each other and I am embracing that.

Another positive that has come out of this situation is the kindness of others, to themselves, to their family and friends and amazingly to complete strangers! People have rallied around to send out notes to so many streets in our area. Offering help to collect groceries, prescriptions and other items for people who are vulnerable or self isolating. Children are finding new ways to communicate with their friends over video calls, emails and through waves through windows on a daily walk. And we as parents get to witness their smiles, their silly conversations and their excitement at seeing each other, something which would previously have been hidden behind school walls.

Plus if you look between all scary news, there are little snippets of positivity, of the earth and nature repairing itself! I saw an article about sea turtles laying millions of eggs this year because the beaches are uninterrupted. I read about scientists who think the ozone layer may be starting to repair itself. I have seen videos and images on animals thriving and roaming and I think we can all agree that the air feels that bit less clogged and a little bit fresher with less traffic on the road and planes in the air.

Yes of course we cannot forget that for some this pandemic is a nightmare. For some they have lost loved ones and that pain can never be taken away or brushed over and to those people I am truly sorry.

For others the world hasn't slowed down at all because for keyworkers such as supermarket workers, NHS staff, transport staff and many, many more they are worker harder now than ever before. But please if you can, take positive in the fact that you are saving our country right now, right this moment. Every hour that goes by you are saving lives and as a country we are forever grateful, forever applauding and forever in awe of how awesome you all are.

As a family we are taking one day at a time, our lives have slowed down, we are appreciating the small things, the family time and most of all feeling grateful for each other right now. Don't get me wrong there have been many tears and tantrums (mostly mine!) but that's ok. In fact I know there will be more and again that's ok.

This new normal is new to us all. It takes time and patience to adjust and when the world is constantly changing, new news hitting our headlines and sadness everywhere it can be hard to find a new rhythm and pace to suit you all. But the important thing is that we try, that we take time to be kind, both to others and ourselves.

Remember every day that passes it another step closer to normality. One step at a time, one day at a time. This isn't forever but whilst it is happening, embrace your new normal, be kind and remember we are all winging it, you are not alone! Before we know it we will be back at work longing for the weekend to arrive, sunning ourselves on beautiful beaches with the sun on our skin and washing mounds of school uniform again.

But for now please stay safe, stay home, protect the NHS and save lives!

xXx