How are you this week?
Did you get all excited by the initial announcement of the remarkable efficacy of the new RNA vaccine for Covid-19? Did you begin to believe that “normal” might once again be possible?
Some people seemed to jump on that news, little and limited as it was, with the same enthusiasm as finding a “Get out of jail free” card when you’re already in jail. And yes, that brief promise of light at the end of a dark tunnel is certainly welcome even though the scientist in me is still very aware of the limitations of that promise of freedom.
Here in Wales we’re out of fire-break lockdown so today, I might go for my first visit to a non-food shop and even grab a coffee while I’m out. What about you? I know many of my readers will still be living in lockdown and life will feel anything but normal.
If we are to learn anything from these times, we need to give them meaning, to find that which is of value and take it forward to create a better future when that “normal”, (however it looks, however it comes about) returns.
There have been many memes shared bearing this quote:
“We will not go back to normal. Normal never was. Our pre-corona existence was never normal other than we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate and lack. We should not long to return, My friends. We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment. One that fits all of humanity and nature.” Sonya Renee Taylor – a black, queer, body-positive activist and judging by this quote, a total hopeful optimist!
Back in April I had hopes that we would have a swift return to normal, a green recovery, that the values of society would change and become kinder and more accepting.
And now I see how I, how we, need to fight to carry forward the things that we value into the new normal, it will not happen by accident.
So what will you cherish?
Many of us are shopping locally, buying more from smaller local shops and businesses. Long may that continue.
We are beginning to normalise being whole human beings – when I’ve been on many Zoom meetings for my business I have met people’s cats, dogs and guinea pigs, I have seen and heard their children. In small ways we are letting our whole lives be seen.
I have been growing my own veg, some people have been baking with passion, maybe for the first time or rediscovering a forgotten pleasure.
I’ve been travelling less and have not missed the 10,000 miles that I have not driven during lockdown!
As the autumn nights draw in I’m making the most of the time I can spend outdoors, wrapping up warm to sit out in the garden as that experience of being outdoors is becoming ever more precious.
What new habits are you creating for yourself?
I remind myself that there are silver linings, even in the midst of the frustrations and restrictions of lockdown. I hope that you see them and feel them and celebrate them. So tell me, what do you want to take forward with you into your new normal?
My business is also continuing – delivering training using those Zoom meetings I mentioned and continuing to coach one to one clients. It is a privilege to witness their courageous struggles with overwhelm and to celebrate their break through moments with pride.
This week there have been some beautiful shifts of acceptance when people realised in a deep, deep way that their internal voices of criticism are revealed to be tender carers who don’t want them to be hurt. Can you imagine the healing that comes when you see that your Inner Critic loves you dearly? I promise, that is a journey worth making!
Please do reach out and email me if you would value some coaching support right now or simply want to talk.
I’ve also been recording more Resources for Resilience videos and adding them to my website, short snippets to help with the practical aspects of getting stuff done while staying healthy and happy.
Please do share the page with friends or colleagues who you feel would benefit: MargaretCollins.com/RFR for free “Resources for Resilience”.
Take care,
So do enjoy the approaching weekend, and I hope that you’ll share with me some of the things you want to take forward with you after lockdown.