As we all know the Coronavirus has taken its toll on our lives over the past few months, I’m not just talking about the lockdown in the UK or Europe. I mean everywhere. We are being made to re consider what is important to us. How do we live, work and socialise.

A while ago I wrote a post about what I hope we all take from this situation. Maybe we should start to slow down and take a look at where we are and what we have now. We’re always wanting more, quicker and faster…that’s how we are expected to live.

Even during the lock down we are expected to learn a new skill, read more, do yoga etc. But then when we talk to one another we realise that no one really expects us to do this if we don’t want too. Our friends and family, the people who matter expect us to do what we can.
I have found a lot of these attitudes of ‘learn a new language, do some yoga, start a project’ are coming from online. While these people suggesting these things may mean well, they are also having a negative affect on our sense of self worth when we assume we have to do what they are saying.

I have a friend doing Couch to 5k and I’m proud of her for doing this, she’s quite an active person anyway and I can’t wait to see her and have a hug. I have another friend who is working from home and taking part in her Church group virtually. Again I can’t wait to see her and give her a hug.

My point here is that these people and many more of my friends are doing what they would normally, just in a different way. Maybe this is how we need to reflect on these suggestions coming from online. Perhaps don’t look at it as a ‘you must learn a new language’ but rather, what do you enjoy doing and how can you continue to do it in a new way?

I am trying to think of it like this. I am finding it helps. Otherwise I will think ‘well I have wasted these weeks’. Which I haven’t.
I have purchased a domain name for my blog.
I have used my new iPad to do drawing, which has been very beneficial to making myself feel calm and happy.
I have tried to continue with my blogging.
I have looked at ways to fundraise for the BHF.
Cleaning the house and de-cluttering.
Reading more.

These might not be big things to you. But they are to me. That’s what matters. Not the world telling me I should be doing this or I should be doing that. I am doing what makes me happy and that is what matters right now.

Last week I wrote a post about being kind to yourself. This is exactly what I’m on about. Think about the things that are being put out on the internet as suggestions, don’t think that you have to be doing the same as everyone else. We’re not the same.

As a Disabled person how am I expected to keep to a new full on time table of activities. I can’t. So I’m doing what I can. Yes I am getting tired writing this. But I am also enjoying it because it’s a way of reminding myself to take my own advice. We often fail at that. We can help our friends out but we then fail to recognise our own asking for help.

The world has changed, there will be a new normal, we will have to adapt. One of those ways of adapting is by slowing down. Slowing down and remembering what we do have, not about what’s next. We need to do this together. Otherwise we will continue with the world the way that it is. Which will cause more harm than good.

We need to slow down and stop rushing along with our day. Why? What is a the end of it? Make time in your day to enjoy things. Make time in your day do appreciate what you’ve enjoyed.

If we can do this then we can all keep up with another a bit easier. We can help each other out. We can make our world a happier place to be. To be. Being. Just be.

Be kind, do what you enjoy- within reason, stay safe.

Twitter: @PhilippaB
Instagram: @VisuallyImpairedPip