A Road Map

 We have a road map- we have dates we can put in our diaries and make plans for but will we be ready?

Some people will just leapfrog into getting out and about; those who have been 'occupied' by work or anything else that keeps the grey cells ticking over may leap into newfound freedom of face to face meetings (albeit outside) where screens do not turn black at the end of the conversation.

But what about those who have been confined to their homes?
Getting back to life outside the walls of our homes will be challenging for those who have done what was asked of them-  stayed at home to keep the infection rate down. They have sacrificed a whole year of living with little or no contact with the outside world to keep people – total strangers- safe.


I suppose if we think of Lockdown as 'treatment' COVID- then we are all in need of rehab.  You don't just jump up out of your sickbed and run a marathon…you take your time and plan ahead—a short distance today- and a longer one the day after. You might visit the corner shop at the top of the road this week- and the supermarket the week after.

​It is like hospitals allowing 2 visitors per patient at any one time- too many, and the ward is overcrowded, and the patient can't think. One friend in the garden on Monday and then another on Wednesday- take time to give one person time and really 'be' with them and not just a crowd where conversations overlap and no one gets to talk with anyone- properly.

Families and friends will be able to sit and relax into a proper conversation without worrying about getting too close, and you can chat about anything other than supermarket deliveries. And going out means getting dressed- in real clothes! Forget the smart/casual top for Zoom or the stretchy leggings for the daily walk - there are new shoes to buy – and bras – and a haircut!

However you plan to unlock your Lockdown, have fun- be safe- but most of all, plan some time to look after yourself. It will be overwhelming; we will all need a good cry and talk about how we have coped and then do something new. We can't flip the switch and turn back life to 2020; we will have to think of new ways of living- but that need not be all doom and gloom – it is a time for change- make the new normal positive and one you are happy in.