Getting back to our pre-pandemic life is something most of us want to do or at least the good parts of our lives, taking the positive lessons learned since March 2020 with us into our new normal. I for one began to appreciate the opportunity of a quieter, slower life that the break from our busy day- to-day lives offered (It might sound crazy but the last time I gave myself permission to slow down so much was back in 1999 when I was diagnosed with cancer. I went from working a 7-day week to 4. I did change my life dramatically after that and thankfully I am still here to tell the tale. My life work balance is much better (always room for improvement) and just prior to Covid I was revisiting/scrutinizing all again (I tend to do this “big time” every 20 years, when I am ready for the next chapter!) Covid just heightened/clarified whats important as it has for most of us. The break this time didn’t last too long for me (Part of my job was to start working on Spa & Wellness Guidelines to be fully prepared for when my industry would be able to open again) which meant days filled with global zoom and conference meetings and then typing Covid, Covid Covid over and over till I just couldn’t type the word again for over a week. However, the shift and break in general business commitments afforded me with time to focus more on my creativity outside of business, which sometimes goes on the back burner. I was able to revisit projects and pick up on things I had wanted to do for some time which was brilliant. During that still, noiseless month (April) I was able to wake up and smell the roses, muse, ponder, just sit, look up at the amazing clear blue sky and just be!
If we look for the positives to come out of this situation (always there in any situation) and take those pearls of wisdom and insights with us as we move forward, I think the world can be a better, kinder place. We are far from out of the woods with all this chaos (negative) yet we are moving from the initial shock, doubts, and fears into other stages of the grief cycle. Now, hotels, spas, restaurants and gyms and most businesses are starting to open again which is fantastic for the economy and every person on the planet who has been hit financially (positive). It feels like we are starting to take those big steps and now things feel like they are starting to move forward fast (too fast for some) it feels too soon. Whilst some people do the right thing (about ¼ of the population) the rest seem to think the rules and Covid19 does not apply to them (Big Negative). I see it every day and cannot understand how they don’t seem to care about the rest of society? If we plunge back into the depths of Covid in the winter, sure these people will have blank expressions and blame everyone but themselves. I know people who are just to afraid now to step out into the world and have completely retreated and I totally get that. Those beautiful people I delivered medication/shopping to during the last 5 months have become very fearful and institutionalized, they just dont feel safe or have the desire to go out, this is so sad to see. They have sacrificed and done the right thing for the greater good and now they are stuck in this limbo place. If they do venture out and see so many doing the wrong thing it begs belief “What was 22 weeks of isolation/shielding for? To save their lives yes! To help the NHS yes! To save others’ lives yes!
Moving forward with gratitude that we still have the gift of life when so many have lost theirs and being respectful, mindful, aware, and doing the right thing is the way forward. It is the only way to respect those who sacrificed, who lost their lives and to rebuild society. While the world is taking those massive steps towards “Normality” it’s perfectly acceptable for you to take “Baby Steps” be kind to yourself, trust your judgement and do what feels right for you. Work for me didn’t really stop and I have returned to elements of my work that had to stop, however two pre-pandemic lifestyle steps for me this week. First day having spa treatments yesturday, first day back at the gym and doing a BARRE class today. Did it feel good? Yes, it did, great. Was it different? Yes, it was! At Barre with only 3 in the class and all the H&S aspects in place it was very strange however I totally loved the feeling of doing something that was a joyful part of my lifestyle routine. Tried zoom online classes which are brilliant if you have the space my apartment is tiny therefore, I decapitated my buddha and knocked over a vase of flowers doing Pilates… Not Good! On my way to my exercise class today I felt like the first day at school not knowing what to expect. “Baby Steps” Breathe and connect with what feels right for you. One day at a time. #Covid19 #Kindness #Barre # fear #isolation #muse #babysteps #breathe #bekindtoyourself #dowhatfeelsrightforyou #dotherightthing #wellbeing #wellness #mindfulness #caribbeanessentials #lindahallbrand #awardwinningspabrand #lindahallspaandwellness