Lockdown has advantages

Covid has been tough.  There are very few people who have not been affected by it in one form or another.  To consider the effect of the illness on individuals, the countless deaths, business closures and the separation of loved ones for extended periods is enough to break your heart.  Added to this, the effect of isolation and lockdown on many people’s mental health has been confronting.  In most situations, the only option in trying to deal with difficult circumstances is by searching for the advantages hidden within.  Though highly unusual,  Lockdown is no exception.

I would never try to argue with someone who has lost a loved one or had their business destroyed, that they should be grateful for what they’ve got.  That would be insensitive to say the very least.  Awful things have and do happen to good people that mean their whole lives have to change.  Overcoming these situations is much more complex than one post can address.  That said, sometimes when you are in a dark place, counting your blessings is a very small but great reminder that life is still worth living.

Whenever life changes substantially, it is always a prime opportunity to jettison what isn’t working and focus more on what is.  Most of us are afraid of change, even if what we are doing isn’t that good.  The beauty of change then, is that life is already shifting around you.  How to face letting go of habits is a post for another day.  Making sure we hold on to what is good is just as important and what we are focussing on here.

More time

Once the initial shock of a looming toilet paper shortage has sunk in, the second issue that needs to be considered is what to do with your time.  Most of us are time poor in this modern world.  The free time that technology promised us decades ago, has not eventuated as yet.  All of a sudden being able to work from home and save all that travel time and moments usually spent around the water cooler, surprised most of us.  For the first time in generations,  we have actually been able to spend quality time at home with the family.

School time

I know that some people have very young children that require constant support.  I realise that sometimes this means working at midnight or 4 a.m so that you can be available for homeschooling.  The upside to this is that parents are directly involved in their children’s education and understand the challenges they face in much more detail.  This can only be a good thing.  One caveat to this, though, is algebra. Having letters in maths is just strange.

To see mums and dads out walking with their children at lunchtime, when they would normally be at the office, is fantastic.  To see my neighbours embracing Kindergarten arts and crafts in the front yard is inspiring.  I can only think that these things, whilst time consuming, will be very strong, positive memories for our children in the future.

Free time

Many of us have had plenty of free time thrust unexpectedly upon us recently.  The increasing prevalence of sourdough bakers, bike riders, hikers, dog walkers and gardeners is clear evidence of this. Perhaps not unsurprisingly though, many people have struggled to adapt, especially considering that much of this time has been spent in isolation from friends that they would normally socialise with.  Sadly, this isolation has had a terrible effect on mental health for many.

The upside to this is simply that we have a level of free time that we have not had since we were at school.  I could be flippant about the rise in popularity of sourdough or the number of amature paintings I get to see daily on Facebook, but that would be misleading.  What these examples show us, is that given time, many are resilient and creative.  Many are adaptive people, whose natural inclination is to face the issue and try to improve their lives.  This is a very healthy approach to Lockdown. Those of us whose natural reaction to stress is to hide away from it, could learn a lot from them.

Compassion

One aspect of lockdown that is nothing but inspirational, is the amount of compassion that is on show in our communities.  Volunteers supporting the aged and pensioners,  people collecting and delivering food, walking to raise money for charity and collecting clothing for the down and out, all whilst wearing PPE are just a few examples.  This shows that many people’s first thought, when under stress, is for others about them.   

There has been far too much media coverage of selfish politicians,  blinkered lobby groups and various sports being shown favouritism lately.   Let’s cheer on those local heroes, whose only thought has been to help others during this extraordinary time.  

The realignment of values

In my mind,  the most inspiring benefit from Covid lockdown has been the realignment of many people’s values.  Having time to reevaluate what is truly important, whilst tough, can lead to a better life. Examples of this include an increase in people talking about and looking after their mental health. The upturn in people seeking homes with yards over units, because they have realised just how important a home is for their family.  Also, the number of families adopting dogs shows that people have realised how important it is to spend healthy time together outdoors and care for other creatures. 

May I also be so bold as to suggest that the rise in homemade sourdough is a clear metaphor, if not evidence, that many of us are sick and tired of the homogenous white bread society we live in.  That many of us prefer individuality, imperfection, choice and do it yourself to the media manipulated, throw away, plastic community we have built around ourselves.

The future…?

Only time will tell just how permanent these positive changes will be.  The pessimist in me tends to believe that they will, by and large, filter away when lockdown lifts.  That being busy, efficient and profitable will very quickly overtake quality time, compassion and community once again.  Perhaps though, just perhaps, some real and valuable change will seep through all the layers and settle permanently in our hearts. 

Links

Letting go » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated

The Psychological Benefits of Being Alone – The Atlantic