Checking in.

Today’s post is just a checking in one really, seeing how everyone is doing. As we head into the last two weeks of the summer holidays (here in England), and I start to make preparations for my children to go back to school and college, my emotions have been all over the place about the impending changes to what has become normality for us. I know for many, you have been working either at home or as keyworkers, you have still had to go into your work place and put yourselves at risk, if you are one of these people, I thank you for just being awesome, and I hope that you have managed to avoid this god awful virus, and that you know how deeply appreciative we are of you. For myself and my children however, with the exception of my eldest son who has continued to work his part time job, we have all been fortunate to stay at home throughout this lockdown, it’s had it’s ups and downs, and there have tantrums and tears along the way, but throughout we have felt safe, we’ve followed the rules, we’ve kept as safe as we can, but now we are faced with a new adaption, and I cannot lie, I feel extremely anxious about it. Now I know that many are probably feeling the same, and I know that for some of you, you haven’t been able to stay at home, I also appreciate that at some point we have to start getting back to normal, but it’s scary right? We know that this is it now, this virus is going to always be around, even when a vaccination has been approved, we know that there will be people that do not agree with vaccinations, we also know that there are people that do not adhere to the rules of sanitation and wearing of masks, basically we are still just at risk of this horrid virus. There will be people that read this, and think for gods sake, just put your big girl pants on and get on with it, and I will, I am returning to work in a couple of weeks, the kids will be back to school, and the children will be back to their clubs and hobbies again, and life for us will be getting into the new normal, however, when you have watched your children have an asthma attack, when you’ve seen them pass out from the flu, you have seen them at their frailest, then yes, it does make you anxious. This said we will do what we have to, the bills still need to be paid, and the kids education has taken enough of a battering with my awful attempts at helping them with their home learning, so as soon as those doors are open we will be there taking all the precaitions we can.

I think definitely for me, lockdown has made me more of an anxious person, and I have never been a particularly anxious person before, and I know from experience that very often, just getting started on something you’re nervous about, whilst super scary at the beginning, the thoughts of doing it, are very often worse than the actual event. So it’s only natural after being at home for almost six months, the thought of being out of the house, around people again is quite nerve wracking, but the rational part of me knows that once the first day is over with, it will feel like we’ve never been away. As well as returning to work, I will be learning to juggle being at work and building my business, as well as my family and housework, and when I type that out, it makes me wonder whether I will even have time to be nervous about the new normal! I am excited for the next few months too though, as we are coming up to my favourite time of the year, if you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know just how much I love Autumn and Christmas. I know it will be slightly different to years gone by, but knowing we have the excitement of the seasonal change coming up, just fills me with joy, and I think that will make the ease into school/college/work a lot easier. One of the other ways to help ease my anxiety, is making plans for the coming months, knowing that you have things to look forward to always make life seem a little brighter, so as I’m purchasing new uniform, I’m also looking at things the children and I can safely do too. I’m also looking forward to being more active again, I know that in my last post I talked about weight, and how that affected mindset, and I truly believe this, and that where I have gone from being super active to doing vitually nothing, my weight has ballooned, and I know that once next month hits, along with a healthier approach to life, being more active will help reduce my weight once more, and this excites me too. 

I’ve harped on long enough now, so I’d love to know how you guys are doing, how are you feeling about another change to this new normal, are you feeling anxious too? Or have you been working throughout? However you’re feeling, whatever is coming up for you, I hope that you’re all well and safe and predominantly happy.

Much love. xx