I cannot believe I am already one week into home schooling and what feels like a million years away from what we considered normal life just a few weeks ago. But this new normal is not all bad.
It seems clear to me that the people approaching this unprecedented global catastrophe are the ones with a more positive mental attitude. It can be hard when you can't see loved ones, feel trapped and isolated. But once again channeling that old fashioned phrase, "count your blessings" can really turn that frown upside down.
I have heard the Monty Python classic "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" countless times recently and in fact music is number one on my list of stuff I am thankful for right now. Here's my list.
Music
I'm a fan of Absolute 80's and Smooth radio while my husband and children who work in Tesco are stacking shelves listening to Absolute 90's and Noughties.
I've been amused and uplifted by much of the music playing and some of my memories which are triggered by the 80's tunes in particular come with an extra dose of poignant nostalgia.
My mum's choir in Cyprus is rehearsing over Skype and a friend yesterday suggested we have a virtual disco to 80's music or a silent disco where we have to guess what the other person is dancing to.
I have another friend who once famously (and drunkenly) re-enacted the entire Thriller zombie dance alone on a dance floor surrounded by small children. Maybe we could take this time to learn the whole dance so we can blend in if the zombie apocalypse finally comes?
Food
I am quite motivated by food at the best of times and find myself currently thinking about the next meal earlier and earlier. There may have been some snacking too. One lovely client sent me some Rocky Road bars which I had every intention of rationing. Hands up who thinks there are any left.
This week my son treated us to an Indian takeaway and it was wonderful.
It did feel a little like taking delivery of a radioactive unexploded bomb, but once the food was safely unwrapped the only negative response was the usual slight tummy upset I always get eating Indian food. Mainly because I can't resist tikka and that gorgeous yoghurt dip, both of which contain dairy products which I am intolerant of.
We have been so used to pretty much eating what we want, when we want it that any meal now feels like a gift. We have salmon tonight but I know from anecdotes that fresh fish is becoming hard to procure so we will be sure to savour it as the luxury it is.
Time
One day some will look back at this with an element of nostalgia for the precious gift of time it gave them. During our virtual Friday night video meet-up with friends last night one Dad said he had never spent so much time with this daughter doing school work and really appreciated the opportunity to watch her learn.
I feel blessed to be isolated with five out of seven of my children, aged 11-20, and they inspire me with their largely positive attitude, ability to find humour in the darkest tines and a work ethic which many adults could aspire to.
I know we are lucky to be classed as a household, able to stay together supporting each other. I desperately miss my older boys who don't live here. Thank goodness for technology.
On a purely selfish note too I've been glad my husband is finding time to do some of the house and garden chores I've been nagging him about for ages!
Neighbours
I've always been thankful for living in our beautiful village community but this situation has proved beyond doubt that this is an amazing place to live. From kind words to selfless deeds my neighbours across the village have helped make all of this a little bit more bearable.
And I know it's not just my community. A friend in a bigger town nearby asked social media if anyone had a particular board game she could borrow. The game was left for her along with a lovely note and a box of chocolates.
Yesterday my next door neighbour left a little primula plant for me - another villager had put a selection of potted plants out for people to help themselves to and she had brought one back for me. A simple gesture which cost nothing in pounds and pence but meant a lot to me.
So there we have it. My latest list of things to be thankful for. Good luck and good health and remember...
You Are Not Alone!
It seems clear to me that the people approaching this unprecedented global catastrophe are the ones with a more positive mental attitude. It can be hard when you can't see loved ones, feel trapped and isolated. But once again channeling that old fashioned phrase, "count your blessings" can really turn that frown upside down.
I have heard the Monty Python classic "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" countless times recently and in fact music is number one on my list of stuff I am thankful for right now. Here's my list.
Music
I'm a fan of Absolute 80's and Smooth radio while my husband and children who work in Tesco are stacking shelves listening to Absolute 90's and Noughties.
I've been amused and uplifted by much of the music playing and some of my memories which are triggered by the 80's tunes in particular come with an extra dose of poignant nostalgia.
My mum's choir in Cyprus is rehearsing over Skype and a friend yesterday suggested we have a virtual disco to 80's music or a silent disco where we have to guess what the other person is dancing to.
I have another friend who once famously (and drunkenly) re-enacted the entire Thriller zombie dance alone on a dance floor surrounded by small children. Maybe we could take this time to learn the whole dance so we can blend in if the zombie apocalypse finally comes?
Food
I am quite motivated by food at the best of times and find myself currently thinking about the next meal earlier and earlier. There may have been some snacking too. One lovely client sent me some Rocky Road bars which I had every intention of rationing. Hands up who thinks there are any left.
This week my son treated us to an Indian takeaway and it was wonderful.
It did feel a little like taking delivery of a radioactive unexploded bomb, but once the food was safely unwrapped the only negative response was the usual slight tummy upset I always get eating Indian food. Mainly because I can't resist tikka and that gorgeous yoghurt dip, both of which contain dairy products which I am intolerant of.
We have been so used to pretty much eating what we want, when we want it that any meal now feels like a gift. We have salmon tonight but I know from anecdotes that fresh fish is becoming hard to procure so we will be sure to savour it as the luxury it is.
Time
One day some will look back at this with an element of nostalgia for the precious gift of time it gave them. During our virtual Friday night video meet-up with friends last night one Dad said he had never spent so much time with this daughter doing school work and really appreciated the opportunity to watch her learn.
I feel blessed to be isolated with five out of seven of my children, aged 11-20, and they inspire me with their largely positive attitude, ability to find humour in the darkest tines and a work ethic which many adults could aspire to.
I know we are lucky to be classed as a household, able to stay together supporting each other. I desperately miss my older boys who don't live here. Thank goodness for technology.
On a purely selfish note too I've been glad my husband is finding time to do some of the house and garden chores I've been nagging him about for ages!
Neighbours
I've always been thankful for living in our beautiful village community but this situation has proved beyond doubt that this is an amazing place to live. From kind words to selfless deeds my neighbours across the village have helped make all of this a little bit more bearable.
And I know it's not just my community. A friend in a bigger town nearby asked social media if anyone had a particular board game she could borrow. The game was left for her along with a lovely note and a box of chocolates.
Yesterday my next door neighbour left a little primula plant for me - another villager had put a selection of potted plants out for people to help themselves to and she had brought one back for me. A simple gesture which cost nothing in pounds and pence but meant a lot to me.
So there we have it. My latest list of things to be thankful for. Good luck and good health and remember...
You Are Not Alone!