Counsellors' Corner

COVID-19: Forcing One to Stop and Smell the Roses

COVID-19 restrictions provided a human experience like no other.  They forced people to stop, reflect, and do things differently - willingly or unwillingly.  For some, this provided an opportunity to examine their own life more closely and consider how they wanted to fill their day without the busyness that somehow had become the norm.  For others, a decrease in busyness created a space that hadn’t been there before, and it was strikingly unfamiliar.  This opportunity to fill it was both exciting and dazzling for some and overwhelming and daunting for others.  With change came grief and the loss of the things that had to be let go, for what was an uncertain period of time.  Whereas, for others, the unknown became a sense of intrigue and curiosity.  As the separateness became the new norm, the languish for human contact was a suffering that had to be faced.  For some, this was and continues to be difficult to bear, whilst for others this severing of close human touch propelled creativity and forced connection and linking from afar.  The shared intimacy of personal stories transmitted digitally, the joy of opening up through adversity, a metaphorical "I’m still by your side", strengthened this feeling of camaraderie defining a sense of belonging and community. 

In many ways the human spirit triumphed beyond the restrictions imposed.  The coming out of the other side has provided a lived experience that will define many lives.  The importance is to recall the moments lived and the moments learnt, and use these to inform the future chapters in all of our lives - the realisation of doing what is important and interesting in our lives to keep us mentally well; the importance of connecting with people and taking the time to say, "hello", and, "how are you", to the people in our communities; and of course being grateful for what we have in our lives and who is in our lives and not forgetting this or to let them know. 

While the impacts of COVID-19 will be long-felt for many, it is important to consider what we have gained from this experience.  Gratitude makes us stop and think about our priorities and can help us better appreciate the people in our lives and the things we do.  It is an opportunity to stop and smell the roses.

Wishing you and your families a wonderful mid-year break.

Emma Moore and Ellie Keane