GEKA Brady Road
Adjusting to a 'New Normal'
Vernessa Johnstone, GEKA Brady Road Educator
“They said it won’t be long they said”
“You’ll be right they said”,
Well it’s been a long time since I was last at my much loved GEKA services, since Term 1 - 24th March, that is 6 months!
When I was required to work from home during COVID, never did I begin to think I’d be working from home for most of this uncertain year, 2020.
Someone once said to me “you can just write this year off” (so to speak), I laughed and while a part of me thought Yes, another part of me began to think No. I’ve learnt a lot of valuable learning experiences and developed new skills whilst working from home during this Corona virus period.
I began resenting my situation and the decisions placed on me, being categorised a vulnerable worker, I resented my medical conditions and the restrictions I had faced. Thinking back over this time, I have become more appreciative of these past months. Don’t get me wrong, I love being at home with my family, (my husband, 24 years old, son, 21 year old, daughter 19 year old son and our dog).
I used to run a very busy lifestyle taking on too much, four jobs, plus juggling a busy family/ household and making sure it all ran smoothly.
I quickly began to realise the dynamics had
changed after all these years and I was guiding and teaching my children, but now it was time to seek my children’s advice and guidance, the tables had turned. Also, reaching out for help from beautiful Dana too.
My children had to help me get my head around the whole computer component of this new lifestyle, in the past I only really knew how to use the Microsoft Word component to complete TAFE assignments or learning stories. I have since managed to navigate my way around the computer a lot better nowadays. I still get a little scared as sometimes I don’t know what I’m doing? The fear of the unknown I guess.
"Tell me and I forgot, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I learn" Benjamin Franklin
I’ve experienced many up’s & down days, feeling emotionally deflated. We can’t go into our GEKA kindergarten, but I miss being around the children, families and my work colleagues. Missing the days of getting up, getting ready for work, figuring out what to wear each day, a little make up, perfume, generally feeling nice about myself, having the time to drive in to work, being caught up in traffic, having that sense of belonging, being part of a team and the children that await for you each day.
I miss all of it, “this was my time” that time to myself, the time to be me, enjoying what I loved to do most, and ‘Bam’ it all suddenly stopped .
I am so grateful to the person whom invented Zoom, this has allowed me to see and keep in contact with my friends, the children in my groups, corresponding with my family each and every weekend. I have had many zoom sessions with my GEKA teams.
I have been very fortunate to have an extremely special friend Josephine. Who has supported me through those tough days and enjoyed sharing the successful and encouragement days, not to mention the endless emails and reminders from both Josephine and Melissa, who have been totally uplifting, I cannot thank them both enough.
Overcoming my computer fears and feeling so computer illiterate, I can cheerfully look back and say I’ve learnt new skills like scanning documents, attaching photos, reviewing policies, track changes, creating zoom meetings, connecting up to webinars and accessing emails. I wasn't very confident with computers before.
The recent connections that I have made with other work colleagues who were also working from home, have been amazingly helpful, by reassuring ourselves and realising the things we have in common with each other, is priceless.
I’d like to share a passage my wise mother once gave me.
Take Time
Take time to THINK…
It is the source of power.
Take time to PLAY…
It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to READ.
It is the fountain of wisdom…
Take time to PRAY.
It is the greatest power on earth…
Take time to LOVE and BELOVED.
It is a God -given privilege.
Take time to be FRIENDLY.
It is the road to happiness...
Take time to LAUGH.
It is the music of the soul.
Take time to GIVE.
It is too short a day to be selfish…
Take time to WORK.
It is the price of success…
Learning the meaning of making time for yourself is important, something lot of us take for granted, being caught up in our busy lives.
Listening to webinars about mindfulness has been helpful, especially in our line of work which is such a “giving role” we also need to make time for ourselves.
In closing, can I also stress the importance of accessing or reaching out to GEKA's EAP Acacia service. It is a fabulous, beneficial service we have readily available to us all.
I never thought I’d be one to use this service or feel the need to speak to someone, let alone share my worries. It was a big step to take and it helps to talk situations through, you will feel better during these vulnerable times. Just please ask, reach out for help if its needed.
