Living in and around London, it’s reasonable to say that we all lead quite hectic and busy lifestyles. We have so much stimulation around us and the busyness of this can easily consume us. In our current situation of lockdown due to the coronavirus, I feel it is a great opportunity for reflection as we take a big ‘pause’ in our lives, giving us time to appreciate all that we have.
Being in lockdown, we have a lot of free time on our hands, and I’ve definitely found this to be a reality check as, although we are stuck at home, there are many who are in a much worse position and so it really puts into perspective how fortunate we are. There is also the reminder that, although this time feels extremely unforgiving and ‘unfair’, previous generations have had much more difficult experiences. One friend mentioned that “generations before us went through much worse than us at the time of the two world wars, and so recognising what we are still able to do is very important.” In light of this, we’ve got to appreciate the freedoms that we are still lucky enough to have.
This time is also one to appreciate the nature which surrounds us, but do not necessarily always take in. I’ve found that when going on my allowed hour of exercise each day, I’ve taken in so much more of the world around me than I usually would. I have particularly appreciated the sky and the trees far more, as the one hour outside has felt more valuable. So, although these are times of great difficulty and sadness, there is a lot still to be thankful for, and we must also feel awakened to appreciate what previously we may have missed during our busy lives.
By Millie Hindley
