Hello!
How is April treating you?
It feels like we have come such a long way, through a very long winter and lockdown; but finally, we’re getting closer to the light at the end of the tunnel! Kids are back at school (that makes such a difference to me); evenings are longer and brighter, the weather is slowly warming up, restrictions are slowly lifting….Lots to be thankful for, lots to give us hope for the summer.
And with restrictions lifting, it seems like a good time to be focusing on Relationships as a Path to well-being. We have missed people over this past year. I can’t wait to be able to hug my parents once they’ve safely had their second vaccination. I’m excited to be able to sit in the garden with my friends and have chats and laughs. Many are looking forward to the day they can return to the office. It’s not the office or the garden (or even the pub) that we miss – it’s the social relationships. Being able to be with others, in company. This past year has taught us perhaps more than anything, the importance of other people in our lives.
And at the same time, we have spent so much time in isolation, or seeing the same small bubble of people, that many people joke that they won’t know how to talk to other people again! We’ve become more introverted, used to our own company. Perhaps you’re worried about the thoughts of having to socialize again or dread having to make small talk.
So maybe now, before it all opens up, is the perfect time to reflect on what has worked for you during lockdown; what did you like about it; what did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about what you need in your life? And then apply these learnings as we move forward. You don’t have to do things like you did before. We need to be careful not to sleepwalk ourselves back into a treadmill situation, running around being busy and exhausted all the time. Let’s go consciously ahead, remember what we want to take with us from this time, and create a better future.
What will you do differently? I’d love to hear from you.
Whatever you do, take yourself into consideration, do what feels right for you. All your relationships will benefit when you look after yourself. You are your number one relationship – you’re the only person you have to spend every minute of every day with for the rest of your life. So be your own best friend, your best supporter, your own advocate. And enjoy.
Warmest wishes,
Niamh