Back To Normal?

The commentary around returning to normal rises every day. We edge together through the rather strangely titled ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown. And there is much to celebrate as restrictions ease. Not least, the ability to see family and friends again.

But there have been parts of lockdown which have worked well for some people. And it would be a shame to push for a return to normal and overlook the positives. But first, a thought on the word ‘normal’. It’s not one I like. It implies something which we should all aspire to. A societal construct formed through indoctrination. The more it is used, the more it becomes part of the narrative. Return to normal, be normal, live a normal life. Which is a shame. It risks stigmatising those who don’t go along with the crowd, those who do think freely, and those who decide for themselves rather than agreeing with the media, or popular opinion. In itself, this is a long discussion, and not the focus for this post. So …

… back to things which have worked well in lockdown. I’ve spoken to others about their experiences, and we all have similar feelings on what we have appreciated.

• Video meetings. I’ve attended poetry events I wouldn’t otherwise have been to, hearing myriad work from around the world in the process. I’ve also been able to offer more time to the charity I volunteer for, as we’ve convened via video rather than in person, which has meant more regular updates with none of the travel.

• Resource sharing. So many wonderful online opportunities have been offered freely over the last 12 months. From theatre to space exploration; there has been plenty for anyone who has internet connectivity.
• Home working. My husband has been able to work from home throughout lockdown, which has been a huge benefit. Not just in terms of parenting support, but having him around the house generally. Does anyone really get married and hope to spend most of the week apart, stuck in offices away from each other? Perhaps best left as a rhetorical question, but I know we didn’t.
• Having greater control over my own time. As anyone with mental health illness can testify, being around other people (including those you love) can be exhausting and overwhelming. So while missing seeing family and friends in person is a big wrench, coronavirus has offered a shelter, of sorts, against any expectation to present physically even when the mind is unwell.
• Taking the opportunity to explore the immediate environment. Without lockdown, I wouldn’t have spent so much time at the local nature reserve with our son and the dogs. We’re fortunate to have such a beautiful space so close to where we live.

• Watching the wider community come together on social media to support one and other. It has been particularly uplifting to see the donations which have poured in for those less well-off families who have really struggled through the last year.

I hope that some of the positives which people have experienced will continue post-lockdown. Whether at an individual level, or as a community. Be gentle in emerging. What is exciting for one, will be overwhelming for others. Not everybody is raring to immerse themselves back into life; I expect mental health issues to rise again once things are opened back up. And don’t strive for ‘normality’. Let’s instead celebrate our extraordinary, individual lives in all their diversity.