As we reach the eighth week of lockdown, I was honoured to be nominated by To Yorkshire and Beyond to write about the positives I’ve discovered during this time. Looking for silver linings helps us through difficult moments, and I naturally try to focus on the bright side — so here are the things I’m feeling thankful for right now.
The extra family time has been wonderful. We’re usually so busy visiting people and going places that it’s been a welcome change to slow down and just be together. We’ve taken more family dog walks during the week and are sharing all three meals each day, something that used to happen only at weekends. Sitting together and talking has brought us closer, and that feeling of bonding is probably my favourite lockdown silver lining.
The pets have benefitted too. Rambo follows Noah everywhere, and I think both will be sad when life returns to normal. Even the cat has been more sociable — we used to only see him at night. The children have helped feed the pets, taught the dogs new tricks and are snuggling them a lot. It’s lovely to watch Rambo leap into Noah’s bed to say goodnight; those bonds mean a lot.
I’m also enjoying working from home. Homeschooling is stressful and leaves little time for anything else, but when the kids go back to school I hope to keep working remotely more often. I’m happiest at home: the pets at my feet, birdsong in the garden, making tea in my favourite mug. Not commuting saves fuel and reduces pollution, which is an added bonus. I usually work from home one day a week, but I’d love this to become my new normal.
Loungewear all the time has been a simple pleasure. I’ve been living in leggings, hoodies and tees — comfortable, surfer-style clothes suit me best. It’s been nice to put my heels and work dresses away for a while, though I joke I might not squeeze back into them after lockdown.
I’ve surprised myself by enjoying the teaching role. It took a few weeks to stop feeling guilty about not working in the usual way, but I realised I’m still working — just differently. Half the week I’m a teacher, the rest I’m a project manager, and in between I’m a blogger, parent and partner. Once I accepted that, I began to enjoy planning lessons. I spend part of Sundays preparing: whiteboard word maps, printed worksheets and tidying last week’s work. The kids don’t concentrate all the time, but overall they’re doing well. They get through their tasks and earn the weekend treats: bike rides, baking and LEGO are top of the list.
Writing this has made me appreciate that we still have our health and a cosy home to shelter in. I’d like to nominate Liz from The Mummy Editorial to share her lockdown silver linings — I’m looking forward to reading them.
What positives are you finding during lockdown? I’d love to hear — leave a comment or find me on social media @mummyconstant.
