Re-entering life after lockdown - learnings and unlearnings
So, we’ve made it - at least here in the UK we have got through the full lockdown and we’re now entering the phase of ‘Lockdown Lite,’ as some are calling it. Are you excited? Ready to get back to life as it was before, full throttle? For many of us the answer to this is a resounding ‘no.’ There is an enormous amount of caution in the air as we start to get back to some semblance of normality - and perhaps confusion too. We have all lived a very different way of life over the past year, especially during the first half of 2021, and there is as much to unlearn now as there is to re-learn.
Re-entering a life that’s not as it used to be
There is plenty of optimism around right now - two thirds of small business owners forecast a return to ‘normal’ by the end of 2021 for example (according to a survey by business financial platform Tide) and approval of the government’s handling of the pandemic has significantly improved thanks to the vaccine roll out. However, in many cases this is optimism for the long-term as many short-term issues still persist. Plus, continuing this optimism depends on the ongoing success of the vaccine programme, continued financial support from the government and avoiding more long lockdowns. So, there’s plenty of uncertainty there and most of us realise that even a return to ‘normal’ isn’t going to be the normal that we knew before life became about staying two metres away from other people and always wearing a mask.
Learning and unlearning - where do we start?
● Give ourselves space and time. The process of recovery over the next few months is going to be different for everyone. It’s essential to take a moment to stop and think about what you actually need right now. With this in mind I am running a Pause Hour on Thursday mornings via Zoom, which is designed to create an opportunity for your own insight and inner wisdom to come through. These are facilitated conversations with up to six others that will leave you feeling calmer, clearer and ready to act.
● Practice compassion. Few of us have experienced the physical change that the pandemic has brought at any time in our lives previously. After a year of social distancing you might find it difficult to get used to being close to others again as the restrictions lift. Hugs, shaking hands, crowds, close queuing and kissing hello have all become taboo and you - and others - may need time to adjust to the more physical interactions of being human again. It’s essential to give yourself that time; be compassionate with your feelings, take it slowly and give others the space to do the same.
● Accept that we don’t yet have the full picture. Although we now have a lot more insight into the impact of the pandemic there will be some things that we just don’t understand until we have perspective on it. There is always great wisdom in hindsight.. Patience is going to be vital in the coming months as we try to get back on track, on an individual, community and national level.
● Start making plans now. If you feel ready to, this is a useful time to start looking at how you want to emerge from the current situation. There is no need to create a grand plan with bells and whistles. This is more about considering where you are - and what you’ve learned from the past 12 months - and putting in place steps that will help you to get to where you want to go next. If it’s become clear that a career change is going to be on the cards then I can offer transition coaching to gently and intuitively guide you through that time.
Change is the only constant in life but that reality rarely makes it any easier. As we enter another period of great change in the UK, re-entering the world is something that you need to do at your own pace, with plenty of time to pause.