When we first went into lockdown 18 monthr ago, I had the overwhelming feeling that we were in it for the long-haul and so determined to concentrate on the present, explore what made me happy and enjoy it as much as possible…. after all, life rumbles on.
A year plus on and I’ve not yet managed to redecorate my entire house or landscape the garden and my bestselling novel remains unwritten. However, I HAVE had the great privilege of spending more time with my children. I’ve PE’d with Joe, baked, cut hair, collected for our local food bank, grown vegetables, zoomed, delivered shopping, completed a safe-guarding certificate, answered a helpline, hung wallpaper (badly), got my groove on in the kitchen, been down the biggest slide in Europe, become the chair of the school PTA, drank too much and life-changing for me - retrained as a coach. As a family, we’ve clambered over beaches in sunshine, wind and rain, stayed in a shepherds’s hut and caravans, seen seals on the beach. We’ve FaceTimed our loved ones, camped in the garden, litter picked and the other Campbells (with more talent than me!) formed a band. In other words, despite it all, we’ve had fun!
Whilst I’ve desperately missed my friends and family, I’ve found solace in becoming closer to our neighbours and friends within the community. Last year, the clap for the NHS became the highlight of our week. We’ve all got to know each other and now share a deeper connection than just a cursory nod in the street. Last May, with the help of our neighbours, we organised a mini street party for VE Day celebrations. The sun shone, everyone excitedly brought out tables and chairs, ate scones and popped open the Prosecco. By 10 pm we were dancing in the street laughing and chuckling like good friends.
Just before Christmas me, my husband and our children all tested positive for covid. I was unable to be ones of Santa’s elves in our local area and we never got to the Christmas post box in time. That didn’t stop Father Christmas from coming to our window to talk to the children and thanks to the magic of Christmas (well OK a lovely neighbour) beautifully wrapped presents arrived at our doorstep. We received many offers from neighbours to help with food shopping and the pick-up of parcels. At one of my lowest moments of the crisis, the kindness of the lovely people of Leytonstone didn’t let me down.
The first lockdown coincided with my decision to retrain in coaching and now I gain real satisfaction helping others work with their strengths and values to gain a positive mindset and happier life. Today, I emerge from the experience of living through a pandemic more grateful than ever for those that love me, grateful for my family and the amazing community around me. I have learned that happiness doesn’t have to be a five-star holiday abroad or even getting drunk with your mates (although let’s be honest, there’s a place for that too!). Happiness is something that, with a positive mental attitude, can be discovered and cultivated in even the most difficult of times.
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