After the turmoil of recent months, we have all been through significant changes. As we start to emerge, we wonder what might stay with us from our lockdown experience? Some things will have changed forever. It has hurt many of us financially and separated us from friends and family. But there has been plenty of positivity coming our of the situation, kindness, care and support.
But what a different landscape we face. It is possible that for many of us, we might never shake someone’s hand ever again. Will be ever take a flight to foreign climes again? How will working practices and commuting adapt? Already companies and employees have seen that there is an alternative to the daily commuting grind. What about schooling, socialising, dating, shopping, sporting events and of course church? We have adapted to life on zoom or waving through windows at loved ones. We have learned to live without trips to the pub, buying that ‘must have dress’ for that special outing., because there has been no where to go. Many of us have taken a significant cut in wages, or worse, lost jobs. The economy is sinking to its knees, productivity is non-existent and public debt is soaring. But what about the good that will come out of this period. Maybe as a community and as a country we might start leading slower-paced less materialistic lives. We can appreciate things we took for granted and enjoy the little things in life, such as the garden growing. We will look out for our neighbour more, we will abuse our environment less and we will count our blessings more and not take the good things in our lives so much for granted. Hopefully we will emerge stronger and more resilient.