When we emerge from this altered state you will doubtless have a list of things you’d really like to do. It sounds odd when so many of us have, not through choice, been working less, but the chances are that one of the first things you’ll want to consider will be a holiday. It’s likely that restrictions, a lack of money and so many unresolved issues, will make overseas travel a bit difficult for a while.
Being out and about, feeling the fresh air, you’ll want to to think of the future of course. But, as you enjoy your freedom it’s worth considering that recent experiences may well shape that future. We’ve all learnt a lot. Take some time to consider these ‘Lockdown Lessons’. Think through these ten things that have come into focus lately.
1. Technology is not solely the preserve of the young
It’s been a bit of debate for a while really hasn’t it? The fact is that a lot of young people think that anyone over the age of thirty is like, ‘well old, like ancient’, and that as a result they know nothing about technology and by technology they mean games, social media and any new App available. At the same time some of the ‘like ancient people’ would like to point out that most of the technology was invented by people over thirty, and that furthermore grandma sent a text last week - which included an emoji. What we’ve learned lately is that old and young alike can actually communicate through technology. We’ve learned that Teams, FaceTime and Zoom (for legal reasons we must point out that other Apps are available) are genuinely great and easy ways to stay in touch when face to face isn’t an option and, here’s a thing; now that you have communicated a bit more than you used to, you’ve realised that actually speaking to your father, grandmother, or grandchildren is in fact rather nice. There are things to talk about. It’s great. Plus don’t forget, you can stay in touch through the, now almost old school, social media. (But if you could explain to your mother that she doesn’t have to make all her Facebook posts in CAPITALS, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. If you could just explain it LOOKS LIKE SHE’S SHOUTING. Ok? The point is that communication is the important thing. All of us can use technology now to do more of it!
2. Maybe some of the old ideas were ok really
Up to date technology aside, and in stark contrast, it’s presumably become apparent to you that (it’s ok, you can admit it) some of the things you thought were seriously outdated and borderline boring are in fact rather good ideas. Board games, baking, making bread (yes - alright - you couldn’t always get the flour) knitting, crosswords, they’re all sort of enjoyable. So too is making things tidy. It’s easy to pretend that sorting out the kitchen drawers and keeping the lawn closely mown are simply boring things you did because you couldn’t go anywhere, but looking at it realistically it was quite therapeutic. Wasn’t it? And the results have been very pleasing. Haven’t they?
3. You don’t have to travel far to be happy
Which leads rather neatly to lesson number three. Because you’ve learned to be happy and content without going out, you’ve learned that you don’t have to travel far to be happy. Like lots of people you’d probably already been thinking on a global scale about the environmental issues of air travel and on a personal level about the stress factor of airports, fluctuating fare prices and what a post Brexit European holiday would even look like. Now you realise that the world is different. We still need to protect it and do all we can to arrest global warming. We have to find our way through a new political map. The fact is, if we’re gong to make the world a better place we have to be happy in ourselves. They say travel broadens the mind. You’ll find that spending less time criss-crossing the globe and more time in a good place deepens the happiness.
4. Peace and quiet is a good thing
See how these lessons are linking? Being happy does not automatically mean you need to be in a full on, frantic, atmosphere. Everybody loves a music festival, or a theme park and all the fun of the fair, but it’s become abundantly clear that some peace and quiet is an equally attractive proposition for your leisure time. Choosing somewhere for holidays where you can access attractions makes perfect sense; but being based in a calm place that you can withdraw to is going to make a lot of sense from here on.
5. Reading is doing something, not doing nothing
This is an interesting one, on several levels. When we say ‘reading’ do we mean reading ‘books’? Well, sort of. Reading on tablets and devices is of course ‘reading’. Interestingly the (no mention of the brand name for legal reasons again) tablet thing designed to download and read books on hasn’t become the norm in a way that was expected. But it’s still popular. And there’s tons of online ‘content’ out there for your information and entertainment (like this splendid piece you’re reading now). Not to mention newspapers and magazines. The real point here is that in the old ‘normal’ you somehow felt judged if you sat down to simply read a book. You probably felt a bit guilty too. But it’s ok. Really. To explore the world of writing and books, for education or entertainment is not ‘doing nothing’. Because that’s why you were judged and felt guilty wasn’t it? It’s allowed. It’s important. It’s fun. Do it.
6. The great outdoors is great
This might appear to be contradicting Lesson Number Five. But what’s life without variety? It might be because we’ve missed it; it might be because we’ve taken more notice of it in the short bursts of our ‘daily walk for exercise’, but suddenly we’re far more aware of the beauty of the great outdoors. It’s possible that putting life on hold for a while has had really beneficial effects. There are signs that its’ refreshed our streams and ponds. Less traffic has created a bonus by product of spring cleaning our streets and parks. The most important thing is that we’re all more aware of the outdoors. We’re seeing it differently. We’re appreciating it more.
7. We’ve been taking a lot for granted
We have. Even in the limited amount of looking around that your ‘daily walk for exercise’ allows, you’ve become more aware of things. Things like birdsong. And blossom. The trees, hedgerows and gardens all seem to have more colour now you’ve had time to notice them rather than ignore them as you shoot by on the daily commute. When we were about and about, and the commute was calling, we were busy. We felt busy. We rewarded ourselves with a coffee, a drink, a meal at the pub. We went to the cinema, and at weekends ventured further afield to attractions and places of interest. It’s only when we can’t do those things that we realise just how much we took them for granted. Perhaps more than anything we’ve been taking people for granted. The doctors and nurses who have fought on the frontline of this battle are the obvious heroes. As an emergency of this magnitude forces them into the spotlight they so often ignore we see just how much they have been taken for granted. Just like all the other essential workers from carers to drivers, from posties to police officers; the list is as big as our gratitude should be. We should be thankful too that we’ve been reminded of how much these people have been taken for granted.
8. We’ve learned that giving is good
If we’ve been taking things for granted we’ve also learned that it’s good when we’re giving. We’ve donated cash, given up our time and raised spirits with simple acts of kindness. Some giving has been epic (Thank you Captain Tom and every person who contributed to your wonderful appeal), some have been on a small but no less important scale. Even now, when we’ve become used to the legendary annual TV appeals, we’ve found new reserves of generosity. We have learned, like never before, that giving a helping hand, in whatever form that takes, is something that makes society better.
9. Family and friends are really important
Lesson Number 9 embraces a lot of the other things we’ve learned. Things like taking people for granted, and the importance of communication. Over and above it all though is the significance of being reminded that family and friends have an immense value. They are where you seek support and find your fun. When you can sensibly think about planning holiday time again think about the sort of UK seaside holiday where you can share time with, and enjoy the company of, your family and friends. Think about those card games and board games, the simple walks for pleasure, and the altogether calmer approach to your weekends and holidays. A holiday home is somehow going to mean more than ever.
10. Every day counts
We’ve had a pointed reminder that every day counts. When we begin our new normal we will be forever aware that we should make the most of our time. Work will be different. Almost every aspect of life will be different. As we kick start society, rebuild businesses and find our way forward we need to make sure that we make every day count. When we’re working that’s going to mean giving it everything we’ve got. Which means that when we’re not working we need to make the most of relaxing. It also means we need to plan for the future, because financial forecasting has never been more challenging, or challenged. Sound financial thinking, a wonderful way to relax, a chance to share time with family and friends, holiday time that doesn’t involve long distance air travel and all that goes with it - they’re all pointing to a UK seaside holiday home as the way to make every day count.