Life in Lockdown: Is this what they mean by "being present?"

It’s day 19 of self-isolation and I am currently lying on the patio at my parent’s house in a pair of shorts and a bikini, topping up my tan on what would have made a scorcher of an Easter Bank holiday weekend.

However, this isn’t a normal bank holiday weekend in Cornwall. If this was a normal bank holiday weekend I would be sat at Fistral beach bar with my friends, soaking up the rays. We would all be sharing the excitement for what would have been the start of Cornwall’s prime season. Spring and Summer in Cornwall, what a dream. Literally.

But like I said. This isn’t a normal bank holiday weekend. If you told me on New Year’s Eve that the world would go into lockdown, I wouldn’t have believed you. If I did, I would have ordered those extra few shots on last orders.

COVID-19 took the world by storm, breaking through countries, counties, villages, and families, worldwide. I’m not here to explain what Coronavirus is, because you already know. It’s effected each and every one of us. More deeply for some.

We have lost businesses, freedom and our everyday routine. More importantly, loved ones. We have clapped for our heroes; the NHS workers, the shop workers, the carers and fellow key workers. In a global crisis, we have experienced kindness from thy neighbour, communities, and people that we don’t even know.

So here I am, sitting on my patio in a little outfit, topping up my tan. I feel somewhat very privileged and lucky to be where I am. In the three weeks of lockdown, I have read, exercised, learned, meditated, painted and spent quality time with loved ones. Despite the sadness, I have never felt so present.

In a time of global crisis, I pray for those that face COVID-19 and I applaud those that have kept the nation afloat. I have felt more emotions within these three weeks than I have over a year. I’m sure I am not alone in saying that.

I’ve always had a problem with “slowing down,” but now we have been forced to do just that. Use this time to be present, reflect and recharge. Better days are coming.