How Are You?

It has been one of the toughest years many of us have ever known. We all know families and friends who have been affected by the pandemic, all of us have felt massive changes to our jobs one way or another and we have put in a huge amount of effort to try and keep ourselves and those around us on an even keel.

I know how badly the isolation, the pressure of staying in employment is having on peoples wellbeing. The constant juggling of the merging personal and professional workloads means it is more difficult to keep the two separate. We miss our support networks, our friends and family as we have to close ranks to control the spread of COVID.

In order to help with my wellbeing, I have been sea swimming most mornings, which recently has been dark (and cold). I am there at around 06:45am in order to try and fit it into the schedule of work, home schooling and getting back before the wife leaves for her job in the morning. It has ended up being a place where I have been able to focus mind and body and it has really helped me cope in a strange way. Other 'wild swimmers' may know the science behind it.

However this morning was a little different for me, when I finished my swim, first light was appearing. It was amazing how much this little change effected me. It was uplifting and a realisation that times will change, things will be normal again. It made me think less of the day to day cycle that I found myself in, and more towards what the future can be again.

People I know have made big sacrifices, working harder for longer periods of time, the increased paperwork / HSE / PPE / testing / travel restrictions has caused many additional pressures to what already was a demanding workload.

There are encouraging signs emerging now showing that things are improving, a bit like the first light on my swim. I would like us all to think about the health and wellbeing of those around us as well as our own. There is still a little way to go yet, and I'm sure there will be more challenges ahead. Lets make sure we bring ourselves and everyone with us to 'first light' and in time it will shine brightly on us all again.