Privileged lockdown
With so many having been furloughed, or being forced to isolate away from their loved ones, I am very aware of how lucky I am to have had what can only be termed a privileged lockdown. A combination of job security, access to house and garden, all with my wife by my side, cannot be taken for granted. But despite my fortunate circumstances, the mental toll of lockdown can, and did, still hit hard.
Man is a social animal. Human beings are designed for constant interaction and social feedback, so we are facing a new, and hitherto unencountered, paradigm in lockdown.
Necessary controls of mind and thought can start to slip, and have to be wrenched back, particularly for those of us who are lucky enough to be still working – or even working more than we were before. Dealing professionally with clients and colleagues alike, in a controlled fashion, has become progressively harder for many as the pressure mounts.
I, and I’m sure many others, feel like a boiling kettle with the lid strapped on.
Smaller details can reveal this pressure mounting behind the eyes. Sometimes I am watching very methodical, professional people forget the obvious, losing documents and recall, and can only empathise with this apparently common by-product of ‘kettleitis’.
A work visit to an empty London, on an empty train, was not reassuring. It felt very surreal. One constant being, the ticket lady who I had not seen for some 12 weeks; a welcome beacon of normality.
It is going to take a long time, after restrictions lift, for us all to regain our equilibrium. But, in time, we shall.
Partner at Rialto Investment Partners
4 年Excellent Philip! I am sure many agree ????
Client Director, Fund Services
4 年Really interesting read, Jake and I have had a similar experience but we have friends in Jersey who have lost their jobs or don’t have access to an outdoor area and it’s really made a difference. Hope you’re well. Claire
Building stronger teams, smarter leadership and unshakeable resilience - let's become Resilient as Fudge!
4 年Love the “kettle ITIS” metaphor - it certainly makes you realize just how much your freedom is worth !