As Freedom Day looms for those of us living in NSW, there’s a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I think that for many of us, we are looking forward to coming out of lockdown whilst at the same time feeling a sense of anxiety about the future and what it will look like. Coming out of lockdown will be an adjustment. We are stepping out of our comfort zone, and protection of our homes back into the “busyness” of life, with all its demands. And just as it took us time to find ways of adjusting and orienting to life in lockdown, so too, should we expect it to take time for us to find our way back to our new normal and reconnect with life. It may be immediately, it may be gradually, but in your time, routine will return, and “normality” will resume.
Taking things slowly encourages us to be more mindful, to be more deliberate and to be more present.
So, if you or one of your family members is feeling a little anxious or uneasy about post lockdown, that’s ok. Instead of FOMO, it’s FOGO – Fear of Going Out. Most of us are facing uncertainty and challenge in the coming days. But as these past few months have shown, we are resilient, and we do have coping mechanisms. We will bounce back emotionally. What we do know is that this virus has shown us that it has its own agenda, and because of that, we are going to need to take small steps. This is not such a bad thing. Taking things slowly encourages us to be more mindful, to be more deliberate and to be more present. Hopefully, it will allow us to appreciate and enjoy the simpler things in life that we once took for granted – family, friends, a hug, a kiss, a cup of coffee with a mate.
Although I was a bit tentative to about the good news of restrictions lifting, I’m relieved to know I’m not the only one whose feelings remain mixed. If anything, I’m so happy for those people who have struggled in lockdown, for those who have lost jobs, and been alone. But at the same time, I do want to acknowledge that going forward, it might not be such plain sailing for everyone. For some, anxiety may remain or be higher. Depression may lurk too. This has been for all of us, a once in a lifetime experience, and one which, hopefully, we will not see the likes of again. So however your Freedom Day might look, may it be just right for you.