It is International Thank You Day today and if anything, living alongside coronavirus has made things we previously took for granted seem so much more valuable and precious. While we are enjoying the easing of restrictions and steps back to a more normal way of life, everything can still seem quite uncertain. Many people are struggling with their well-being with stresses from the difficulties that the pandemic has brought. It may be helpful for us to try and see some of the good we have experienced along with the many challenges we are living with throughout this global pandemic.
It’s something said that it’s in autumn and winter that trees put down roots. So, at a time when we are very aware of the losses, distress and challenges of the last couple of years, how can we become more able to recognise and be thankful for some of the aspects of lockdown and dealing with challenges that have led to the possibility of personal growth and encouragement?
For example, maybe we have learned to:
1). Slow down and reflect on our lives – rather than living life at full speed?
2). Pay more attention to the world around us as we perhaps walk more and discover local places of interest and have the chance to look at our local area differently?
3). Make changes in areas of our lives or relationships that need repair or altered direction?
4). Spend time with others such as family, and friends walking and talking. Or perhaps reconnect to important people from the past who we have somehow lost contact with along the way?
5). Break the cycle of buying things we maybe don’t always need? What will we focus our resources and time on after lockdown? Will things return to normal, or will we invest our energies in activities that bring joy and connection to others?
6). Learn new skills such as a language, an instrument, or a skill like wood turning? Will we continue with these new opportunities or will life squeeze these new things out?
7). Continue to communicate differently – such as using video calls, embracing the added immediacy and connection this offers with family and friends.
8). Live and work in new ways – perhaps saving wasted hours and costs of unnecessary commuting? Or even changing job- with more new businesses than ever set up over the last couple of years with people having to make big career moves.
9). Recognise frontline workers not only in health and social care, but also in shops, care homes, nurseries, factories, cleaning and those who pick and home deliver food – with so many more people in jobs that have often been underpaid and under recognised previously.
10). Re-discover our sense of community – with people setting up local social media groups, or volunteering and helping neighbours with practical help.
11). Cook sometimes from raw ingredients rather than just heating things up – and noticing the difference.
12). Live life in greener ways -with more walking and cycling and less driving.
13). Remember some of the things we knew as children through taking part in home schooling – as well as realising the tough job teachers have.
14). Spend time with children -where they are part of our lives.
15). Potentially have got fitter if we have been able to get out more or discover new ways of getting fitter or more flexible at home with online exercise classes, Pilates, yoga or more.
Finally have we recognised any other things we can be thankful for – people, health, our local area, neighbours, work, opportunities, family and friends?
What are you thankful for? Please share with us on our Facebook Page, we would love to hear.
If you want to Slow Down and Be more thankful, our book is a handy guide to learning to practise mindfulness and see things as they really are and help you to tackle the tough times with a clearer picture of what really is going on.
Sign up for our free course where you can learn more life skills, be happier, calmer and able to cope with things better visit www.llttf.com
The Living Life to the Full Team.