When I think back to March 2020, when our worlds changed completely, I remember feeling a huge sense of worry, dread and fear – there were so many sleepless nights! I felt anxious about all the people who would become ill or lose loved ones, those on the front line, our economy… but also in a selfish way – how would I get through it on a personal level, trying to juggle work, home schooling our 7 year old while entertaining a 2 year old. It was hard to feel optimistic with so much uncertainty ahead.

Although it’s only been a few months, it feels like a lifetime ago, and here we are now with a sense of our freedom returning and life resuming to a new kind of normality. And I’ll admit: I will miss lockdown. When will I ever get the opportunity to spend such a huge amount of time with my husband and our 2 daughters without having to share them with anyone else: no visitors, school run to rush for, or plans to make. I still don’t know what’s ahead, but we made it this far… and as much as I love being with my daughters, I am looking forward to having some time to myself soon!

Victoria Harflett
Customer & User Engagement – Jyre

Snippet, Reflect, Fix

Snippet
As George Harrison wrote in his song ‘All things must pass’ – “Sunrise doesn’t last all morning, a cloud burst doesn’t last all day… It’s not always going to be this grey.” Our mood and feelings are not permanent things – even if they feel it at the time. Thinking of the positives in a situation, even when it feels very bleak, can turn a negative into a positive.

Reflect
How has your mood changed during lockdown? What are the positives that have emerged for you?

Fix
If the you now could talk to the anxious or bleak you from the start of lockdown, what would you say? How can you use this wisdom the next time you are feeling anxious?

Growing up with 6 siblings has contributed to fairness being really important to me! But it’s not always easy to balance my own needs with the needs of others.

I give so much energy to everyone else: work, children, family, friends – that the intensity of attempting to balance that combination all at once, means the thing that has dropped in this period of lockdown is time for me. I’ve been neglecting myself, not giving myself time to work on my development and reflect on how I’m feeling.

Victoria Harflett
Customer & User Engagement Jyre

Snippet, Reflect, Fix

Snippet
One of our definitions of fairness is “balances own contribution and needs with those of others”. If you don’t look after yourself in this challenging time you will become depleted and won’t be able to give to others. It is also the bringing together of self and other awareness.

Reflect
How good is your balance between self and others? Do you value yourself sufficiently to give yourself the time and attention you need? Or do you forget to notice how others are feeling and put yourself ahead of others?

Fix
Find one time each day to focus just on yourself e.g. your reflection time – AND one moment each day to ask the people you care most about how they are doing?