LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Wow, I couldn’t identify any more with that Lorraine Kelly cover if I tried! All those thing spinning around her head, it feels endless. Who knew that being in lockdown would be so hard? Apart from the loss of freedom and worrying about family and friends (granted, both huge things) you’d have thought that the rest of it would be easy. Not having to worry about things like traffic, getting lunches ready, ironing your clothes, meetings, organising meet-ups with friends after work, putting on make-up daily, visiting the family – without all of those usual everyday things, you’d think life would get less stressful, right? And yet, it felt like there was more pressure than ever. It seemed that in confinement, our worries became different, not diminished. The food shop became a military operation – there was no way I was queuing up for an hour and then forgetting something. I usually do a big food shop once every two weeks then pick up bits and pieces along the way during the week if we need it. But this was no longer an option. I’d find myself with huge lists and struggling to carry everything I bought. Working out the weekly menu was an ordeal too. Normally I’d eat dinner out 2-3 times per week, get lunch on the go and get one takeaway on the weekend but this too changed, leaving me struggling to come up with three meals a day, seven days a week that wouldn’t lead to boredom and/or obesity! I’ve spent so much time on social media – trying to keep up with news, checking in on family, looking at pictures of friends’ children growing so fast – and that alone is enough to spike your anxiety levels. And that’s all without any children in the house, I can’t imagine how stressful it was for those with little ones. So I, for one, am utterly embracing the easing of lockdown restrictions. I met my parents for a walk in the park on Wednesday and they’re coming for dinner tomorrow.
I’m aiming to return to the office intermittently over the next few weeks, if only to get a different view than the main road outside my apartment window. And I might even venture into the shops soon. Of course, we must remember these are only baby steps and this ordeal is far from over. But I think the prospect of returning to what we just came through should make people abide by the rules – nobody wants to go back to where we were.
Don’t forget, tomorrow week is Father’s Day! if you still haven’t decided what to pick up for the main men in your life, turn to page 40 for our fantastic gift guide. Whether he’s a backyard chef or a whisky connoisseur, you’ll find something that he’ll love.
Enjoy the issue!