Hope & Love
LIKE YOU, OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN
turned upside down. We are experiencing and talking about things we have never talked about before. Here at MiNDFOOD, we are now all working from home – as you can see from our staff pictures – with MiNDFOOD staffers in different parts of the city and even in different countries. Every morning we chat to each other, often by video, and check in about deadlines and how different parts of the business are going.
We also chat about how we are feeling about things. Our talk is often about the latest findings around COVID-19 ... then it slides into how we are keeping busy or what is happening in our households that day. Our families, like yours, are so important. As we talk about finding things to do during the lockdown, our conversations become wide and varied: discussions often turn to what we are making, watching online or a new cleaning innovation someone has discovered.
We launched MiNDFOOD in the middle of the global financial crisis over 12 years ago, and have weathered many big and small storms along the way. This crisis requires an entirely new perspective around innovation, fast thinking and creativity.
Even though Michelle and I are together, our three children are all in different countries – something I don’t like. Lillian is in New Zealand, Dorothy is in London and Henry is in Sydney. I really do wish they all were home with us.
And like you, if you’re in a similar position, we are not sure when we will see each other again; which may sound a little dramatic, but unfortunately that is the case. We call at least once a day and catch up. I miss them, and as a parent sometimes feel woefully inadequate that we aren’t all together; but completely understand why.
Particularly at this time, I keep thinking of what the three of them were like as small children growing up and how protective we were of them. I still feel extremely protective and am frustrated that we aren’t all in one place. I want them close.
Loving someone fully, respecting them and forgiving them for all their faults, is perhaps the most difficult thing. During this time in our lives, various emotions can flood out at any time during the day, good or bad. Letting others know how much you really care for them and value them can be the beginning of self-discovery and lead to a better understanding about yourself and those around you.
Respecting each other’s choices and decisions, listening to each other’s ideas, trusting each other and always keeping honesty within relationships can create very strong foundations. Use this time and make sure you are honest with each other about how you are feeling.
Above all, keep talking. Don’t fall into patterns of behaviour that perhaps pigeonhole you into being, talking or acting a certain way. During this time, make sure you are the person you have always wanted to be and are your real authentic self. No more pretence, no more put-on, no more saying what you think people want to hear. Talk from the heart; love those around you; and listen to each other.
Never stop caring. Sometimes the hardest things to do are the most important. It’s so crucial right now to listen to yourself. Use this time to reassess things. Ask yourself, ‘How do I really feel about that?’, and just be honest.
For most of us, home is where we want to feel safe and warm, protected and comfortable. It can also be a place where you are at your most authentic self and from where you can draw strength.
Now’s also the time to change things up and perhaps do those jobs around the home you have always talked about. I want to tackle covering an old chair my sister gave me for my 21st birthday (yes, it’s that old). I have never done upholstery, but how hard can it be? It’s worth having a go.
I want to make sure you all realise you very much have a friend in MiNDFOOD. You can visit us online at mindfood.com or one of our social media sites, or explore the pages of the magazine. Sometimes it’s easier to reach out and talk to someone about how things are going and swap ideas. I’m also happy for any of you to email me and have a chat. Send me an email at michael@mindfood.com
Communication is the key in helping us all get through this time.
Start enjoying the simple things in life. I ran my hand through our herb garden the other day; magically, all the smells of mint and basil, tarragon and parsley sprang up into the air, making me smile. It’s these small moments in time that can just give you an instant hit of pleasure.
Use this time wisely and see it as an opportunity to make a change in your life. We are all in this together and can learn, discuss, share ideas and show real kindness to each other.
Now is the time for compassion.
Michael McHugh
Editor-in-chief michael@mindfood.com Instagram@mindfoodmike