A Positive Spin

I mentioned that I would find a positive spin regarding our current lockdown. I have found it difficult to organise my thoughts and feelings in order to project a positive image or message. It seems I can only share my own experience. You will have to find your own positive spin.

My experience of COVID has at worse been restriction and at best space. That is my spectrum. I sit in a position of privilege. I have no direct experience of COVID as an illness. I am told some really upsetting stories of loved ones dying or living with long COVID. I am also told stories where people had a flu type cold or were completely unaware they had the virus.

On Tuesday, the morning after the announcement of a third lockdown, I felt miserable. I was cross and emotional. The Tower card is a good representation of my state of mind. An image of destruction, dramatic change, of loss and ruin. It is the embodiment of disruption and conflict with the abrupt and jarring movement caused by the unforeseen and traumatic events. In summary, I had quite a strong reaction.

By Wednesday I had got my head together and heard from family and friends and clients. I was not isolated and I certainly was not having to do this on my own. What was going on was much bigger than me. My tower was not crumbling, far from it.

My reflections have led me to realise that I have personal obligations:

• To be grateful that I am well
• To be grateful that my family and, as far as I know, my friends are well
• To acknowledge that restriction allows me to rest and take care of myself
• To look up and enjoy the sky and the land
• To be kind to myself and know my experience is unique
• To know that fundamentally I am ok
• To remember that all of the above is the truth – I’m lucky

These are not small things.

I strongly believe in the ripple effect. If you stay centred and take care of yourself, you can be in service which in turn creates warmth and protection for everyone, including you.

And then my social obligations:

• To respect the restrictions and not add pressure to a system that is in crisis
• To recognise that the system we are told about in the media consists of people who are individuals with their own families and friends and concerns
• To know that small actions make a difference: be kind, be tolerant, be human
• To give space but remain present

Obligation may seem an odd word to have bubbled up but it feels like the right one: it speaks of commitment and accountability. And that can be done in a spirit of love and generosity – turned towards myself as well as to others.

Does this resonate or does it irritate? What is your experience?

Let me know where you are with the Lockdown, the New Year or life in general. If you post a comment it will be public, if you would rather you can email me: Contact

With best wishes for a warm and healthy weekend, Yvonne x