Dear Corinne,
Yes Lockdown Life does require some adjustments! Good to hear how you made surviving working from home, easier for yourself, by buying a desk, an additional screen and noise cancelling headphones!
You asked how I spent my time in Lockdown and what strategies I put in place to survive the isolation and restrictions.
Well instead of bemoaning what I could no longer do, I focussed my attention on what I could do that would help me remain connected to the outside world!!
In a nutshell, Lockdown learning, online retreats, and a rule of life all helped to provide a structure and rhythm to my days in this season.
Learning took the form of various courses, some I paid for and others were free. My business coach Debbie Clarke swiftly developed a 6 week online course called ‘Pause, Reset, Recharge.’ Those of us on the course met each week via Zoom, where Debbie presented the material for the week and we were able to discuss it together. Each week there was a workbook to complete in our own time. Two of the strategies we looked at were Life Pie and Odyessy Planning. These helped us to consider our lives and to reset our priorities for the life in Lockdown.
I really enjoyed connecting with the other women on the course and also connecting with the women in the business networking groups that I belong to.
Moving from the secular to the spiritual…..I noticed that the Jesuits in Britain were advertising online 6 day individually guided retreats. I promptly signed up for one! As going to St Beunos, as I usually do, was no longer an option.
One of the questions I was seeking clarity on, was on the question of writing. I had a sense during the retreat that this was to be a major focus for me, for this season of pandemic.
The day after the retreat ended Canon J John, who was doing a daily 60 seconds talk on ‘a word of the day’ on Instagram, chose as his word DIRECTION. I prayed specifically that if writing was to be the focus, that God would make it really clear to me.
Two hours later I had a notification on Instagram. When I checked it out, this is what I discovered:
“Life is a book it has plenty of papers. Don’t stop writing or somebody else will start writing your book.“
It was from a guy in India! I had never seen or heard of him before! It definitely clarified the answer to my question! Thanks be to God! I was at that point half way through writing a book!
You probably remember the story of how I came to write ‘Sea Salt, Spiritual Reflections for a Contemplative Journey’?
So, I got cracking and wrote the remaining 26 weeks of reflections and launched these during the second Lockdown in November. I know you enjoyed the 6 day free trial, maybe some of your friends would like it too?
Of course, it goes without saying that, engaging with online church and my small group online helped me to survive lockdown down life too!
To summarise, here are the strategies that helped me survive:
- Engaging with online church, my small group via Zoom and retreats helped to sustain me spiritually.
- Having a clear purpose for the season – ie writing both Sea Salt and a series of reflections for Lent, Pentecost and Advent.
- Making time for exercise and finding inventive ways to do this within the confines of my home.
- Keeping healthy.
- Remaining connected to family and friends, predominantly via phone and Zoom.
- Paying close attention to the changing seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, as viewed from my home. And when permitted on walks in the woods or countryside.
- Praise and Thanksgiving.
I am mindful of the time! So I will close now. Let me know how you are surviving Lockdown life!
with love,
