I don’t know about you, but lockdown was one of the weirdest parts of my life so far. I am one of the lucky ones who survived it fairly intact, but I know many others who were not so fortunate and are still living the consequences of it now.
It was and still is for many, a time of fear, uncertainty, restrictions, discovery, and so much more. We were forced into living unnaturally, separated from the world and our people, and for a while with no idea of when it would end.
In being forced to stay in our homes, to not interact with people, and to not be able to lead “normal” life, many struggled with isolation. That period of our lives highlighted many difficulties people faced, which would usually be diluted by work, socialising, and all the other stuff we fill our lives with. Without all of that, many people were left facing their difficulties every day, with no distraction, and no support. As we know, many people were trapped in abusive situations, or suffered mental health difficulties they had been able to manage previously, and were suddenly left living all these difficulties every single day.
How did these people survive that painful time, and then how did they bring themselves back out into the world with all this new awareness of themselves and their situations?
On the flip side of this, some people have suffered anxiety for many years, sometimes for as long as they can remember—those people who have spent so much time avoiding people and the outside world when possible. Many people have told me that the lockdown for them was amazing. All of a sudden, life presented them with the perfect opportunity to keep themselves away from the world and to do the things they wanted to do. There was no social or work pressure, no demands to do anything they didn’t want to do, and time to do some of the things that made them happy.
How did these people survive it when the world opened up again, and everything came rushing back in, did they allow themselves to make some of the healthy choices that lockdown created for them, were they able to create boundaries that still kept them safe?
These are just two aspects of what happened to people, and I am sure there are many other perspectives of that strange time, and of us coming out of it. The mental health issues that were born during this time still seem to be coming to light now, and some of the immediate struggles still trip people up regularly.
Do not feel like you are failing, or just making a fuss, if three years later the after-effects are still difficult. Lockdown was not something any of us could prepare for, even if we had known it was coming, and it was so far from normal life that lingering difficulties are nothing to be ashamed of.
If you are struggling with any aspect of life, please do get in touch to see how I might be able to help. It is not a weakness, and you are certainly not alone in this.
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Hello!
My name is Julie, and I am thrilled to serve as your online counsellor. I am dedicated to providing you with the support and guidance you need.
With a genuine passion for helping people work through their concerns, I strive to create a warm and non-judgmental safe space where you can freely express yourself without any worries.
I truly believe that Talk Helps, and am genuinely committed to accompanying you on your journey towards healing and personal growth. Whether you're encountering life's challenges, seeking clarity in relationships, or simply in need of a listening ear, I am here for you every step of the way.
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