We all know we’re dealing with challenging times right now. How can you avoid it? It’s regurgitated daily on tv, in our news, on our socials, in every message text and phone call with family, friends and work colleagues. We’re living it, breathing it (through masks if needs be), feeling it and processing it.
Or trying to. For some (hello introverts) social isolation (minus a pandemic threat) is their nirvana. For others, this is like being stuck in a rerun of a Will Smith blockbuster resulting in cray-cray cabin fever symptoms. It’s like having the song earworm of MC Hammer’s ‘Can’t Touch This’ on perpetual loop.
There are a few things I have learned so far in this topsy turvy sometimes frightening world. We’re a funny lot. In times of immense grief for lives lost and an overwhelming fear that life as we knew it may never return, humour and humanity has still risen to the forefront.
It gives me hope, heart feels and a daily bloody good belly laugh especially when watching any video involving the ingenuity of wacky costumes, choreographed family dance and naughty storytelling. I can highly recommend ‘Brenda’s Beaver needs a Barber!’ (for over 18’s) for much needed mirth and merriment.
Also for the record, I’m going for the Poison Ivy look this week as my costume of choice for bin night. I think this Facebook group are onto something in these self-iso times. It’s just another classic example of Aussies taking the piss; something we do so well when challenged or tackling extreme boredom.
I have discovered that love in any shape, form or size is the antidote to all ills and can flourish despite testing and trying circumstances. Having a partner, friend, companion or child with you in solidarity during lockdown is a gift, as not everyone in our community enjoys this luxury. Family love for me personally has been a guiding light to discovering what is truly important in life. Being unable to hug, touch or see our loved ones in 3D has grounded many of us. We yearn for the simple things again.
Today I joined in an online stream funeral service and felt great sorrow that this large and loving clan was reduced to only ten participants. Even then as grieving siblings under physically distancing restraints, they could not comfort and hold each other whilst cherishing the memory of their beloved Mum.
Romantic love has also been challenged under trying conditions. We were duly warned mere weeks ago to be careful as that one night hook up could turn into fourteen days! In the situation that you are a singleton, don’t despair as you could always try your luck at online blind dates with ‘Love is Quarantine’ on Insta. If you happen to be quarantined with your lover, it’s a good testing ground for whether you can go the distance post-pandemic or whether afterwards you’ll dodge the bullet, cut your losses and run!
One day this will be over. Business as unusual will be finished. Equilibrium will return. The footy will be back. And after we emerge from our bat caves, shake off the dust and cobwebs it makes me wonder how history will judge us. Apart from our shaggy unkempt soft-boiled bodies, arthritic texting thumbs and myopic vision, will our deeds in time of crisis match up to heroics of the past?
There has been much comparison to war time efforts with the loose use of ‘frontline’ and ‘battleground’, understanding ‘essential’ services and a need to ration goods.
Perhaps we will be lauded for our ingenuity in adapting to fluid working conditions. Then again, our diverse use of technology to socially connect a physically distanced society may be admired.
The process of a democratic emergency national response may potentially be viewed as appropriate and humane or it could be critically evaluated as plunging us into unmitigated debt and enduring economic hardship. Hopefully the amazing efforts of our health system, medical staff and research scientists stand the test of time, reflecting world class standards in horrific circumstances.
Or will the conversation focus on the Mystery of the Toilet Roll Hoarding Syndrome? Will Zoom be synonymous with the majority working from home in our Brave New World? Will Houseparty continue to replace the need for clubbing and pubbing, if it’s cheaper to drink at home in your PJ’s? Will Port Adelaide reign on top of the ladder for season 2020 after only one round being played? I shudder at the prospect!
With a new earworm of Monty Python’s ‘Always Look on The Bright Side of Life’, I remain optimistic that this moment in time will teach us lifelong lessons on love the ones you’re with, laughter is the best medicine and be careful what you wish for!
