So, the day has come and the Government have announced that we can now social-distance our way back to work, back to school, back to outside, back to other people. The guidelines are clear – Stay alert, control the virus, save lives. People are being urged where possible to return to their places of business, which is fantastic news. But what for those who’s livelihoods are not there yet, or worse still are never returning – It’s incredibly tough, and tougher times are still to come.

Furlough has been extended to ease the economic burden, but as a realist I know that some things will simply never be ‘normal’ again and this has given to days and weeks of honest reflection I am sure, for all of us. This forced new pace of life has been for so many eerily liberating, with Fitbits vibrating madly at the steps achieved and the poor exhausted dog in tow. Homes have never been so tidy and clean, and gardens and window boxes never before so well maintained. Many have learned new things and broken old habits.

We have taken time to communicate – even a quick call in to the vets has become a genuine conversation. Individuals smile more despite the two-meter rule, courtesy has appeared. We know better our neighbours and broker new friendships in the most unlikely places. We are communing with those far away, be it by letter, text, media or video. Will all this change again soon – I really hope not – The new found interaction has to be at least one positive surely?

This alarm-free pause in life has been somewhat guilt-ridden, and yet it has bought about an inner peace that I struggle to put down in words. I miss desperately being ridiculously busy, but simply do not miss the speed at which I realise my life was rushing by. Please do not misinterpret this as becoming lazy, but I have had time to just be with my son Noah, to read with him, do homework, play games, teach him new things. My husband and I have thrived as a team. I think his realisation of what actually goes into running a house in addition to a days’ work was eye-opening because he is on board with the daily household things in addition to all those ‘quick’ DIY jobs he’s undertaken.

I meant to get in touch with so many people prior to furlough, and have actually found the time to do it. It has been good to drop a text to family and message friends I’ve not spoken with in a long time. I have been proud to ‘hit’ the local Ambulance station with treats and to leave snacks and gifts for the care home staff who are looking after my own father so well during this troubled time. Our postie Andy will certainly gain weight with all the chocolates he’s received locally and the bin men too. We have all shown our appreciation to those still out there on the front lines in our own way.

I have had the opportunity to write a little for myself too, as well as some pieces to assist friends with their businesses by way of articles and blogs, and I have done this gladly, with no agenda other than to assist those around me while I cannot be of use in the world as usual. It has given me a sense of purpose away from the on-line personal development I attempted to bombard myself with and housework.

Anyway, I wrote this just to get it out, with no real course or angle except to say that although this has been horrific in so many ways, and our hearts go out to those who have lost loved-ones. We will all know struggle I am sure in the not too distant future, but some good may well have come from this unprecedented time in our lives. Let’s keep our eye on the positives and learn to rebuild, not brick by brick, point for point but perhaps different, a better way of living and enjoying each day, appreciating the people we have around us.

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Covid-19 has ripped through Great Britain at break-neck speed, thousands upon thousands are confirmed infected, and the death toll still rises at terrifying rates.

Heroes appear in the guises of cleaning crews, bin men and retired GP’s and nurses. The white van has been added to the image of emergency vehicles along with the ASDA and TESCO delivery truck. We clap for these heroes every Thursday at the proper social distance and people queue in silence two meters apart, calmly waiting their turn to enter the supermarket – These are very strange times indeed. Streets are all but deserted and where they can, people work from home. Almost every business sector has been affected. Life is akin to an eery holiday in a deserted resort.

At the beginning of April, my MD took the tough decision, as so many others have, to furlough some staff to ensure that there is a business to return to ‘on the other side’. I won’t lie, I cried – I know this sounds utterly selfish and stupid, but I did. I felt useless, with my life out of my control. I am confident though that all of you in the same position nod knowingly about how I felt just in that single moment.

There is a strange guilt to furlough. Being productive is inbred, it’s tough not being useful and I am only a week or so in.

Online courses are good and I have been keeping the grey cells active, ensuring I have some fresh new insights to bring to the office table upon my return, and who knew too that we would all be such good teachers – Not the Maths and English supplied by the amazing teaching staff at our local schools, but simple lessons including learning new games, growing veggies and gardening and other responsibilities.

Our son has mastered a varied array of life skills and his confidence grows every day, even without his dearly missed peers.

Living with my mother before all this, was at times difficult (I will not lie) but during this insanity there has been a positive shift, there is a peace in the household, another person with whom to share the long days and frustrating hours.

Daily tasks are divided, light-hearted conversations flow and board games are played, but my beloved Dad is in a care home and although he is literally only three miles away, he is locked down and we are unable to visit. I fear that the sweetest of men is sitting there in his more lucid moments wondering where the crazy people who bring him hugs and chocolate and cans of gin & tonic have gone.

I have always had a habit, good or bad of doing everything super-fast. This time away from normality has already shown me an inner brake pedal, I have for the first time in decades, slowed down. I’m doing things once and doing them well, from just spending time with my household, to writing, cleaning to learning and more. It is I am sure you will all agree, a very strange situation for everyone.