Reflecting on the positives during this pandemic

It’s very easy to get pulled into the downward spiral of worry, especially during a global pandemic that’s being covered 24/7 in the news. Social anxiety can run high.

This week it’s started to feel like winter is not far away. The magnificent rain has made the lawn look extra lush and it was nice hearing the rain fall. Although I am missing a lot of my normal social activities, I realize I am lucky that I get to quarantine in a warm, peaceful home and enjoy these early months of motherhood with my baby daughter. Although it would be nice to catch-up face-to-face; having quiet, isolated time just at home as I settle into this new life of being a Mum is wonderful!

Sometimes taking a newborn out can be a daunting endeavor for a new Mum – you’re trying to get the feeding right, make sure you have the nappy bag all packed, avoid having a crying baby when you’re in public places, and so on. With the lockdown, I’m enjoying the opportunity to nest with my little one, dress comfortably most of the time, and although needing to work, I’m able to do it without being far from my daughter. Even though I’m missing my Dad very much, I’m lucky that my Mum and my sister have made it in time before the lockdown and I get to enjoy their loving company and support.

I feel like another positive that’s come about during this time is the new friendships formed and the old friendships rekindled through social media messaging and community groups. The neighborhood I live in have really come together in supporting each other through this difficult time. We check-in on each other. Books, toilet paper, and other basic things are being shared. Strangers are helping each other and forming new friendships.

I purchased a white noise machine for my baby daughter second-hand over social media. I think I paid less than $20 for it, but really what I gained from that is priceless – a friendship. She is one of my closer Mum friends to date. She brought me meals and homemade sweets during the first couple of months after my baby was born. Her two young daughters enjoy the company of my little one and we all look forward to more playdates as the girls grow up and as soon as the pandemic crisis ends.

"Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change"
Bob Kerrey