Enjoying the lemonade

Eight months ago, the world stopped, well almost, and we learned what the term lockdown really meant. During that time we learned to adapt to a new way of living. Many of us worked from home, shopped online and experienced porch visits. At first it wasn't easy as our lifestyles were turned upside down, but in time we learned to adapt. In my very first post which was inspired by the lockdown, I remember writing, when God gives you lemons, make lemonade. Well I have been enjoying the lemonade during this pandemic as we near yet another lockdown.

In the spring, as time progressed I started to get restless and I found teaching from home a bit tricky. So I started talking more walks and found some pleasure in online shopping. I took the lemons and made lemonade. When the weather warmed up I found myself enjoying porch and patio visits and I really made the best of the time I had with friends and family with a good glass of "lemonade". In the summer the number of positive cases were down and it seemed we all got a little bit of a break. Not to mention there was so much more to do outdoors when the weather was nicer allowing for outdoor visits, the beach, camping and even patio dining.

I am not going to lie, I am enjoying some of these protocols. I do not miss shopping in crowded stores, I like the fact people must distance when lining up and I love that establishments must clean, disinfect and sanitize all surfaces. This should be the new normal!

Teaching has been a little different with the new protocols and less extracurriculars. For me it has been a welcomed change, I can spend more time on programming as I have less additional things on my to do list. I personally feel less stressed and run down this year, and I am very much enjoying the "lemonade".

Christmas is always a chaotic time. Running around shopping, wrapping gifts, mailing out cards and parcels, attending and hosting parties and for me a teacher, all the Christmas outreach initiatives and school events. This year, life has slowed down, less running around, no parties and fewer school events. It has been a much more enjoyable and relaxing lead up to Christmas and I have had much more time to enjoyed the "lemonade".

Unfortunately it will be some time till life returns to some normality. Until then think outside the box, make the best of the situation and take those lemons and make some lemonade.