The Pandemic Pressure We Didn’t Expect
Why do we all suddenly have to become ‘better’ versions of ourselves?
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Okay so I took a break from my newsletter for a week, life kind of got on top of me and I just didn’t get a chance to sit down and write it if I’m honest, but you can deal. I’m back now, and it's made me realise as we return to something resembling normality, albeit a new kind of normality, this dreaded pandemic has released a societal pressure I for one did not see coming.
Since the start of *cough cough* COVID-19, and when the U.K. went into lockdown on March 23rd, suddenly it seemed like we had all the time in the world on our hands. Over the course of this lockdown period people have been taking advantage of these extra hours bestowed upon us, productivity levels have risen to new heights. Everyone and their mothers have been humble bragging about how they’ve been spending their free time; whether that’s baking banana bread, following daily HIIT workouts on Instagram live, learning a language, writing the first draft of a novel, or making a sourdough starter (whatever that means), we’ve seen and heard it all.
Right now, especially given everything we’ve had to live through this year, I have nothing but praise for those who have taken the time to learn a new skill or improve upon an existing hobby. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I know over recent months I’ve been guilty of piling more work on myself even amidst all the uncertainty. Maybe I’ve been using this self inflicted increased workload as a coping mechanism to distract myself from all the chaos, maybe I’m using this time to take the opportunity to better myself, who knows - could be a bit of both.
One question I’ve begun to ask myself is this, when did living through a global pandemic mean we suddenly have to use this time to become ‘better’ versions of ourselves? What does that even mean anyway? A lot of us have been forced, in one way or another, to confront a huge amount of loss in either our personal or professional lives, or both. Surely it’s about time we cut ourselves some slack?
If you’re feeling burnt out, stressed, overworked, and you feel like you may be heading towards a downwards spiral, chances are you need a break. Whilst it’s good to be productive, and we all heave huge sighs of relief when we tick things off of our to-do list, it’s equally important to take care of our emotional and mental well-being right now. Don’t feel guilty for taking that much needed you time. Log off social media, get outside into nature, call a friend, take a bath, or just sit there and chill. The world won’t fall apart, everything will still be where you left it when you get back.
We’re living through a pandemic and the unending pressure and stress that comes with this is bound to take its toll at some point, but don’t feel pressured to come out of this transformed in any way shape or form. We need to be kinder to ourselves and give ourselves a break, it’s more than enough that we’re getting through this at all.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter to see more of what I’m up to, and I’ll see you same time same place next week!
Catch you soon,
J’Nae
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING:
- I just started reading Normal People by Sally Rooney, and even though I haven’t finished it yet, I can see what all the fuss was about and it’s easy to see why it’s been made into a hit TV show available on BBC iPlayer. If you want a good read about complex teenage life and a real twenty-first-century love story, whilst cleverly tackling themes of sex and the class divide, this ones for you.
WHAT I’VE BEEN WATCHING:
- Okay okay, Ratched on Netflix is my new favourite series. From the setting, to the drama, to the mind bogglingness of it all, I’m here for it. Did I mention the costumes? The fashion in this show is nothing short of amazing. I’ve never watched anything by Ryan Murphy before, but if the rest of his shows are anything like this, that may be about to change.
WHAT I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO:
- I’ve had this song by Disclosure, Kehlani, and Syd playing on repeat for days now. It's so good!
WHAT’S CAUGHT MY EYE:
- One of my absolute heroes, and forever idols, David Attenborough has joined Instagram. Whilst he may not be running the account personally (he is 94 remember), you should still go and give him a follow for all of the important issues he opens our eyes too.
ON MY BLOG:
- I look back at this post on my blog from New Years Eve 2019, and now I kind of feel as if it’s mocking me. If I thought 2019 was bad, then 2020 surpassed it in every way possible. Who knew what a car crash this year was going to turn out to be?