By Angela Ho
Talking with friends recovering after contracting COVID-19, it is clear that that one does not only survive the virus. There is a recovery period that is substantially longer than just hospitalisation. Post-COVID-19 syndrome or long-COVID has shown to drag on while your whole body experiences heightened symptoms or new reactions to this disease.
As only one aspect of the global pandemic, in reflection, while scanning the news of outbreaks of new variants of COVID, the other is the ‘long’ and persistent mental impact of how businesses and homes have had to endure radical daily shifts in life.
Hindsight, while we are still in the thick of things, is not always possible. Reflecting on the lessons we have learnt will go a long way in building our resilience for what the future may bring.
South Africa experienced some of the toughest lockdowns and restrictions in the world, with much controversy. It was the mental strain that was the hardest to overcome. The isolation was tough as an adult. I watched as my children struggled through without school, friends and the physical restrictions, a vital part of our routine.
Anxious the potential for future shutdowns is forever looming in the backs of our minds. So I wondered how I would do things differently if we ever have to go through this again, and this story popped up for me. “Inside Out Upside Down” written for my daughters’ friend Rachael.
I have always admired those that can instil such complex human emotions, fears and ideas in a way a child will relate. If you can relate to a child’s heart you can relate to any human, for we were all once that age. And we all love Dr Suess.
Toni has managed to take the lessons from 3 Principles understanding and inspired us to be more mindful and conscious of how our thoughts shape our feelings and how we can better relate to the world and the people around us. All lifelong lessons that we can embrace to ready ourselves for whatever life will throw at us next. Let us not lose those lessons when overwhelmed, things are ‘Inside Out and Upside Down‘ and all will be right! https://link.medium.com/zPAi0pYK7fb
