Going Viral...

Afraid I am jumping on that bandwagon and riding the coronavirus wave of reaching out to others in a time of self-isolation.

I suppose it's best to start with a grain of truth - none of us know what to expect. We don't know what the coming days, weeks, or perhaps even months will bring. We don't know what's the best thing to do, where's the best place to be, or what's the best thing to say. But the only thing we can do is to hope.

Now I know usually I avoid the corny and seek out the sarky, but today I think we must celebrate the small slivers of silver linings that this pandemic will bring. If you are self-isolating with friends and family, hug them a little tighter tonight. If you are protecting those vulnerable loved ones by keeping your distance, give them a phone call. Better still, send them a letter. Reach out in little ways to the communities and individuals around you who aren't fortunate enough to have their own support network. Find fruitful and joyful ways of spending your time. Set up a book club. Have dinner parties via Skype. Bake. Do all the things that you never have time to do in your normal lives. Take one second to stop. Breathe. And exhale (preferably not breathing your germs on anyone within a 5 metre radius).

Now it's very easy to write with this blue-sky thinking attitude when I'm on a keyboard, behind a computer screen, and able to breathe through my ever-threatening panic attacks. In truth it is all a bit of a whirlwind. A rollercoaster we're all riding from which we cannot see the track. We just have to trust that although the adrenaline is pumping now, and we're fearful of the impending drop or loop-the-loop or blood-curdling corkscrew, a time will come when this rollercoaster pulls back into the station. And THEN we can throw up all over our friends. Like I said - silver linings.

But all silliness, or sickly sweetness aside, this is to let everyone out there know that I am here if you need me. Phone calls, letters and video chats most welcome. Virtual drinking sessions encouraged. General lifting up of lowly spirits is a must for all.

Spreading all my love (but thankfully not my microbes) in a time of isolation

I cannot wait to hug you all when this is all over xxx

p.s. a silver lining for me - if perhaps not for you - is ALL the time in the world to write my blog (even if my material has somewhat dried up...)