Lockdown. I’ll say it again: Lockdown. How many times have you said or heard the word and wanted to hurl something at the wall? Or wanted to shove another mouthful of slightly stale cherry Madeira cake into your mouth, put your pyjamas on, and get back into bed?
As a freelancer who operates from home, has two kids and a husband, I should be used to sharing my space, no? No. Nothing could have prepared me for this attack, nay, onslaught on my personal and professional domain. And while I would never find joy in others’ sorrows, I do find some solace in knowing that I’m not alone. That in households all across South Africa, everyone is struggling to come to terms with what is being asked of them.
My wonderful colleague Marana summed it up beautifully. “We’re all going through trauma and need to be kinder to ourselves and to each other.”
I don’t want to be preachy. And I don’t want to tell anyone what to do. But when I start feeling down in the dumps, I remember those words. And then I hug my kids. And life is good again.
Chin up, my fellow South Africans. We’ll get through this. One day at a time.
