Before I begin this blog, a disclaimer - I have always bought my toilet roll in bulk, usually from a cash and carry supplier. If I tried to buy more than two toilet rolls now, firstly it would be nigh on impossible and, if I did put more than two in my trolley I would be lynched by an old lady, challenged at the checkout or at the very least be tutted at from the safe distance of two metres. What strange and unsettling times we live in!
A couple of years ago my son was studying for his GCSEs. He was stressed, tired and anxious. He was ruled by the rigours of his revision routine. (I know you like alliteration Ali, but this is pushing it!) One day after I had done a big shop, I walked into my bathroom to be greeted by this image. My son had carefully constructed a wall of toilet roll. To cut a long story short, what he had done was take control, he had organised something in the way he wanted it. He enjoyed the distraction; he felt a sense of satisfaction with his accomplishment. He had taken control of the toilet rolls when, he had little control over anything else in his life.
Are you getting the theme here?
Yesterday I spent a happy afternoon in my garden. I tidied out our garden shed- emptied it, cleaned it, re-arranged it and made a whole lot more space. I took control - and I feel so much better for it.
I had been struggling with why I was unable to concentrate on the tasks I knew I ought to be doing but, with all the uncertainty in our world right now, I realised that I needed to feel that I was in control of something.
Now, whether you are reading this as an adult working at home, someone who is anxious because their work has dried up or whether you are trying to juggle cooped up children with keeping everything on an even keel, this message is for you. Do something you are drawn to in your day. Choose a time to do it and, when you take that distraction do not feel guilty. It is a therapy we all need when we are uncertain and anxious.
I take my hat off to all the teachers working so hard to make sure all our children have plenty of home learning but, it is important that you give your children some control over what they do and when they do it. I am not suggesting you throw out that routine that you have worked so hard to build. We all need structure to feel safe, but alongside this we need nurture and only you will know what works best for your child. If you are not sure, give them some space, give them some time, talk to them. Not one of us knows how we will get through these turbulent times but what we do know is that we are in it together. However hard you are trying, your anxiety is showing through, even my dog has picked up on it; so your family will be feeling it every moment.
Be kind, keep calm, be considerate of their feelings as well as your own and communicate…
Keep safe and do get in touch if I can help in any way
Ali
office@alimcclure.co.uk @AliMcClureEP
P.S. If this has made you smile- feel free to share
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