I’m not sure any of us could have predicted even at the start of the year, that 2020 would have turned out the way it has so far. At times over the last few months I have woken up and felt like I was still dreaming... a deadly virus has taken hold of the World, forcing borders to close, trade to halt, people to stay inside and cease contact with others in a bid to stop the spread...A few months ago I’d have assumed I was reading the script for a horror movie, now it’s just reality! I’m sure I’m not the only one to have felt, and still feel, like the whole situation is very surreal.
I know I’m not alone in having found my emotions all over the place too, the Corona Coaster as some people are calling it....feeling positive and optimistic one moment, and scared and anxious the next.
Like everyone, I’ve had plenty of worries...about the health of my family and friends, and about my work as the owner of a small new business operating in the tourism industry and how I would afford to pay the bills and keep food on the table. This season had been looking like a busy and successful one, and I was planning to welcome many guests to join us on mountain bike trips in the UK and abroad. Almost overnight the situation changed and all plans went out of the window, meaning the business turnover, and my income for the foreseeable future, dropped to nothing. That’s a very scary thing when there is so much uncertainty surrounding how long this situation might go on for...it’s been the cause of many sleepless nights.
But again I know I’m not alone. Living through a pandemic is tough for everyone, for different reasons. Some may have less financial worries, but feel stressed by the need to try and juggle work and childcare at home, others feel anxious because their health puts them at greater risk of falling seriously ill from catching the virus, and those on the frontline working in healthcare or care home settings must have had fears of transmitting the virus to loved ones, as well as having to put themselves at risk, and the difficult job of caring for people seriously ill and dying. I doubt anyone has found it easy adapting to a new way of life.
But despite all this, like any other time in my life when I’ve been faced with difficult situations, I’ve found it important to try and keep things in perspective and focus on the positives to mentally get me through these tough times. There are things we have little or no control over, but there are also those we do. We can choose to look at a situation in a positive way, and that can completely change your outlook and emotions about it.
Of course it’s never quite as simple as that in reality, and while this has been my goal, believe me I can’t always stick to it and negativity does creep in from time to time!
I have chosen to frequently try to remind myself of everything I have to be grateful for: I am healthy, I have a roof over my head, access to the outdoors has been allowed throughout lockdown, and I live in a place where I can easily and safely reach that from my front door.
And I have a bike. (well, a couple actually)
Bikes have been my saviour at many times in my life...and once again over the last few months, my bike has been the thing that has kept me sane. On any given day, it is normally the answer to any of my problems.
Feeling stressed and anxious? Go for a ride
Feeling grumpy and frustrated? Go for a ride
Feeling lethargic, bored and lacking motivation for anything? Go for a ride Feeling sad and down? Go for a ride