Mila
London, UK
Teacher

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Where are you at this very moment and how are you feeling? 

The pandemic has been a time of many peaks and troughs. Some days have evoked feelings of complete peace and utter frustration in equal amounts. After having experienced strong feelings of limbo/stagnation for some time I’m currently in a place of trying (very hard) to surrender and to know that ‘life is happening now’, life is not what will happen once ‘this is all over’. 

Looking back on the past months, what have you been struggling with the most?

The lack of routine. For years I convinced myself I’m a free-spirit and enjoy the time and space to roam. Turns out I need structure and struggle to motivate myself day to day without the once clearly defined perimeters of ‘work’ and ‘social life’. 

Has Corona taught you anything about yourself that you didn’t know before?

Perhaps that my ‘coping mechanisms’ are rather self destructive in nature and not truly helpful for my overall wellbeing.  

They say every crisis is a chance for growth. Where have you grown over the past months?

The growth for me has come from trying hard to accept. Accept my automated responses to various situations and emotions that have presented themselves in the last few months and learning to be gentle with myself during this time. 

With everyone focusing their attention on COVID-19, which other topic doesn’t get enough attention any more in your opinion?

The joys of day to day life. The really small stuff that would never make it on to the evening news but the stuff that is most valuable and nourishing to focus on (well, for me at least) For example a houseplant growing new leaves, holding a yoga arm balance for 2 breaths longer than before, the feeling of an empty laundry basket, cooking with produce you’ve grown yourself in the garden during lockdown, getting a card from a loved one in the post… smiling to yourself every time you walk past that card. 

However complicated, confusing, and challenging life may be, there are always so many things we can be thankful for if we take the time to look for them. What are you grateful for today?

The feeling of home
The feeling of health
The time and space to just be.

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Tammi
Bangkok, Thailand
Restaurateur at Nourish Café

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Where are you at this very moment and how are you feeling?

At home, feeling fine, a little anxious about the amount of things on my to do list for the next week, but also excited about the weekend coming up, a retreat on the coast which I am hosting and catering.

Looking back on the past months, what have you been struggling with the most?

Social media showing up how ignorant so many people are

Has Corona taught you anything about yourself that you didn’t know before?

I’m proud that I made good decisions early on, kept 10 people in employment throughout, never stopped pushing forward and working on ways to keep my business alive, kept up a good level of fitness on my own, even though my gym was closed. I suppose none of that is a surprise, but you never know how you’ll react in a situation like this until it happens.

They say every crisis is a chance for growth. Where have you grown over the past months?

I tried to grow food and aside from a lovely basil plant, it was a total failure.

I learned how to turn fruit juice alcoholic.

I continued to improve my Jiu Jitsu, even with no training partners.

But none of that was out of my comfort zone so I can’t claim to have done anything extraordinary. My business was open throughout lockdown so I didn’t really have total isolation or tons of free time.

With everyone focusing their attention on COVID-19, which other topic doesn’t get enough attention any more in your opinion?

Climate change!

However complicated, confusing, and challenging life may be, there are always so many things we can be thankful for if we take the time to look for them. What are you grateful for today?

My family, all healthy and safe.
My own health.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

>>> Read the previous chapters of The COVID Diaries here:
Kat’s and Petrie’s Story
Kim’s and Anne’s Story.
Beate’s and Janine’s Story.
Louise’s and Constanze’s Story.

>>> Read the introduction to The COVID Diaries here