Dear diary,

During the last 6/7 weeks, I’m sure I am not the only one who has been up and down mentally. One minute I am loving my own company and not wanting the lockdown to end, the next, I am missing my loved ones and missing the old normal. Last week, whilst doing some reflecting, I decided to create a list of things I am grateful for. I think a lot of us take so much granted and I wanted to remind myself that if I look at the bigger picture, I am actually very blessed.

10 – My bed! Now for some of you, this might seem like a silly one. I work in a primary school and I help children from all walks of life. Unfortunately, some of the children I help have nothing in their house except the bare minimum. The bare minimum does not mean furniture! They have a cooker, fridge/freezer and a washing machine but no couch or bed. They sleep on duvets and blankets on the a cold floor. So you can understand why my bed is on my list.

9 – My garden! With the current lockdown, I have been blessed that I have a garden I can sit in whenever I feel suffocated. I sit listening to music or the birds chirping away. I allow my mind to clear and I become present and embrace the moment. I allow the sun to hit my skin and charge my soul to allow me vibrate higher. I never really sat in my back garden. As I have previously mentioned, I work 6 days a week so I was never really home to enjoy it. A lot of my friends and family live in flats and don’t have a garden, so I really feel for them on days when they want to sit and relax outside.

8 – My car! My anxiety has been sky high recently and I really don’t like going for walks. I was trying to encourage myself to go for early morning walks (which I did 3/4 times) but I just feel safer at home. To get myself out of the house more, I’ll jump in my car and take a small drive.It might only be to the supermarket or my Nans but it got me out of the house. If I didn’t have my car, I don’t think I would leave my house.

7 – A roof over my head! This one goes without saying. It is no secret that homelessness is an issue in the north-west and no doubt across the UK. I never really understand how in 2020, there are still people being left without a roof over their heads. If I had a genie with 3 wishes, getting everyone off the streets is definitely what I would wish for. We all deserve to be in a warm, safe space that we can call our own.

6 – Warmth! Linking with number 7, I think being warm is another thing that can be taken for granted. To be cosy and toasty should be a privilege for everyone! I can’t imagine people would choose to be cold, wet and freezing. However, I could be wrong. I personally love being warm. The heating is always on, I love beach holidays, I have 2 duvets on my bed; you get my point 😂

5 – Food and water! Again, linking to the last 2 reasons to be grateful, it seems like it should be a given but I don’t think most people give thanks before putting good food and clean water in their bellies.

4 – Technology! What would we have done during this time without technology? We are blessed to be in a time where we have smart phones to video call, laptops to keep us working and to have zoom calls! TV’s to help keep us entertained. Apps to help us track how fit and healthy we are, to help us bake the perfect banana bread as well as helping the children with their school work. Thank you technology!

3 – My jobs! During the pandemic, according to the news, 1 out of 20 people have lost their jobs. The most affected being accommodation and food services. I am blessed that I still have work.

2 – Good health! I can’t even imagine how many are feeling as Covid 19 sweeps over the world and causes damage to many people’s lives. Not only has this virus taken people far too soon, but there are still millions suffering with many other viruses and illnesses and can’t get the treatment or operations they need due to the coronavirus. I have always been grateful about being in good health before Covid 19 and I will always be grateful.

My top reason to be grateful – I woke up this morning! Waking up is one of the most underrated reasons to be grateful. So many people, didn’t wake up this morning. A lot will not tomorrow. As soon as my eyes open, I am so blessed that I get to enjoy another day of life. Sometimes, its not always happy times but I look back at my list and remember, although I may not be the richest when it comes to material things, I am rich in love, I am rich in blessings, I am rich in opportunities.

I hope everyone starts to make gratitude lists! Let us focus on the positive points in our life, not always the negative. A new normal is coming but that doesn’t mean that our lives are over.

Sending positive energy and vibes to all 😘