Who Knew What the World Would Be Like in 2020-2021?

Who knew what the world would be like in 2020-2021? 2020-2021 has been challenging with COVID-19 and lockdowns. We are prohibited from mixing with others, our masked faces, hiding our emotions, expressions, so that we cannot even smile to brighten another’s day.

We are not allowed to visit friends or family, we are working from home, others unemployed going through difficult times. Many people live alone, battling isolation and depression, families confined in their homes and the elderly feeling shut off from their relatives. There is very little human contact so how does this affect us?

Relationships help our personal and psychological development. It is human nature to be loved, nurtured and belong – “It is not good that the man should be alone” (The Bible). In Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs, he identified that ‘love and belonging’, whether it be in a family, community or social circle, the need for love, friendship and intimacy, are very important in helping us to reach self-actualisation.

Consequently, during this current climate, where life as we knew it has changed, we have been forced to re-evaluate our lives and personal relationships. Many now realise the importance of relationships, being able to express ourselves physically and emotionally. Where this cannot be met may lead to illness, psychiatric or mental health. Unfortunately, mental health has been very much in the forefront during this period and statistically an increase in suicidal deaths.

To combat this, I have made a conscious effort to regularly reach out to those in my social circle whether it be by telephone or WhatsApp messaging. I want them to have an outlet, to talk, whatever they are feeling, to assure them know that they are not alone. It is my way of saying that “we will get through this and all will be well”.