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There couldn’t be a better time for Mental Health Awareness week.  Now that the government restrictions due to the corona virus are being lifted, more people are anxious about the repercussions.

It’s still out there; bosses and employees alike are trying to make the journey to work and the work environment a relatively safe place to be.  There’s reports about employees refusing to go back to work because they don’t feel safe.  Completely understandable.  However, companies have it tough, they can only follow guidelines, these are unchartered waters. I suspect the majority of companies have their employees’ best interests at heart.  Ultimately, we just need to be kind to one another and listen. Don’t bolt out of panic, take 5 minutes to listen and then digest the information.

In the rush to “get back to normal” we need to be careful not to trample one another.  During the lockdown, people have amazed and been amazed at the kindness and consideration shown.  How neighbours have cared for one another, how the NHS has given us a national sense of pride and brought us together.

We’ve taken time to smell the proverbial coffee, listen to bird song, actually enjoy each others’ company. Stepped off the hamster wheel.  The environment has definitely benefited from the lack of commuter traffic.  It’s a bit daft isn’t it?  That many of us pass each other driving from our homes to our workplace.  I drive to Basingstoke from Reading and see the same sad faces in the cars on the opposite carriageway.  Working from home may well be the way forward. Never mind buying more efficient cars, maybe we should just drive less.

For many life has felt good during lockdown, for many it’s been terrifying.  Anxiety, lack of control, loneliness, depression, no routine – no fun at all.  We need to keep an eye out for those who are struggling.  And it’s not always who you think.  The friends that are strong, the copers, the organisers can often be the ones masking the worry.  Check on all your friends and keep it up.

So, in this week dedicated to Mental Health awareness, why not consider what baggage you want to take into the future.  What are you going to leave behind and what are you going to embrace?  My only suggestion would be to travel light, don’t over complicate things.  Let’s keep life simple.