It’s been more than five months since I’ve written a personal piece. Feels strange. Writers are always told, “just write”. Even if you don’t feel like it; even if it’s not great. It’s the only way to improve your craft. And then there’s the dreaded ‘writers block’…


There hasn’t been a lack of content. On the contrary, there’s been so much. I think that’s what has ‘immobilised’ me. I’ve been caught between living and my need to share. We’ve had incredible highs and devastating lows over the past few months.

Our dear friend, Load Shedding returned with a vengeance.

The Springboks won the 2019 Rugby World Cup against all odds. Our dear friend, Load Shedding returned with a vengeance. Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe, beautiful validation for Africans around the world. Even more Load Shedding. Oh, let’s not forget the water drama. And more recently, a recession. And then Coronavirus. That drink will never be the same again. Feels like we’re smacked from all angles. Ouch!


I must admit, I’m still a little shellshocked after President Ramaphosa’s declaration
of a national state of disaster last night (15 March 2020). As the next few
days and weeks unfold, our lives are going to change in ways that we cannot
even imagine today.


For one, I’ve just realised that, in addition to my role as wife, mother, employer,
consultant, businesswoman, I’m now going to have to add teacher/au pair. Yes.
Since our children are now confined to home for the next few weeks, and schools
are scrambling (we are so thankful) to create learning continuity plans, guess
who that responsibility falls to?


My heart goes out to those families who will struggle with this, essentially an unplanned holiday with no holiday club available. And whilst the President has said this stay away is until after Easter, there are too many unknown variables here; we just don’t know.

That’s what’s important here.

I’m not complaining. Drastic times demand drastic measures; this is for our collective protection. That’s what’s important here. Actually, that’s what has been on my mind over the past few months. What is important?


This question is my guiding principle. It started with my own personal mini-crisis towards the end of November last year. It was a combination of year-end fatigue but also hormonal realignment. That blasted M-word. I’ll eventually get to that discussion. My point is that whenever I am physically vulnerable and weak, I’m completely thrown off.


This incapacitation has been happening more frequently. Migraines are becoming
commonplace. Each time I think I’ve found the cause, with some respite, the
headaches return. I feel helpless; I don’t like it. When we are not aligned,
body, mind and soul, we will always be at odds with ourselves and the world. As
a Libran, I like to say unbalanced.   


So, as I experience this personal complication within the current external turmoil, it’s been a very bumpy ride. I was convinced that 2019 was such a disaster and look, not even through quarter one and 2020 is set to be one for the history books. Talk about defining a decade.

It’s that there is a seismic shift in our world order.

There’s only one thing that’s clear in this chaos. It’s that there is a seismic shift in our world order. We are compelled to change our outlook; we must change how we view ourselves and each other. This is how I’m working through the madness.


Every day is a surprise

Really, it is. We never know what is coming. When most of us woke up on Sunday morning, we had no idea that, for the first time in our democracy, there would be a state of disaster in effect come midnight. All my school-week routine overturned,
just like that.


I know it’s easier said than done, but we really need to expect change. All of it. When you expect change, and it unfolds, your reaction is not weighted in any particular way. It just is. And you get on with it. Surprisingly, with lots more gratitude.


Reduce and reuse

Concern for the environment is no longer the domain of the privileged. We all must realign our thinking around our consumption. Not only how it impacts our environment, but also how it impacts us. Our health, our state of mind, and general
wellbeing.


What I’m learning through all these disasters is that we can live without. We don’t die during the 4-hour periods of darkness. Using less water in the shower doesn’t make one any less clean. And practicing good personal hygiene – any child in primary school during the 80s knows that “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”- is back to basics.


Social media is not social

Yes, we’ve been told to limit social contact, but social media is not the next best thing. Am I the only one who is appalled by the absolute nonsense that we must endure online? Fake news around Coronavirus is phenomenal. And racist. How about we start relating to the people around us? Spending quality time with those
closest to us. Making eye contact when we talk. Now there’s a new concept.


Go ahead and daydream

“Stop daydreaming!”. Again, if you were a child of the 80s, you would have heard that retort thrown at you or a classmate or your siblings at least once. Parents and
teachers killed children’s dreams at will with those two words. Daydreaming was
something to be avoided.


Fortunately, we now know that the power to dream propels our ability to thrive and live our best lives.  The Universe has given us pause moments and we need to use this time productively.


Change is the lifeblood of our existence. If it’s purposeful, it’s usually painful. What
an exciting time to be alive!


The world as we know it is changing right before our eyes. This is not the time to shrink in fear and anxiety. Those poised with purpose and passion will win.