With our new reality sinking in, and for lockdowns being in effect all over the world for the last few months, here at Girl Museum, we wanted to recognize this time in our lives, and in history. This is the second in a series of blogs where the senior staff of Girl Museum reflect on their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be posting weekly reflections here, continuing with Education and Wellbeing Assistant Lexi Burrows.
Are you in a state/country that is under lockdown? What is that like for you/your family?
Yes, I live in the South West of England and it is currently under lockdown. I am lucky that I live with my fiancé so we have isolated together so at least I am not alone! My family and my fiancé’s family all live in the North of England so it is frustrating that we are so far away from them at a time like this. I know that my family are doing ok and they are healthy, and we are all alright. It is just very stressful and frustrating!
How are you dealing with the deluge of COVID news from all over the world?
Initially I was constantly looking up the most recent news articles to find out what was happening but I soon realised that I was just making myself more anxious, so now I look at the important updates once every few days. My emotions are very up and down but lately I have been more accepting of everything, and this has made me feel less stressed and more optimistic.
Do you have a “happy place” or a place to escape to (physically or mentally) during this time?
Yes absolutely! I thank god that I have my hobby of sewing as it is doing wonders for my wellbeing! If ever I want a break or want to not look at a screen anymore then I can just get out my sewing machine. I also go for walks when I can, I am lucky that I live near some woodland and generally it is very quiet, so I can often go for walks there and not see anyone else. I am really finding that exercise and fresh air is keeping me going at the moment.
What are you looking forward to the most after life gets back to “normal”?
I really want to visit my family. I have a new nephew that I have only met a few times, so I would like to see him again as soon as possible as he is growing up so fast. I am also supposed to be getting married in October so I am praying that will go ahead!
Tell us about your work situation – were you furloughed? Are you working from home?
I am currently working from home. I am grateful that I have been able to continue working as it gives me structure to my week, even if it is very surreal that I am now working from my flat! My fiancé is a key worker in the engineering sector so he has been going into work as usual since all this started. It is very stressful as we don’t know if he will get sick.
Are there any positives or silver linings to this time of quarantine? (ex. spending time with family etc.)
I have been trying very hard lately to focus on the positives and the silver linings. I am very much enjoying all the spare time I now have to sew as I barely have time for hobbies normally, and I am also pleased that I no longer have to commute for a long time, my ‘commute’ now is just walking to my dining room. I am also very grateful that I get to spend so much more time with my fiancé and, because I am working from home, I get to cook and bake more things for him.
I know that this will not be forever, but sometimes it feels like it’s stretching on endlessly. This period of time has made me very grateful for family and friends, and I know that once this is all over we will all be so much more thankful for the little things, and so much stronger.
-Lexi Burrows
Education and Wellbeing Assistant
Girl Museum Inc.