We have been getting the garden ready for Spring. As we were sat out in the sun yesterday, it was a reminder of this time last year in the first lockdown when most of our time was spent out there. And here we are again, yet now just about to emerge like butterflies out of our cocoons into the world again, for a third time. Hopefully this soon to be new “freedom” will last.

A year of tragic deaths, bumbling leadership, polarised opinions shouted out via social media and communities coming together.

A year of fear, gratitude, survival and new lessons learned.

A year of uprising, protests and voices being heard.

A year of Disco & Yin, Dream Yoga and many walks.

There has been much darkness but also some light. I believe the dark times bring about transformation, growth and lessons. My teacher Norman Blair has been encouraging people to share their pluses in his classes so inspired by him here are a few of mine;

Walks on the South Downs; I started the year going to watch the sunrise each morning which has provided me with an image in my mind any time I want to connect with peace. This has progressed to exploring the South Downs with my husband, looking for different routes, harder up hill climbs to get the heart pumping and big trees to hug.

A sense of community and connection, feeling in it together. When the first lockdown began we put notes through each others doors offering help when needed, we waved at each other when doing the Thursday evening clap, my step daughter and I did dance offs in our gardens with the boys next door. Rainbows in windows. Local Facebook groups set up to offer help and mindfulness when crossing in the street/ stores.

Being able to teach to a wider audience and not having to commute. I have surprisingly enjoyed teaching via Zoom, (apart from when the internet crashes!), it’s meant that people who are not local can join and I have actually felt like I have been able to offer a little bit of support through this time. It’s been an opportunity for connection and has given me a sense of purpose.

No FOMO, I was awful for not wanting to miss out on things, it was a big distraction for me. This year with everything taken away at least has taken away the constant, “how can I afford “, “how can I fit that into my schedule”, the juggling of time and money to do it all! There is a lesson here.

A slow journey to minimising social media. Not only does social media light the match of FOMO, this year has made me realise even more how damaging it is. I have found myself on it more than ever partly because it felt like a way of connection during this time. However with everyone posting all their different opinions on there, perhaps not fully considering the mental health of a lot of people out there right now I can only see it as a way to exacerbate hatred, violence, anxiety, and comparison. In a way it feels like a clever trap to keep us hooked in. I know this is a blog about pluses but I see this as one, an enquiry into how can I be on it less, use it kindly when I do, still keep up to date with what’s going on and still be able to share my business. Without harming anyone. Mindful social media! I took a couple of weeks off recently and I was unbelievably productive.

Time. Without all the travelling to places to teach I have still taught just as much and have taken a lot of courses, but I have still felt like I have plenty of time. I don’t think said “I am busy” to anyone in a year and that feels good. I am cutting that out of my vocabulary from now on.

An opportunity to learn and space to try new things. My colleague Louisa Rassmusen and I have ran a successful trial and workshop on Help for Asthma, we are now offering 1-1s and have a weekly breath for breathlessness session starting in May. My classes now are based on the healing power of coherent breathing (6:6) and are flavoured with neuroscience inspired practices to really help bring the body/ brain/ mind into harmony. I have trained in protocols that have been helping people with Long Covid, something that is going to going to be useful in this new world. My teaching has evolved. Exciting times.

As we about to emerge out of this 3rd lockdown my priority is to be as helpful as I can to those I teach during this time, times have changed and so has what I have to offer now. It’s also about seeing my friends, family, and having fun. Life is short. This pandemic has highlighted the importance of social connections and even though Zoom has been a welcome development this year I just can’t wait to be with the people I love again. I don’t think I will take meeting up for a cuppa and cake, or going dancing for granted ever again.