APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEPTIVE…THOSE CHOCOLATES!!

Hi Guys,

Easter is over now and it was every bit as good as I had hoped for — minus the chocolate! The weather was glorious and perfect for taking my first walk after quarantine. I’ll admit I was nervous initially as Kevin had told me about all the new rules and regulations regarding grocery shopping. It’s pretty much the same everywhere. People line up outside a shop, 2 meters apart, and wait politely. Once you get it, it’s a delight as you have no crowds! I’m finding it surprisingly pleasant shopping in these circumstances. No shortage of toilet tissue these days, though I cannot say the same for baking supplies! Funny how things go!

I had been counting the days during Lent until I could bite into my first piece of chocolate. After 47 days not eating chocolate, I found it sweeter than I had remembered, and alas, after two days of gorging on it over Easter, my whole body went into sugar shock! I felt sick, migraines, restless sleep because of all the caffeine in the chocolate, and it clogged up my digestive system. By Easter Monday, I made the decision that sugar is just not good for me — not good for anybody! Daughter Ali advised me to just have a little piece but I’m a chocoholic — it’s all or nothing for me! So nothing it shall be for now.

The walking on the other hand superceded my hopes! As soon as I got down to the seaside, I couldn’t keep up with my legs! It was as if the top part of my body was separate from the lower half! My lungs were parched for a good dose of fresh air and my legs were mad to go walking. The walking has added a huge boost to the daily grind of social isolation. Everybody respects the 2 meter distance rule.

Building up your immune system is crucial, especially these days! So everything from eating well, exercise, fresh air, and eliminating stress are vital if you want to come out of this smiling and in one piece. One of the greatest gifts I have got from all this social isolation is the gift of mindfulness, and a greater appreciation for simplicity in my life. The gel nails have gone, the roots are growing out, and guess what? It doesn’t bother me in the slightest! I’ve become so chill about everything. I am sure many of you are noticing that too. It’s as if God felt we were all way too busy, too distracted and way too stressed! Like Mother Earth, we too needed some respite from the noisy grind of everyday life.

So when this is all over, what have you learnt from it all?

Hugs Galore,

Patricia xxx