With lockdown restrictions easing, it feels good to be getting back to life. Back to living rather than existing.
Seeing friends and family again, planning adventures, visiting the hair salon, all things once taken for granted, now more appreciated than ever before.
I’m off on a week of annual leave. My plans include catching up with friends and family, a visit to Conwy Castle and celebration of my 35th birthday.
It is time to make plans for the future as well. I’ve just signed up to a level 2 Counselling course.
I use counselling skills everyday at work, but haven’t got any qualifications in counselling, so I thought it was time I rectified this.
I think it’s fair to say that although we all understand the necessity of lockdown, at the same time we’re all fed up of it. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope. Millions of people in the UK have already been vaccinated for COVID-19. The Government has a road map for easing restrictions and for allowing a return to normality.
I’ve already been lucky enough to have my first (of two) COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Back of my COVID-19 Vaccination Card,
With hope in mind, here’s a list of 5 things I’m looking forward to when lockdown finally ends:
Hugs – With being single and social distancing rules, I can’t remember the last time I was hugged. It’s been a while. I’ll be glad to be able to hug family and friends once again.
Getting my hair cut – Apparently my hair is beginning to resemble that of Boris Johnson’s. Next time I get it cut, I’m going super-short, just in case of future lockdowns.
Getting out and about seeing people again – I miss seeing my friends. Messaging and phone calls just aren’t the same.
Going out for a meal – I used to love to do lunch with friends. I can’t wait until the restaurants and pubs are back open for meals out again.
No More Face Masks – I’m always forgetting my mask, they are uncomfortable and I just don’t like them. I know it’s a bit odd, me being a Nurse, but it’s the truth. I’ll be glad to say goodbye to them. I’m thinking of having fire ceremony and burning them all.
How amazing is this review of my little blog, it has literally made my week:
Antony Simpson is an author and nurse who blogs about all sorts of things to do with these topics as well as more general issues gay people encounter in the world. Describing himself as a ‘gay pagan man’ we were particularly impressed by his book “Mental Health Wisdom“.
It’s not surprising that LGBTQ people are at higher risk of experiencing poor mental health than those who are straight. Antony compiles his own experience as a registered nurse working in the fields of mental health, alcohol and substance abuse into a guidebook for others to understand then improve their own mental health.
As well as his book we enjoy reading his eclectic blog, where he writes about varied topics including (but not limited to) his life, cats, friends, family, paganism, living with diabetes, books, movies, and finance. He also writes short stories and journalistic pieces. We certainly never get bored when we’re browsing his blog!
