I haven’t written a blog post about what’s going on in the world recently and updated my writing journey. So, today I thought I would start by reflecting on life right now and my feelings about this peculiar moment in time.

What’s peculiar about it? We are in a state of obvious limbo. As Covid resurges around the world, Britain is beginning to feel like it’s on the edge of the precipice, about to return to total normality. At least that’s how it comes across on social media. People are getting their hopes up about an end to a year of illness and disruption.

I suppose the first question I have is, ‘Do we really need to return to the old normality?’ Or can we create a better, more environmentally conscious ‘norm’? Have we learned lessons during this pandemic which could benefit us as human animals, trying to regain a natural balance within the world? A world where we are a competitive animal, but share our planet with millions of other species. Who can say for sure?

Greta Thunberg continually reminds us that global warming hasn’t gone anywhere. During lockdown we have begun to work differently, with international meetings replaced by Zoom conferences, saving thousands of air miles and the related pollution. Can we keep this up?

Do we need to think more carefully about flying around the planet? Is it the only way to travel? How much of this travel is avoidable? Certainly I hope that staycations become more popular and work travel becomes obsolete. But Greta also warns that so much more needs to be done if we are going to reduce overall warming and prevent further ice melt, flooding and loss of species.

Where’s Covid gone, anyway?

The real answer is…. It hasn’t gone anywhere. Any scientist will tell you that it is a virus which mutates. Sadly it will continue to do so and pose a challenge for our society for the foreseeable future. I love the optimism of many people in the UK but we have to keep our guards up.

I think if we keep cautious then we can start to have fun again. But massive parties and large gatherings may be a bit premature, especially with the Indian variant lurking in clusters within British towns and already casting shade over the imminent unlocking stage proposed by the government.

So what now?

Let’s read and write and be creative. Let’s find new ways to live and love and have incredible lives, whilst having a consideration for the environment and some awareness of the fact that Covid hasn’t quite dissolved away. It is still causing grief around the world and as global citizens we need to consider that.

I for one, cannot wait to see a theatre show (safely) and watch a movie in an actual cinema. More importantly I, like many of you, am gasping for a holiday. We just need to make sure we look after ecosystems and preserve the beautiful wildlife that co-inhabits this stunning planet.

I wish you all a safe and exciting summer and hope that you go for your goals.