Normality – Is it all it’s cracked up to be?

A world with nature that is cared for is a world I want to be a part of.

Returning to regular blogging has given me a chance to reflect upon the world we find ourselves in now. As a writer, I have been tempted to explore writing in a different genre and as a reader I have started to enjoy books that I would previously have left alone. At the same time, watching the news unfold, I cannot help but worry about how quickly our lives are changing. The thing I cannot make my mind up about is whether or not we have learned anything from the pandemic.

What might we have learned?

People have ruminated about how much this negative experience has impacted on our societies and speculated about the potential for positive change as we embark on a post-pandemic planet. I have heard folk say that it’s made them realise how important being there for friends and families is and how important it is to value nature, for instance.

Some suggested that we may have a more considerate approach to the world after the effects of Covid subside and eventually allow us to return to some kind of normality. All of this sounds incredible. A thoughtful society made up of close-nit communities which look after each other and celebrate the strengths of individuals, while embracing all members, regardless of background and supporting the mental health of everyone involved. What concerns me is the constant anticipation of a return to ‘normality’.

Can ‘normality’ be a positive way forward?

This desperation to return to how things used to be worries me. It seems that so many are keen to rewind and get back to lives packed with entertainment, journeying and consumption. Will there be a temptation to party just that little bit harder as a way of compensating for lockdowns and remedying the boredom that has inevitably rattled the lives of those who found the restrictions of lockdown unsettling?

Whatever happens, it will be refreshing to learn that Covid is something which is no longer hurting thousands of humans everyday. In Britain right now the rate is lower than it has been for ages but there is still a risk that positive cases might rise again. We are standing on the precipice of a post-Covid UK but there is a fine line between remaining stable and watching the situation slowly unravel once more.

How can we make a new normality?

I regularly talk about how fragile our ecosystems are and how important it is that we take the climate crisis seriously. So before we return to how things used to be and revel in the chance to be free again and celebrate being able to travel, party and socialise, let’s take a breath. The world is fragile and our impact upon it is considerable. Now is the perfect time to reset the balance between ourselves and nature. As we take that deep breath, we can make sure we really have learned from all of this.

In recognising the delicate way that wildlife depends upon habitats and local climates, we can finally start to change our attitudes towards global warming. We all know it’s real and it’s devastating so let’s face up to it. Let’s make some changes and show our love for animals and plants which may otherwise soon become extinct.

As a blogger, I want to ensure that my writing offers advice to other writers, reviews of brilliant books and content regarding movies and TV shows. As well as this I am incredibly passionate about the climate threat and want to regularly look into developments related to this cause. I appreciate readers taking the time to consider my thoughts and I hope you may follow my blog and comment your own thoughts on the issues that I discuss.

Fingers crossed that we really have come to a turning point in the pandemic. These next few months will be a time for change. I hope that some of this change will involve moving forward by reducing pollution, cutting down the non-essential use of cars and having a greater appreciation of the wonderful and diverse habitats that surround all of us.

The awful floods in Germany and Belgium have highlighted the need to address global warming immediately. I hope that everyone can find ways to make a genuine change.

We have the power to make a real difference.

Moving on… cautiously.

Let’s look after our world.

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.

Come Back!

As the seagulls gathered by the shore,

Having witnessed a world so different from before,

They considered their options, should they stay or explore?

Were they happy to suffer or did they seek something more?

Humans had altered and changed all their ways,

Cut down all the trees and distorted their gaze,

The people became selfish, with rubbish and muck,

One seagull was narrowly missed by a truck.

Pollution was stifling them, clouding their sight,

Choking them, confusing them and dulling days that should be bright,

But if these dear seagulls should leave their old homes,

Would they find anywhere better, where they weren’t battered by drones?

So seagulls, just let us have one more small chance,

To show you we care and in your honour, take a stance,

A stance again laziness and rubbish and uncaring,

We can turn this around and end your despairing.

This poem was written to show how important it is for us to care for our environment.