Should we be scared to look for Silver Linings?

By this point your entire reading stack of online articles and blogposts are probably inundated with coronavirus talk – well, prepare yourself. Here’s some more.

Silver lining can be defined as meaning even the worst events have some positive aspect. Whether this be having lie-ins later than you need to or working on something more personal to yourself, there’s every need to remind yourself of your ability to now be able to do so.

We’re all now well-rehearsed in those daily/weekly facetimes and zoom calls with our loved ones now that allow us to moan about Jake upstairs who’s definitely been on more than one walk today, or gloat about the fact that you can now do a 5 minute plank. This connection we maintain with the people we used to spend hours on end with are the most beneficial in clearing our heads, so these shouldn’t be stunted by any feelings of guilt or removed thoughts from how we are really feeling.

In the personal catch ups I’ve had with friends over the past week I’ve heard the same re-occurring phrase in each conversation – “I feel bad saying this but, boy am I glad….”. Sound familiar? This looming sense of guilt we all feel during socially challenging times have made me question, should we be scared to look for silver linings?

When the pandemic was near and far removed from our lives we probably all had an approaching deadline we knew we didn’t have mental capacity for (that or your social life was really starting to take off), so now can we allow ourselves to feel almost grateful that the gods have forced this challenge on us?

Friends that are having to remain indoors to complete dissertations now have all the time in the world (deadline dates aside) to perfect them. No more worries about who’s out having that drink in the sun whilst your library desk starts to resemble that of your bedroom or, finding any excuse to go outside convincing yourself that Vitamin D is an essential part of your day that should last anywhere between 4-6 hours. Friends that have needed that push to really delve themselves in to a hobby or career path they’ve been talking about for months but that job at Topshop was putting off, can finally lock themselves away and throw away the key.

The excuses have vanished.

Obviously – disclaimer – this does not belittle any trauma people experience whilst we battle through these months but, having something positive to concentrate on and be thankful for when we’re alone in our rooms doesn’t take away from that. So should we stop starting sentences with ‘I feel bad for saying this but’ and just say what we’re happy about, no questions asked? It’s personal. Knowing when to voice your positives and when to keep to yourself is key here, but negating your own feelings, inside your own head? Not necessary. So, read the room (or call), don’t push your ideals on to those around you (remember not everyone has to be working out or baking 24/7) and we should all get along just fine.

We are all aware – and if you’re not, maybe it’s time to start flicking the news on once a day – of the extremities of life right now, so let it be a known fact that we feel bad but, personally, we’re trying to feel better.