By Olivia Wong

Freedom Day…….long-awaited yet also feared. While we may all want to eventually get back to the normal lives we led pre-pandemic, we’ve also spent almost a year and a half being used to the ‘new normal’. So it’s understandable if some of us feel anxiety rather than joy at the prospect of returning to life ‘back then’. We may be eager for our first trip to the cinema or theatre, wanting to break free from the shackles of lockdown, yet find traces of trepidation at the back of our minds. This hesitation may seem confusing but is entirely reasonable given this step into the unknown whilst we’re still in the middle of a pandemic. With this uncertainty in mind, how can we free ourselves from Freedom Day fears and live our lives away from their grip?

• Listen to your fears

Well, maybe I should start off by saying that you don’t necessarily need to free yourself from fear as such. Fear is an adaptive response in the right amounts, fine-tuning your senses and galvanising resources to face whatever threat looms on the horizon. So ask yourself what it is precisely that you’re afraid of and come up with an action plan. For example, if you’re worried about catching the virus in shops or other indoor settings due to mask-wearing now being a personal choice, spend less time in those places. Or in the case of essentials like food shopping, be strategic and shop at quieter times or even online. Find alternatives that you’re comfortable with, like suggesting to a friend that you sit outside for a coffee (rather than inside). Carry on with hand-sanitising habits and extricate yourself from situations which make you feel uncomfortable. Someone getting a bit too close for comfort? Re-establish the boundaries of your personal space and move away (admittedly, this could be tricky on public transport if crowded but you can still take partially mitigating measures, like wearing a face mask). Rein your fears in – focus on what you can control (and to hell with everything else!). 

• Limit your news exposure

When the pandemic has been as concerning as it has been during much of the past year with the emergence of new variants, it’s very easy to spiral into a sense of hopelessness and anxiety. While it’s important to keep clued up on what is going on around you, too much exposure to the news can have a detrimental effect, keeping you on edge. So rather than checking in with developments periodically throughout the day, define a certain point in the day (or week) when you’ll flick through the headlines and stick to it. Personally, I like to catch up with news articles from the Metro app after dinner. It’s low effort and they have different features on different weekdays (such as travel, tech and wellbeing). There are also occasionally funny or interesting articles – it’s not all bad out there! If your anxiety is very bad, however, take a news detox for a while and make time for yourself away from this crazy world. 

• Stick to a routine

Familiarity brings comfort. We were all told about the stabilising influence a daily routine could bring when we first entered lockdown, acting as a shock absorber to buffer the unprecedented effects of all that was happening around us. Now we’re gradually returning to our old lives, there’s no reason why we can’t carry on with a routine for the same benefits. It may be different to your lockdown but having a certain order to each day can help to ground you when things are changing so quickly all the time. If coming up with a full routine feels like too much effort, why not decide on a habitual, simple action to start and end each day? For example, have a cup of tea or coffee first thing in the morning, before you start working, and read a book or listen to a guided meditation before going to bed. Having something to look forward to at a regular time each day can help us to acknowledge and make space for any turbulence we may be feeling.

• Create distractions 

At the time of writing this bit, Mother Nature was looking down upon us with sympathy, it seemed, as her sun shone brightly during last week’s heatwave in the UK. With another on the horizon, the high temperatures are the perfect excuse to rock those summer vibes and remind yourself of the joie de vivre. So listen to a playlist of your favourite songs and try out some refreshing iced drinks. I was talking to my mum over the phone recently and she was telling me how to make a traditional Cantonese dessert soup, specifically eggs and beancurd sweet soup. It was something I remember drinking as a kid but I’ve not had it for a long time. Hearing how quick and simple it is to make, I’m looking forward to buying the few ingredients needed and making it one weekend. It may not sound the most appealing but it’s got a soft, silky texture and is delicious! Ask your family and friends about their favourite foods from when they were little and connect with your own childhood recipes for culinary comfort.

• Reframe your thinking

Life is one long training programme. As awful as any situation may seem, it offers an inherent opportunity in helping you to grow as a person. The pandemic has certainly tested us all, schooling us to live with, even to bathe in uncertainty. We’re scientists – this is what we’re trained for anyway, right? Don’t forget that diamonds are formed under the most intense heat and pressure. Let the adversity of your environment shape your resilience and lead you to reach your highest potential – as the jewel that you are! Call upon the personal strengths which have got you through the pandemic thus far, like for example, your determination and single-mindedness. Can you imagine the power the world would have if we were all the best versions of ourselves?

Remember that everything will be ok in the end. If it’s not ok, it’s not the end!