Coping During Covid - A Series of Short Reflections
A SERIES OF SHORT REFLECTIONS OF WHAT PEOPLE HAVE LEARNT AND EXPERIENCED UNDER LOCKDOWN
“Groundhog Day isn’t about achieving the perfect day, or the perfect life. It’s actually not about being perfect at all. It’s about seeing happiness as a quality rather than a goal, which once employed into daily life, is life-changing.”
Niall O’Lochlainn
‘Hi I’m Niall O’Lochlainn, a Dublin based artist/illustrator/art teacher. Until recently I have focused on trying to keep a few various styles afloat but with that came a lot of stress where I was often battling against a style I was not fully comfortable or capable in. With lockdown a lot of potential jobs and events were cancelled so I was left with plenty of time to myself to draw and paint what I felt I most enjoyed. This was kind of refreshing at times as it gave me a lot of chances to just sit down and draw for myself instead of coming up with concepts for clients.
The style I’m pushing at the moment is something I enjoy creating a lot more than what I was doing this time last year. 2020 has been fairly shit but I’m definitely thankful for the time it has given me to enjoy painting and creating pieces in public again without the pressure of time.’
Esme Dunne
‘I remember watching the Bill Murray film Groundhog Day for the first time and being absolutely fascinated with the concept of living a day again, with the ability to perfect a day. I did not, however, have any desire to live as Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, and so, when presented with the opportunity over quarantine, I did everything within my power to make a day different from the last. The disparity between trying to keep a routine and subsequent motivation and also never living the same day twice was very present. With hindsight, I’ve established that physically my days bore significant resemblance to each other – online lessons, zoom pub quizzes, long walks, yoga, Netflix. And so, maybe in a sense I embodied Bill Murray for 4 months. But I’ve also established that my attempts to escape from repetition were not wholly unsuccessful because I grew over quarantine. The biggest difference from one day to the next was my mindset. I put all my energy, usually spent on simply surviving as an anxiety-prone GenZ in a Boomer dominated world, into thriving. Ultimately what I realised is that Groundhog Day isn’t about achieving the perfect day, or the perfect life. It’s actually not about being perfect at all. It’s about seeing happiness as a quality rather than a goal, which once employed into daily life, is life-changing. The irony is not lost on me that Groundhog Day, the very concept I tried to avoid, is the concept that taught me how to live, or that Bill Murray, a Boomer, taught me this.’
Lena Tice
‘This past summer, I was hoping to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with the Irish hockey team. On a rainy night back in November, we qualified for the Olympic Games, for the first time. Everything we had worked for and dreamt of had become a reality that evening.
But on the 24th of March 2020, we were informed that the Olympics would not happen in 2020. Despite the rapid emergence of Covid-19 at that time, the Olympics being delayed still seemed like somewhat of an abstract thought. The hardest thing of it all was dealing with this news away from the only people that could really understand how it felt, my teammates. Everything we do, we do together. So, to work through what was the most difficult and disappointing moment in my career, away from the girls was not something I was prepared for.
After a couple months of coasting in the bizarre lifestyle that was lockdown, and trying not to think about the Games, I became resentful, sad and finally angry about it. Questioning how I would get through another year of gruelling training and intense selection pressure. Only in recent weeks have I come to accept it. To accept that how I once pictured my life and career panning out, is estranged from my new reality. To really accept and understand that I cannot worry about tomorrow, because I have no idea what it will hold. But I can know and be comforted by knowing that God is in control of all that lies ahead. My world has been shaken by Covid-19, but more importantly, my faith has been strengthened and my God is unchanged.’
Gillian on Jill&Gill
‘During COVID we have learned a lot in a very short space of time, we adapted and made quick changes to stay relevant but there were parts to our business we couldn't change. During the lockdown, our studio was not accessible and as a result, we were forced to move into storage and seek a new location. Finding a creative space in the City proved a struggle not only fighting against high rents and rates but spaces not fit for purpose or worse, an unwillingness by landlords or estate agents to see a creative business as a viable tenant.
At times we considered what a move outside Dublin would mean for the business but Dublin is where the brand has it foundations, more importantly, it was during lockdown that we realised the sense of community that we would be leaving, our business and brand has been built because of the network of amazing creatives around us but also the challenges Dublin has always thrown at us.
Eventually, we found a space mid July after 3 months of looking. We now call 73 Francis St home. We are still adapting, as are so many but if one good thing came from this experience early on, it’s the value of where we belong as a brand, as individual creatives and how having a strong sense of place and community can be fundamental to growth.’
Vanessa Addo
‘Like so many others, quarantine was a huge shock to my system. Suddenly not being able to see my friends and family, not being able to go to work or leave my house was really strange and difficult. I was so used to a fast-paced lifestyle, I was always on the move.
At first, it was great to finally take a breather. It was nice sleeping in till noon and playing Animal Crossing for as long as I wanted, but the novelty soon wore off. I was left bored and extremely isolated, but most scary of all I realised with all the distractions out the way I was left alone with myself. My thoughts and feelings came to the forefront. I was faced with questions of who am I and where is my life headed? Am I happy, sad, healthy? What’s important to me? What is going on in the world now and how is it affecting me and others around me?
During a zoom call, my friends and I were discussing how 2020 almost feels like the apocalypse. Someone commented on how the word ‘apocalypse’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘revelation’ an unveiling or unfolding of things not previously known. This could not be more true to what I have been experiencing. Whether it was deconstructing and reconstructing my faith, starting to create art again or attending online therapy, quarantine has allowed me the time and space to begin a journey back to myself. And even though I am physically further away from other people, I have listened and learned from people telling their stories from all around the world and I have reconnected with those in my life most important to me.’
Natasha Mottaghi
‘During a time when my mental health has never been better and I was starting to understand what I truly wanted to achieve from my degree and purpose within the fashion/textiles world, everything turned upside down during lockdown. I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks after we were told we weren’t allowed back at university.
I craved so much the validation I fed off so much in the studio, being surrounded by fellow creatives. The sudden shock of not having the space and equipment really impacted me. That being said, this has been a challenge that has taught me an awful lot. It has helped me hone into my own DIY mind-set even more and allowed me to explore my ideas & thoughts on an even more personal, political & cultural level that I wouldn’t have been able to do had I not had this time given to me. Although I have now finished my degree with a grade I can be super proud of, there is still the lack of closure I crave from my university experience that I can’t shake off.’
Isaac Philips
‘Control. I’m starting to realise how little of it I have. I’m starting to realise the futility of all my previous planning. I’m starting to realise how feeble the things I used to trust in truly are.
Like most other people I know, I used to plan ahead, set goals and expect to reach them. I used to assume that I could control what my life would look like and I used to expect to know what I’d be doing in a year’s time. Of course that’s all changed now.
I know I’m not alone. I’m not the only one who has had to change their life because of Covid and, just because everyone else is going through it too, it doesn’t mean that my experiences are less important. My problems aren't trivial, but rather they’re acutely relatable.
However, throughout this time of uncertainty I have found something far greater than any return to work protocol or any rumour of a coming vaccine. I’ve found a God who’s completely in control. The thing I lack He has in full. It doesn’t matter if I’m not in control because I know that He is, and I know that I can fully trust His better judgement over my own.
Like all of us, Covid has changed me. I might have lost control, but I guess I’ve gained something even better - hope.’
Naomi Boobbyer
‘I have moved from place to place frequently since I was fifteen and in each new place I have managed to create my own community. Some of those people have become close friends and some, mainly because of distance and busyness, I have lost touch with. I’ve definitely learned to sit with my own thoughts and company growing up, but Covid has brought a new reality.
Moving back to Dublin, a city I have only previously lived in for a year, during a pandemic, has been a new challenge. Creating a sense of community and belonging is hard when the normality of social interactions constantly shifts. Among other things, I have tried to use the time I have had since graduating to create this brand, which I hope brings about that sense of community. As a frequent traveller, I have found being in the same environment for a prolonged period of time a challenge. However, I’m trying to see this time as a gift and not a curse and challenge myself to find enjoyment in the ordinary day to day.’
