The anxiety of the pandemic was fertile ground for spreading the infection of worry. Things beyond our control possibly shortening our lives, and a sudden lengthening of time to give us space to worry about it. Are there some steps we could take to feel more in control, and to use our precious time more fruitfully? And once Covid is just another virus and not a crisis, are there changes to our lives that can sustain positive change?

Remember those irrational fears and anxieties?

‘Did I have gloves on when I put the card into the ATM? Where’s the credit card now? Should I sanitise the gloves?  How do I sanitise the sanitiser bottle once I’ve handled it? Have I washed the mask lately? Can I catch Covid off the grocery delivery? Have I got enough disinfectant?’

Each day provides opportunities for lessons in what it’s like being disabled or old. You feel like burying your face in your hands…oh no, don’t do that without washing hands first!

Each day has the potential for another day of fear and paranoia…….or calm, peace, and a simpler life?

It certainly gives the opportunity of time; unsought, unexpected but 24 hours a day of time not filled with usual activities

The dilemma of time

All list-lovers have a list of things to do. And we used to bemoan the lack of time to do them….’if I only had time’ One of the gifts of lockdown is time – and what has happened to those lists? Are they all completed? Or have new excuses pushed their way to the front to get in the way?

Michael Frayn amused radio listeners with a tale of getting out the door to go to the station (in those historical times when we made train journeys!). Determined for once to avoid lunging for the train in heated sweat, he’s ready at his front door with ten minutes extra to spare. How many things can you think of that he finds the need to check, recheck, worry about, go back for to ensure that the ten minutes are more than taken up and normal missed service is restored.

Is it time to re-evaluate how we see it?

In Jane Austen’s world, having time was a sign of prosperity and richness as servants did the rest of the menial work. Today, having time denotes poverty – unemployed, redundant and not in the collusion of busyness.

The paradox of valuing time is evidenced in the business world, on a corporate and individual scale.

Having solved the problems in our own market, we diversify, enlarge unnecessarily to fill our quota again. New recruits come in and bring their quota too – instead of lowering work levels for others they increase it; the capacity to worry is a demanding infection !

How about these contrasting conversations in the office lifts and by the coffee machines.

‘How’s business…busy ?’

‘No, well under control actually. I prioritized my work first thing this morning and focused for two hours on my number one task. I felt energetic as I’d balanced my work/life well over the weekend and feel well in command for the next 3 days’

Does that sound likely? Will that person be valued?   Or how about this one :

‘ BUSY ! Never been under so much pressure; haven’t done anything today I planned to, worked all weekend, be here until 10 tonight, how about you? See you 1030 ?’

Which reply provokes the most empathy and admiration ?

How often are we caught in the timeworn spiral : we see life/work as the pursuit of eliminating problems…and the more we get rid off, the more we produce – and the level of worry doesn’t seem to lessen.

Are there some steps we could take to feel more in control, and help us feel better about our use of time :

• keep old action lists; see in a month’s time how small major concerns become
• remember the worst stressed time you had – how does today’s stress compare
• recognize what happens when a crisis, family illness fills your time for a while; what happened to all those other priorities that were bursting the schedule before?

And once Covid is just another virus and not a crisis, are there changes to our lives that can sustain positive change?

• To change priorities to what’s really important; the beauty of the simple life
• To reduce consumption and give more thought and care to the elimination of waste
• To live on what we need, not want, and help others do the same
• To savour the gift of time, rather than devour it with busyness