Coming Up For Air
Blur. This is probably the best way I can describe life for us since the beginning of the pandemic. I don’t know about you but when I try and recall events and dates during that time, it’s all a blur. It all seemingly merged together.
This is the first time I’ve tried to recall our movements during that time.
For Steffi and I we got locked down in London in March 2020. At first it was scary, then came surrender, then came love, then came joy, then came restlessness, then came frustration, then came uncertainty, then once more came surrender (not all in that order). Stuck in a tiny apartment, both working from home we battled for space, me coaching and Steffi teaching her students online. We were super lucky to have a balcony. What a blessing. I really feel for those who had no outdoor space during that period.
In June 2020, we bolted down to Cornwall when we had a chance and ended up living in a backpackers in Falmouth whilst we tried to get back to Australia - no chance! Visas declined and flights cancelled we made other arrangements.
In August 2020 we moved up to the New Forest where we looked after the Airbnb accommodation of The Retreat New Forest.
In October 2020 we’d lined up a year’s worth of accommodation in Biarritz, South West France, where we intended to move prior to Brexit that December. Sadly we foresaw more lockdowns on the horizon so decided against Biarritz which meant we lost out on gaining French residency.
The same month we were also asked if we wanted to stay on at The Retreat and manage the place which we did. Over the course of the next year and multiple more lockdowns and COVID challenges we successfully transformed The Retreat with the addition of Crow Spotter Cafe, Offbeet Restaurant (an award winning vegan restaurant), Fine Tuning Treatments in the Loft Space, multiple new practitioners and teachers, a full schedule of events, workshops, classes and retreats, new members of staff and much much more. I think we can safely say, we nailed it and I’m super proud of our achievements there.
In June 2021 we left The Retreat in safe hands and spent the summer house and dog sitting, looking after friend’s homes and pets as they caught up on all the holidays that were cancelled the year before.
In September 2021 we set off on a 3 month adventure to France. We spent a week in the Loire Valley, a week in the Dordogne, 10 weeks in Hossegor (South West) where we got engaged, a week in Chamonix and a week in Morzine, both in the French Alps.
We returned to London in December 2021 where we spent a fun month or so catching up with family and friends and using Work.Life Old Street as our base.
In February 2022 we finally had my visa approved and came to Perth, Western Australia where my partner Steffi is from. This is where we currently find ourselves. And this is where we’ve finally come up for air. Breathe.
For me change is the only constant. By the time I was 18, we’d already, as a family moved 7 times during my lifetime. My parents had already moved several times with my elder siblings due to my father’s medical background and career as a surgeon. At university I moved house every year. Thereafter, I’ve constantly been on the move very rarely spending more than a year in any one given location.
I’m used to moving around, changing homes and jobs, but I do respect that for others, such as my partner, it’s tiring and stressful.
So what has the last few years taught us?
Pandemics are scary. We need to look after ourselves and our planet better.
Make sure your home, where ever you are in the world is a nurturing space.
If you have a partner or housemates, know and love who you live with.
Align your life and lifestyle with your values.
Have empathy, gratitude, forgiveness for self and others.
It pays to be flexible, adaptable, versatile and patient.
We are more resilient than we know.
Life is all about balance. There are times when we’re out of balance and there are times when it pays to ‘reset’ and come back to balance.
Always create time and space to come ‘home’ to yourself and to your loved ones.
Find joy in the now, in the present moment, in the small things.
Sending love to all those who lost loved ones, jobs, homes, finances, friends, a sense of normality during the pandemic.
Keep on keeping on and know that a better life is possible and often just around the corner.
Big Love. Olly
