A Teacher in China reflects on Lockdown

  1. Accept that you have no control over the situation. Let go of any thoughts of trying to plan too much for the next month or two. Anxiety goes down when you make the best of the situation – whatever that might be for you.
  2. Try not to listen to/read/watch too much media. It WILL drive you crazy. There is a thing called too much!
  3. The sense of community I have felt during this time is incredible. I could choose who I wanted to spend time with – who I wanted to call and connect with and found the quality of my relationships has improved.
  4. Appreciate this enforced downtime. When will we have time like this again? I will miss this time when we go back to the fast-paced speed of the ‘real world’.
  5. Time goes fast. I still haven’t picked up the ukulele I planned to learn, and there are box sets of TV shows that I haven’t watched yet.
  6. As a teacher, the relationships I have built with my students have continued to grow. I have loved seeing how independent they are; filming themselves to respond to tasks while also learning essential life skills such as balance, risk-taking and problem-solving.
  7. You learn to appreciate the little things; sunshine through the window, flowers blossoming and being able to enjoy a coffee outside a cafe. You will get through this journey. Listen to what you are told, follow the rules and look out for each other. There is light now at the end of the tunnel.