Olivia Namutebi is a member of the Women for Refugee Women drama group. She has written this poem to share what has helped her to stay strong during the lockdown. She says, “I hope that my poem will encourage someone else and give them strength during this challenging time.”
Fear Panic Anxiety
The first three weeks of lockdown
Overwhelmed with fear, panic and anxiety
I didn’t know how I would cope.
This is how I’ve managed to help myself,
I felt very alone, I knew I had to manage to help myself.
I read recently that anything is possible if you put your mind to it
Those words have kept me driving myself forward.
I had to acknowledge all my feelings
And remember that actually I’m NOT alone:
Everyone is in lockdown
But this will end, this will end.
A positive attitude is everything
I am learning to appreciate the things I was taking for granted
Life, the support network around me, my children, a hot meal, a bed to sleep in, I can take a shower or a bath, I can do my laundry…
Perhaps someone else doesn’t even have that.
Think of the things that bring you joy
That help you live.
I disconnected myself from social media and all the bad news
Switch off the TV
Switch off your phone
Switch off all the breaking news
A quick check once a day is enough
Escape the endless repetitive news
Disconnect from the media and take time to talk so someone
Take your brain away from the screens
Talk safely to those near you, those around you,
Take time to hear their voices.
I’ve remembered to move my body
A simple workout, yoga, a dance
Twenty minutes of moving my body
Simple movements
Move your body in a way that works for you.
Stretching my arms over my head
Turning and stretching my neck
Coming back to centre
Coming back to feel the pleasure in my body
Hold your hips and swing them in circles
Turning my ankles and stretching my feet
It makes me happy, I’m laughing when I think of it!
Take a walk to slow the pressure of life
Safely walk far from strangers
Walking through the sunny park
Listening to the birds singing
Just watching them fly
Watching the birds having fun against the blue sky
The greenery blossoming in the sunshine
Yellow, white, pink flowers by my feet
New green leaves appearing each day
It uplifts my spirit!
Do nothing. Sit and listen to the sounds of life.
Cars. The wind in the trees.
I take time to listen to the sounds of the world as it turns.
It calms me.
Be creative, write, I let my mind wander,
Remembering something I’ve read
Reading something new
My books and newspapers give me ideas
I record my new ideas
Building my collage of ideas that keeps my mind active and learning.
Do what you like: do it! Cleaning, cooking, a massage, perfect your make up, do some painting.
Do the things that make you feel good.
A little head rub to make you smile.
Get enough sleep. Eat well if you can. Eat healthy food to keep strong.
It’s new to me feeling like this, so alone and isolated,
But I realise for some people this is always their life.
Those people inspire me.
For me it’s temporary, so I need to be optimistic, to keep my hope strong.
When we meet again
We’ll be so full of ideas but also mindful, careful,
Making sure we look after each other and keep safe.
Safe together again for the future.
Everything has shut down, it will open again.
As the world carries on turning we’ll have another chance,
A different way of looking at the whole world.
Hope, optimism, love
In the time after lockdown
Hope, optimism, love
That’s how we will cope…