Two years ago, united as a country, we were thrown into the unknown – a global pandemic. For months on end, we saw no-one but our own four walls and family members. If we were lucky, we’d catch the postman dropping in endless free postcards and nearly beg him out the window for a chat; to hear any news of the outside world, that wasn’t Covid related. It is what felt like yesterday, and forever ago. Yet we have come out the other side. A stronger nation no doubt. We are reopening again and we all hope – for our sanity – it’s for good.
Yet the reopening of the country is a scary realization for many. The very idea of socializing and meeting people in person in packed bars, restaurants, nightclubs and stadiums is almost nerve wrecking. It is completely okay to feel that way – you are most certainly not alone! Some will begin to overthink and wonder – do I know how to socialize ‘normally’? Do I remember how to shake someone’s hand? How do I start a conversation that doesn’t begin with ‘Covid-19’? It will take time and adjustments for us all, so that is why I am calling on everyone and anyone to do one act of random kindness a day. No matter how big. No matter how small.
I remember one particular long and stressful school day, I was walking home and feeling down in the dumps. I was frustrated and stressed and just wanted to go home, but still had countless things to do. After standing on the side of the road for what felt like hours, with no cars stopping to let me pass, one finally did. The woman in the car was obviously singing her heart out in the front seat, and when she stopped to let me pass, she gave me a big wave and a thumbs up. I had (and still have) no idea who this woman was – I had never seen her in my life, but I chuckled and smiled and waved joyfully back at her. The rest of my day only seemed to improve from there.
Months later, I still think of this memory and smile. The random act didn’t solve the mountain of study I still had to do, or tick any of my other ‘to-dos’ off my list, but it made me happy. It made me realize the power one simple act can have on your day.
How does this apply to Covid-19 you may ask? Well, it’s quite simple. This virus has simply taken over our lives, and now that the restrictions have been ripped off like a band-aid, I sense we have become overwhelmed by the amount of freedom we have been granted. Those feelings can impact our day, impact our mental health, impact us. We have almost forgotten (I know I have) what pre-pandemic etiquette looks like. We struggle to remember what our lives were like before this. It’s overwhelming. It’s scary. It’s exciting. It impacts our mental health.
The true secret, however, to make our hearts a little lighter is to show kindness. Smile at a stranger. Stop your car and let someone cross the street and give them a wave. Buy someone a cup of coffee/tea at a coffee shop. Help someone with their groceries. Hold the door open to let someone through. Give your parking ticket to someone if it hasn’t expired. Check in on your friends and family. It doesn’t have to be a huge gesture. It doesn’t have to involve hundreds of euros or cause you stress. All I ask is that you give a few seconds of your time to make someone’s day a little easier. So, they can come away and maybe feel a little better than before.
This virus has taken away so much from this country. In saying that, it has also reminded us about the power of community spirit, of kindness, of people. Kindness is in us all, so when you venture back out into society, don’t forget to share it. Because you never know. Someone may just write an article about how your kindness inspired them and reminded them that it would all be okay.
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