Anniversaries tap into memories, hopes, loss and dreams.
This week, we notice what's emerging three years after the world went into lockdown.
Dear Friends,
We mark anniversaries of all kinds in personal and collective ways. Our birthdays are anniversaries, the changing of the seasons, the new moon/month, the anniversary of starting a new job, moving to a new place; romantic anniversaries, friendship anniversaries and the marking of the loss of someone whom we loved.
This time of year, the middle of March, has become a collective anniversary whether we’re conscious of it or not. Where were you three years ago, when the pandemic lockdown began? What was happening in your life then? Do you remember the feelings surging through your body during those first few days of not knowing?
So much has happened to us in these last three years, individually and as a people. There are experiences that we’re still processing and other things from that time that we are ready to release. That’s the focus of today’s reflection and writing prompt—noticing what we’ve learned, what we hope to let go of now and how to get curious about ways we’ve transformed.
There’s a metaphor about the pandemic lockdown that helps me consider the inequity that occurred during that time: we were in the same storm, but in different boats.
As someone who was able to work from my home, I’ll never be able to imagine the experience of people in the health care field, teachers, first responders, cashiers at grocery stores and others who were putting themselves at daily risk.
We each carried a unique pain based on our circumstances; for me, not being able to see my son who lives in a residential school was a heart-breaking experience that I could not have fathomed before March 2020. I get to see my son every weekend and I I treasure our time together in a way that I do not take for granted now.
This week, I’m paying attention to how this anniversary sits in my body, in my heart, in my spirit. Be gentle with yourself. So many people are grieving still, especially those of you who have lost loved ones.
My hope is that this writing prompt uncovers something new to you, like springtime itself.
Writing Practice:
Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday.
Set a timer for one minute. Let yourself brainstorm any images or memories that come up for you when you think back to three years ago, the beginning of pandemic lockdown. Don’t write full sentence, keep going with whatever surfaces.
When your timer goes off, pause and breathe. Notice how you’re feeling.
Try one or more of these prompts:
Going through the pandemic lockdown, I felt…
Something that I learned about myself during the lockdown was…
I am grateful that I was able to…
This is a way that I have changed in the last three years…
Deepening Practice:
Whatever our circumstances were during that time, the fact that you’re reading these words today and engaging in this practice is a celebration.
Write a note to yourself, to who you were three years ago, and describe all that’s new and emerging for you now in 2023.
Please comment or email me at gabriellekm@gmail.com with what arises for you.
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On March 21st, I’m holding a free live Spring Equinox Writing Circle over zoom. Expressive writing is what helped me survive the pandemic lockdown and inspired my desire to share this process with the world. You can register here.
If you’re interested in joining my next online expressive writings series Soulful Spring starting 4/16, registration is now open. An amazing community is forming.