We love hearing and sharing your stories, especially hearing about how people are adapting to their ‘new normal’, what changes they’re making and what they’re learning. Each week, we’re sharing a story with you, from people in different jobs (or not in jobs for some), in different places, with different experiences. If you’re interested in sharing your story, we’d love to hear how the ‘new normal’ is for you.
What’s your name and what do you do?
Harry Bridger and I was a year 11 student, now waiting to (hopefully) start college and do my A levels.
How did you start your day today?
My alarm went off at 7.30am and then I did what I do every morning – I took out our dogs and then fed them.
What was a typical day like for you pre Covid-19?
My day would begin in much the same way, but then I would spend most of it at school, which involved getting ready to take my GCSEs.
And what is a typical day like now?
A typical day involves me getting up, and ready for the day early, then spending most of my time working on our garden. We are building crop plots and a new pathway, so revision is on hold for now.
What’s been the biggest change to your life in light of Covid-19?
I am no longer at school, it was abrupt when it ended and I’m not going to be going back to the school I’ve been at since year 3 which is a mixed bag. It’s weird that a lot of the staff are acting like we’re going to be back after Easter, which isn’t going to happen.
How have you personally had to adapt to accommodate what’s happening?
I’m quite introverted so I’m not really struggling too much yet.
What do you miss most about your life pre Covid 19 (working and personal)?
I miss hanging out with my friends.
And what are you most looking forward to when lockdown ends?
It depends on when the lockdown ends – if it ends over the summer, then I’m looking forward to my 16th birthday and Greenman festival. If it ends in September, then I’m looking forward to going to college. And I’m looking forward to hanging out with my friends again.
What surprisingly good things have emerged in your life since?
I’ve become fitter and healthier as a result of working in the garden all day.
What are your positives about this situation for you?
For me personally, it means I can learn new skills that are actually useful to me in life and help improve our garden and growing food for the family
At a global level – the environmental and ecological impacts, such as what’s happening in Venice, where the waters have completely cleared up and fish, and even dolphins, have returned to the area. Also the massive reduction in China’s air pollution is another example.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve done since lockdown?
Something I’m about to do – I’m going to work on some designs for our chicken run, which will be an interesting project for me
What do you hope we as a society learn from this situation?
As a society we can learn what needs to happen to protect people in a global crisis and also steps we can take to mitigate and prevent the Holocene mass extinction e.g. impact climate change. It’s clear wildlife is improving and recovering because we have been more absent.
What is helping you to cope with your situation?
I don’t need a coping mechanism
What message would you like to pass onto others?
Please follow all of the advice as much as possible, because I know some people are ignoring the rules and this will mean it will take longer for us to recover. Find something interesting to do in self-isolation and don’t be like the celebrities complaining about having to stay in their homes!
Thank you
