Lessons learnt from 2020

The end of the year allows people to reflect on the year that was. What did we achieve, what did we not and what are our goals for the new year? Full of energy, drive and positivity for the future, full of excitement for the festive season. However this year has been different. With COVID19 devastating the world in 2020, I have more feelings of an exhausted reaching for the finish line, surviving a biological war, dreaming of 2021 to come as quickly as possible. Instead of making new years resolutions I feel like reflecting back on the lessons learnt, and search for the positives to come from this global pandemic.

Lessons learnt

Working from home has many benefits

It may be hard to believe if you have kids at home demanding your attention, but somehow work productivity has been shown to have increased when working from home rather than at the office. Commuting to work has always been such a shocking time waster, let alone have a significant impact on the environment, so this time alone, gives you more time for work, more time with the kids or a few minutes to yourself to breathe. Then add in time not spent getting out of your pajamas , washing your hair or putting on make up and you’ll have one happy boss. Make sure you factor in your utility use for your tax return next year too!

I am resilient, adaptable, courageous and perhaps crazy!

My boss at Adelaide Physiotherapy and Pilates Studio decided to close her doors this year so I had to find a new job. I quickly and gratefully found a new job at Milkwood Studios, Tusmore which I love. It is a beautiful studio with loving and caring Physios, Pilates instructors and clients. These events reminded me how much I really feel for my clients and how I will miss my old clients and that I am so grateful for the great numbers that chose to follow me. Being a physiotherapist really completes me.

The crazy is the idea of finally launching my new business Mummyotherapy in the middle of a global pandemic and recession! It is a passion of mine to help people with my physiotherapy skills, but being an involved Mummy, wife and friend is important to me too so we’ll see if I can squeeze in this business organically and with perspective and balance too. I will take the school holidays to dedicate to Misaki’s last holidays before she starts big girl school and come back strong in 2021. I would love you to book an appointment or massage with me on Mummyotherapy.com in the new year. xx

Time is a luxury

We have had more time this year. I truly did treasure lockdown time with Misaki. We chose to make the best of the situation as one always should. That precious time just being with each other, smiling, laughing and cuddling was joyous.

Giving your child time with your undivided attention is vital for their happiness and wellbeing

I learnt a big parenting lesson this year: Misaki painfully verbalised “you are not my favourite parent because you are always cleaning and cooking”. I went through a period (as most of us Mummies do) that we have to multitask home duties, work and parenting. When I realised this and dedicated all of my attention to Misaki for periods of time, her attitude completely changed into a beautiful, loving and appreciative soul. Intentional time together is so precious. Spending time with kids and your partner is what is really important in life.

“dedicated all of my attention to Misaki for periods of time, her attitude completely changed into a beautiful, loving and appreciative soul”

Slowing down allows you to appreciate the small things like children do

I am really enjoying playing board games with my family- it is a wonderful way to spend time together and a great learning tool. I am enjoying looking at the flora of the Australian bush. I am enjoying the wonderful feeling that yoga stretching and diaphragmatic breathing give me. I am enjoying realising that activating my core can often instantly relieve my back pain. There is such beauty and peace in simplicity and stillness.

“There is such beauty and peace in simplicity and stillness.”

Questioning the number of extra curricular activities

School sports being cancelled has been a blessing for many parents and families. It has allowed them a chance to slow down, destress and spend time with each other. It has made many people think about whether so many extra curricular activities is actually a good thing for children.

Lack of resources encourages creativity

Young children really don’t need fancy toys but still love making things from boxes from all those online orders/ wine cartons. We made some of our Christmas tree decorations from gingerbread. This may be why the tree is looking a little spartan??

Technology saves lives

I am an extrovert so zoom saved my friends and I during lockdown. As much as I am averse to too much screen time, IT really helped our families and friends to connect with each other when we were separated in lockdown. COVID19 has been the stimulus for closer connections too.

A daily kids movie allowed me to exercise, breath, do a bit of work and have some time out during lock down. Screen time served a vital purpose of bringing calm. Don’t tell my IT husband I said this.

Extravagance doesn’t bring happiness

Living modestly and within our means means more security in uncertain times. This year I have gone without holidays, regular hair appointments and clothing updates and I feel just as content about life.

“This year I have gone without holidays, regular hair appointments and clothing updates and I feel just as content about life”

When having travelled to third world countries in the past, it has always warmed my heart to see people seeming so happy and content with the small amount of possessions they have. To seem so happy to just be with their families. They would often be so welcoming of me in to their homes to share what little food they may have. It was such a eyewatering show of humanity. However I would always come back and soon enough fly back in to the pace and drive of wanting more, the best I could achieve. Will the first world ever let this go when we can have it all again??

COVID19 has shown the good in humanity

Scientists have been collaborating to bring the world a vaccine. Politicians and medics have been working tirelessly to try to work out the best policies to deal with the crisis. Nurses and doctors have been selflessly exposing themselves to the potential risk of contracting COVID19 themselves. And the general population have mostly been abiding by the restrictive rules, which have been terribly disruptive and frustrating to our financial and emotional lives, but are allowing COVID19 to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Happiness is where my family is

I have always loved travel and would love to again BUT this year has highlighted that happiness is where my family is. I am in recession mode and have no desire to go on holidays at the moment. COVID free Adelaide is paradise! Still no idea where all the money is going though… probably wine.

I am so grateful to be an Australian, especially a South Australian. Our isolation and excellent government management has allowed us to fair very well in all of this. I am completely content to grab a cold glass of Adelaide Hills chardonnay or beer and simply sit by the pool smiling and feeling grateful to have my loving family. What more do I need?!

Moving forward

We probably will go back to the fast paced world of working towards a bigger and better house, car or holiday but perhaps moving forward we could really appreciate that whatever we have AT THE TIME is enough. Enough to be happy in the present. Grateful for the life we have.

Melli Tilbrook is the Physiotherapist and Director of Mummyotherapy and also works at Milkwood Studios, Tusmore