No matter what I deal with, I always try to find the positives. In the beginning of the pandemic with autism, it was difficult for me to get past the shock, to try to understand what was going. The pandemic has kept me mentally stuck.

Lockdown wasn't easy for any of us, but lockdown for me, was further compounded by the fact that I see and react to my world differently. With autism, having a beginning, middle and end is what I need to be able to function in my own ‘normal.’

The plus side to lockdown, is that wildlife and nature flourished, pollution levels reduced, and people found they could lead a more sustainable lifestyle, which is necessary for the health of the planet.

We all had time to think about our world, about our morality, about what was important. With the help of the media, slowly we began to see the necessity of a sustainable lifestyle for the health of the planet.

The health of our planet is important, it is important to protect the planet. It is important not only for us, but for the next generation. Leaving positive imprints, driving positive life-style choices, is important if the human species, and the world is going to survive.

With restrictions lifted, it is important to continue to live lives that sustain the environment. It is important to learn to give priority to a lifestyle that is sustainable and secured for future generations.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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2 comments on “Looking at the Positives in Lockdown”

  1. There are many positives we can take from lockdown including nature being able to take a breather from our impact, not having to commute to and from work, spending more time indoors etc.

    But I'm not so sure how many of those are lasting changes in behaviour. Lockdown was a leveller of sorts, but only if we take steps to continue its positive impact.

    1. Thanks. Yes, I love your optimism. But we have to want to care, to be the change. We have to want to make a difference, for ourselves and for the natural world. They are relying on us.

      If attitudes to the virus are to be believed, it is not looking hopeful.

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