In Virtual Conversation with...Ewa

BE PATIENT

@step2wellbeing

I use to believe that is it impossible for all stories to have happy endings, but after talking to Ewa, I realised that I was wrong – I was just not patient enough. Here is what Ewa shared with me.

The biggest change in my life during first lockdown was my mindset. Had to think about my dreams and wishes and think about how I can still reach these with my actions. There was just so much I felt I could not do due to all the restrictions and so many people getting sick, but I had to take charge of my life as I was struggling to stand still and do nothing, I like to be useful. I have medical training and experience, so in January I was planning to give back to the community and help out where I could. I applied for several temporary work in hospitals and clinics. Strangely, I did not get any of these jobs. But looking back, I am so happy that the plan did not work out. It worked out better for my practice that I did not change my direction in life too much. In the next few months, I was able to resume my job to continue to provide a range of therapies and advice for my clients to support them in maintaining optimal health, accelerate recovery and improve their performance.

Under normal circumstances I would be able to do home visits, but during the first lockdown, I had to quickly learn how to provide my services online. It was really difficult to continue my work this way. During the second lockdown, I was so lucky that I was still able to work under all the restrictions and guidelines as it is a service that is recognised under the NHS. Fortunately, later that year I was able to see clients again in more controlled circumstances.

In the past, I had doubts about life and achieving my dreams. There were many things that I had to go through and I did not always have the right people around me that I could lean on. At the age of 26, I had to make several really important choices in my life, about life, love and my future. A few of those choices I am really happy with, but I also have a few regrets. Why am I sharing this? It is because hard times help us to enjoy the good times even more. I am an optimist, and I always look for a lesson.

The pandemic has really been difficult for me and my family. The first lockdown was already challenging workwise, but it did give me more opportunity to talk to my family who lives abroad over the phone and FaceTime. My mum had an important operation and she struggled with the recovery at home. It is great getting phone calls from my family, but I was really shocked when my dad phoned me and said that in the morning he found my mum unconscious and that she was taken to hospital again.

After my mum was taken to the hospital she was not able to fight off the infection. My mum and dad also got Covid 19! When she finally regained consciousness I was able to speak to her over the phone and she gave me instruction to what she wanted me to do… we had to accept that mum was not coming home again.

I knew that I was saying goodbye.

She still talked about coming home, but that was maybe to cheer me up. The last time I spoke to her, we shared a really special moment. Our family was taken over by sickness, grief and funeral arrangements.

After my mum passed away, I had to prepare the house for my dad when he got home… so that he can go on living without mum by his side. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do. That is when I too got sick from the virus. I remember feeling so weak due to the virus and the heartbreak of my mum, I could hardly take a couple of steps without feeling out of breath or feeling really upset. I am a healthy person with a healthy lifestyle, but it was really difficult to even breathe. I never want to feel so ill and helpless ever again.

In a time of crisis, I tend to look deep within myself. I try to think and reason, looking at things from a spiritual and logical way. In life, everything around us has a cycle, a beginning and an end. I am just too happy that I was able to look my mum in the eye one last time before it was the end of her journey here on earth as we know it.

I realise that everything has a season. We would not appreciate what we have today if we did not face our challenges in the past. It is important to think about how these difficult times allow us to be shaped. We are supposed to learn from our challenges. There will always be a new beginning, I must just look into hope to carry me through.

In the larger scheme of things, whatever happens, things will be alright. Some things are difficult and challenging, but those times come and go. We have to be happy with the good times, focus on enjoying the minute things that are positive, even in the difficult times.

If I could go back in time and send myself a message before the start of the pandemic…it will be: ‘Ewa, be patient. Listen to your gut and follow your heart. Don’t feel down when people discourage you. You always reached out to your family in good times and in time of need. Be patient, be compassionate. Listen to those around you, but believe in yourself. Just be patient.’