I realised something yesterday.
I was watching Jamie Oliver’s brilliant new show, Keep Cooking and Carry On. Have you seen it? He and his family are isolating at home, so he’s been filming a series on how to make hearty meals using the ingredients folks have in their pantries and freezers. He mentioned recently that it’s all being filmed by his wife Jools on a mobile phone!
As I watched the first episode, I realised that what he was doing went beyond simply teaching folks how to make pasta from flour and water, or a fish pie from frozen ingredients. The subtle, unspoken message he was sending out was… “you don’t have to be afraid“.
I think this has the potential to be hugely impactful. At the moment, we’re all a little afraid. We’re a species that has evolved to live in groups, so being forced to self-isolate can be daunting, for some of us more than others. And whereas we could normally turn to our friends and loved ones in times of need, the current situation finds us all stressed and anxious, which makes it difficult for us to support one another as we’ve been able to in the past.
So here’s what I think we need to do. If we can find some way to help another person feel less afraid, even if we ourselves are afraid, then we should try and do it. It could be as small a gesture as a phone call to say “how are you going?” or “let me know if you need anything”. Just knowing someone else has thought of us is reassuring in and of itself, and will help reduce the nervousness that we’re all feeling right now.
More than ever, our communities are important. Take the initiative and attempt to create a connection – by text or email or a note in the letterbox if you’re shy. I know this is massively easier for us raging extroverts, and I’m not suggesting we all reach out to strangers at this time. But a phone call to reassure an elderly relative, or a text message to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, or even ordering takeaway from your local eatery – all these actions send a message that says, “you’re not alone, we haven’t forgotten about you, you don’t have to be afraid”.
For us, this has meant baking loaves of bread and delivering them to neighbours’ doorsteps, or leaving essential supplies (and treats!) on the back deck for family and friends to pick up. In return, my wonderful community has ensured that we haven’t had to visit a supermarket once since lockdown, leaving cereal, sugar, eggs, butter and gifts at our back door. And in reality, none of this is critical. We could easily go shopping, and my neighbours could just as easily buy a loaf of bread. But the true value lies in the reassurance these small acts bring – the reminder that, as Jamie says, we’re all in this together.
At times of stress and fear, we instinctively turn our focus inward, especially when we have families. As my friend Kim very astutely put it, “at the moment we mothers just want to gather everyone safely and circle the wagons”. But I think it’s really important that we also force ourselves to look outwards, to ascertain how we can support each other within the confines of our current social restrictions. It’s a positive act that will help us to feel better about ourselves, and might also help someone else. And hopefully, we can all be less afraid, knowing that none of us have to face this current crisis alone. ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
That was wonderful…a REAL positive message if I ever heard one! I had given my daughter some dried starter and she is working on it now. Couldn’t find a link in your blog for directions on how to revive it.
Happy Easter!!
Hi Susan, I’ve just uploaded the instructions I send out with my starter for you. Here’s the link!
thank you SO much. Really appreciated this.
And I made Hot Cross Buns for 5 families and they were amazed which made me happy. Thanks for ‘pushing’ us :)
Susan, just your comments alone make writing these daily posts worthwhile. Thank YOU so much! xx
this is a wonderful post. i so agree with you. i made easter dinner for 8 people today. my husband dropped it off on their porches. i couldn’t believe the reactions i got. i think a lot of people were very sad it was easter and they were doing nothing special. receiving a full course dinner and dessert ended up making their easter very special. now is the very time for us all to help others.
Definitely food for thought here. I for one am so happy you are back blogging. I missed you. Happy Easter.
Great post – and highlights the value and significance of connection, care and love extended. Thanks for sharing. margaret
Beautifully written and we are so lucky to be your neighbours. As strange as this time is, it’s brought us even closer and that makes me happy and grateful. Also, thanks for the tip on Jamie’s iso cooking tips. Might just make those salmon cakes for lunch! xx
Beautiful words Celia. Love Di xx
Beautiful thoughts! We made Jamie’s fish pie for Good Friday dinner and it was so delicious.
Great sentiments. I recently message a colleague who was one who was great at getting people together at work and found she felt forgotten and alone. It made me aware of how much I had assumed about her being fine and connected and how much we need to just reach out and check how others are. Not only did I then face time her but we also spent some time talking about how to look out for others in our work group. Everyone has stories of feeling low about isolation but I hope that everyone also has stories about being cheered up in isolation!
Thank you Celia x I am potting up some herbs for people !
Hi celia
I love that Jools is filming Jamie on a phone. How fabulous! I’ve been cooking like a fiend lately. And eating like one too:). Have delivered lasagne and cake to our 90 year old neighbour. She’s on her own and her daughter can’t visit as she’s a doctor. I love the sense of community lately we have driveway drinks each sunday at 5. One or 2 neighbours come over – as per Qld rules:) Hope you’re all well x
A great reminder to look beyond our own boundaries Celia. I’m not an extrovert (honest) so this isolation isn’t upsetting me as much as some – but I am making a point of contacting people I haven’t spoken to for a while just to check in.
You are a star… you talk the talk and walk the walk… physical distancing and social connecting. It’s a lot more difficult and time consuming than the risky business as usual. Thank you, I’m so pleased to be in your good company.
Channel surfing and only caught part of it but absolutely agree… very sensible “if you don’t have this, don’t worry leave it out, it’ll be fine; if you haven’t got that you can substitute with x,y,z, they all work.” Thanks for daily blogs, my favourite page again!
Celia I too am loving Jamie and Jools new show and , as always, loving your blog, your words and your ideas certainly make my life richer Thank you.
I’ve been sewing masks like a mad woman and leaving them in my neighbour’s mailboxes. I’ve run out of elastic but ordered some from amazon, hopefully it’ll arrive soon.