Kensington Mums was established in 2011 with the aim of sharing knowledge and experiences to help fellow mums learn from one another. Today the network commands an audience of London based mothers, many of whom live outside of the Kensington area but who tap into the community for its blend of events, advice and connectivity.
We’re all living in what feels like an alternative universe at the moment. We wanted to share with you some of the lessons we’ve learnt during the current lockdown period. It’s not just about surviving but also thriving!
Gratitude & Prioritisation
We are grateful for our health and our families and having loved ones around – very simple but so important. With the current situation, many of us have begun to re-evaluate what’s important to us and to give priority to what really matters in life. We want to be there more for our loved ones, family and friends; those that we care about.
Self Care And Our Mental Health
Now more than ever, we need to take care of our mental health; not only for our well-being for also for our sanity.
It’s in times like these that we’ve realised that self care is not selfish, it’s essential. We have had to accept this current phase of craziness as the new normal. We don’t know what the next couple of months will bring so take each day as it comes, staying focused on the things that calm you and boost your mental health.
Staying socially connected and supporting your friends and family and them supporting you, will get you and them through this period.
Stay Fit
Exercise can help when you are feeling anxious or if you’re in need some alone time. Not only is exercise great for your physical health but also for your mental health too. We’ve adapted a daily family work out session to get you all together to work out.
Take It Day By Day
The things we have been meaning to do such as cleaning cupboards, de-cluttering, recycling and getting rid of things we no longer need, is cathartic. Now is the time to get organised and get things done.
Take things day by day. Not rushing is a good thing! Being more present with your children and not rushing around gives more of a sense of calm for both you and your family. Wouldn’t you agree?
Tap Into Technology
We are grateful for having technology to connect us to the outside world. We have the chance to link with other like minded mothers online via WhatsApp groups, Facebook groups and to laugh over the memes we receive, to remind us that we are all in this together.
We have so many resources available at our fingertips, from live streaming to most of the top museums around the world, concerts, performances and not to mention online classes for children to keep them both entertained and fit.
We can do our work from home and make video calls to see the people we love who we can’t meet right now. This is our window to the outside world!
Spend Quality Time Together
As mothers, we have to juggle our time to cook, clean, home-school, workout and play with our children. Now more than ever is the time to ask for support from your partner or husband if you are all at home together, so you can take shifts on household chores etc.
And now is the time to spend quality time together as this opportunity might not come again.
We are always rushing – from work to meetings, to school pick ups and to after school activities. Life has given us a pause button which we should embrace even with all of its uncertainty. We all have our own challenges and we must focus on our needs and what we can do to keep things as happy and calm as possible. Little eyes are watching us after all and we are here to lead by example.
Now is the time to focus on you, your needs, your health and the health and happiness of your children and family.
Stay home, stay safe, stay together, as together we will get through this. Right now, it’s not only about social distancing but also about social solidarity.
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