August marked the return of my normal appointments. Going to the hairdressers for a much needed haircut. Visiting my beautician, in a desperate attempt to stop looking like an Ewok with breasts! Even a quick plod to my GP for a delightful lady exam. It’s all been very productive.
It was so nice to visit my hairdresser. It had been 5 long months of DIY haircare. Although I had been successful in not looking neglected; I was definitely a far cry from well maintained. I brought my own water, my own magazine and despite the invariable sweating, that came with wearing a mask for the duration of my visit; I was very happy to be there. Looking beyond the visors, masks and other PPE, it felt beautifully normal albeit a little hot.
I could have hugged my beautician as I walked in. It’s amazing who and what you really miss when you can’t have it and my waxing lady definitely makes the top 10. I’m not vain in the least. My monthly trip to her is more than just necessary grooming, it’s the social aspect, the girl talk, the me time. I brought us both takeaway coffees, as drinks are no longer being served in the salon. We both wore masks and chatted like no time had passed.
For the first time in months I felt and looked like myself. As a stay at home mum, these appointments can sometimes be the only shred of social life I have. These ladies at times, are the only other souls I speak to, apart from my husband and daughter.
This lockdown has definitely made me appreciate the simple things. It may not have brought my family closer. It has not built any bridges or made any deep fundamental changes but as I walked through the high street with 2 coffees in my hand, heading towards the salon, it felt for a moment that Covid wasn’t part of my life. I enjoyed that moment..
A smear test every 3 years is just part and parcel of the ‘being a girl’ gig. I don’t mind them to be honest. It’s an important part of looking after oneself. Put it this way, I would rather have a cervical exam than visit my optician but hey, we all have our thang.
I had to wait in the GP carpark to be called to have my temperature checked; before I could head in to see the nurse. She and I discussed our respective trips to the hairdressers, during the procedure and shared a giggle at what was now the new normal. I could tell by how apologetic the nurses and staff were, that they were slowly getting used to being shouted at by frustrated members of the public. As I walked in, there was a very disgruntled lady, making her point shockingly clear to a poor and rather helpless receptionist. This lady went on to block the doorway, which meant at first I couldn’t enter. It’s sad that this whole nightmare hasn’t changed how some behave towards others.
I am a huge fan of Dhar Mann and his words of wisdom never fail to resonate with me.
“At any moment you could be next to someone whose life is falling completely apart and they’re trying their best to hold it all together. So always be kind, you never know what someone’s going through.”
Just before I left to go home, I had to have a blood test with another young nurse. It was lovely to chat to another woman about everything and nothing. I remember making her laugh, “you can come in any time!”, she said..
I love meeting nice people from the NHS. Having met many rather unpleasant ones, in my delightful journey through the wards, I cherish the kind ones. Much like they appear to cherish the patients that also extend kindness and respect to them.
It’s been wonderful to step outside my Covid bubble this month, to enjoy some simple pleasures again. For me I have loved the additional company. The conversations. Sharing experiences and jokes. Lockdown has been long. Isolation has been hard but having small aspects of my freedom back has come right on time.
Hope you’re enjoying some simple pleasures again too. Sharing food, spending time and being kind to one another.
I stumbled across this little ditty online today. It seemed apt especially now so I thought I would share.
“Kindness costs nothing. Sprinkle that shit everywhere!”