Surviving Social Distancing and Self Isolation Action Plan

As a rule, generally on a weekend and most evenings after work I am hardly ever at home. The great outdoors and adventure have pretty much always taken priority over most other things I've got going on in my life. Being stuck in today has given me lots of time to think. I've started to notice things that need doing around my home, things that I'd wouldn't usually give a second glance or thought too. It struck me the number of tasks I have put off for the sake of squeezing every drop of life in my ongoing quest and ravenous thirst for adventure! Today this darn coronavirus crisis has made me sit back, take stock, think and reevaluate my life!

So today is Mothers Day, and truth be told, it's been a really tough one.  I can't go to visit my mum, I can't go and see my children or my grandchildren. They are all self isolating. As much as I'd love to see and spend time with family right now, just the thought of  passing anything on to the people I love more than anything else in the world terrifies me! 

So far  I've tried my best to remain upbeat and positive throughout this whole situation, but spending Mothers day completely alone has taken it's toll and really got me down.

Counting blessings is usually my way of playing the 'get out of gloom jail free card, I have to say I am very grateful at nearly half a century old, before today I've never experienced loneliness. It actually took me a while to recognise and name the feeling.  It's made me realise just how lucky I've been to get to this point in life feeling loved, cared for, supported, always having someone to turn to and somewhere to go. It was the head shake I needed, just because I can't see my family today or for the foreseeable future, it doesn't mean they aren't there. Not everyone is this fortunate.

It struck me how quickly and easily social distancing and self isolation has had an affect on my mental health and well-being. I've decided, as with my life, my work, my adventures - I need a plan!

Being someone who always strives to think of the positive outcomes that can be derived from bad and grim situations, I've decided to use social distancing and self isolation to my advantage. From this day on I am using this darn coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to do all the things I generally don't get round to doing. I am making a list of all the things I usually avoid, overlook or put off for the sake of something more exciting. I'm devising my very own 'surviving social distancing and self isolation action plan'. I will be timetabling, prioritizing activities and tasks. I will be writing clear aims, objectives, key performance indicators and reviewing my progress along the way.

I have started making a mental note and already it's unbelievable the list of things I have put off doing around the home and garden. I know already I will need to be creative, resourceful and use my initiative.  I will also have to slow down, find ways to stay positive, plan in time to work out, take care of my body and health, limit my caffeine intake, call and speak to friends and family, be adaptable and adjust my coping strategy to fit with changing times.

Watch this space for regular progress reports!! Happy Mothers Day.

by Maggie Martin

Our grandchildren's grandchildren will listen to stories of the time the world stopped

Over the last few days I've encountered a growing sense of fear and unease. Wherever I've been people are talking about Coronavirus; Covid-19.  I haven't been able to escape it, it's everywhere - in conversation, on social media, on TV. With it comes an eerie, surreal feeling that life is about to change. It reminds me of being a child and listening to my Granddad telling me stories all about the war.

I distinctly remember thinking how scary it must have been, hearing the sirens, fearing death, the sight of destroyed buildings, devastation, corpses, body parts. Families clinging together under tables, in air raid shelters or being evacuated. Children being sent miles away from home, going to live with strange people in strange places. I couldn't even begin to imagine the fear, disruption, chaos and change it brought to peoples lives.

Back to today and life very suddenly has started to feel different! Streets, shops, shelves are emptier.  Faces scared to cough or sneeze. Fear of being observed by watchful strangers with hyper vigilant eyes. Face masks, disposable gloves, distinct smells of bleach in the air.

Then there are the people; the optimists, the pessimists, the blame-shame people, the lets rally around people and the live in a bubble people in complete denial that life as they know it will never be the same again. There is no way of knowing what's going to happen, how long this is going to last or the lasting effect it will have on our lives. The unknowing brings fear. Fear for love ones, fear for loss - loss of life, loss of business, loss of routine, loss of normality.  I am without a doubt in the 'life in a bubble' type category. I like life in my bubble, it feels safe there, it's a happy place. I clung on to hope and positivity for as long as I could before reality popped and the 'this is a bit shit' fan hit.

After an initial gulp, once that bubble pops there is no turning back moment, I started to think about my mum telling me stories about her being an evacuee, living on a farm and how she'd loved to ride on the backs of the pigs.  I remember all the things I loved about the war time stories my granddad told.  His tales always involved a sense of hope. Despite people being faced with real atrocities and fear for their lives, his stories were jam packed full of how resilient and resourceful people could be.

It's definitely time for me to face up to the reality that things have changed. There will come challenges along with these changes. Life has sent us its own adventure and there isn't enough emojis to acknowledge all the emotions going on for people all over this planet right now. Every day, every hour brings with it something new. It's time to grab hold of hope, become resilient, be resourceful and remember compassion, love and connection is the antidote to fear!

 History will remember when the world stopped

"This damn virus has already taken plenty lives. No more!! Let our legacy be we are kinder, braver, more considerate of others, more helpful, more co-operation between individuals & nations, more fairness, no more war threats, no more hatred, more power for the people not the rich, greedy or despots. In the end we are ALL the same to this virus - colour, creed, wealth, looks doesn't come into it. It will kill anyone anywhere. Once we have won this battle to survive, let us rise together as one united world, together, & let this invisible killer be our only enemy. " Marilyn Elizabeth Taylor

One way or another the world will get through this and our grandchildren's grandchildren will listen to stories of the time the world stopped.

by Maggie Martin

Finding Hope in a Coronavirus Crisis

After breathing a sigh of a relief that Brexit would no longer be the most used word in the English language, coronavirus pandemonium strikes full force! I never thought I would live to see the day toilet roll and hand gel would become more sought after than gold dust!

I've always been a big believer you can find a positive in any situation, no matter how grim. I have an agreeable disposition with fear, but the thought of self isolation triggered my panic button. I tried to comforted myself with visions of self isolation at the top of mountains, in forests, woodlands, anywhere but being stuck in the house! Alongside my relationship phobia (a whole blog topic in itself!) I even surprised myself that one of my deepest darkest fears was being stuck inside! It started me thinking about the number of times I've heard the words; "you must never be in!" - True story!

Usually I have such a positive outlook on life. I can truly say I am in love with my life. I got a parking ticket on Friday 13th, after my natural initial annoyance, I found the whole state of affairs quite exciting! The faceless voice at the end of the phone had said, I was without a doubt, the cheeriest person he had ever encountered calling to pay a parking fine. I'd been determined not to let it spoil my day. Like most crap situations in my life I turned it into an adventure. It's my coping strategy. Perspective is powerful! Controlling your thoughts and reactions to certain situations is important, I do this by reminding myself each and every single day; there is always a positive!

Anne Frank fled the Jewish Holocaust with her family, lived in hiding for two years, and was sent to a concentration camp where she died at the age of fifteen. Yet even in the throes of her suffering, the words she recorded in her diary were flooded with hope and positivity:

“I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness; I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too. I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more.” Anne Frank

The number of times I talk about living in the moment, squeezing every drop from life, choosing positivity over fear, yet here I was starting to pre-empt cabin fever - just at the thought of self isolation! Cabin fever is not a disease as such, it's a claustrophobic reaction, manifested as extreme irritability and restlessness. It takes place when a person ends up stuck indoors. This describes me to a tee! As much as I do love my home - I'd never want to spend the majority of my time in it! Just the thought drives me stir crazy!

Even as a child I was always out exploring; in the woods, splashing in puddles, in rivers, climbing trees; losing hours outside playing; most people who know me now would say not much has changed! Being stuck in the house triggered my fear response much more than running out of loo roll! I had to find a positive.

As soon as I started looking, something changed; I noticed stories about people singing from their balconies. People creating groups on social media reaching out to people with offers of help. People showing love, care, compassion in the midst of the chaos, this filled me with hope.

Then I came across this;

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But, they say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise you can hear the birds again!
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet the sky is no longer thick with fumes but blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi people are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland are offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood so that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting!
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way!
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality -
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.

So we pray and we remember...

Yes there is fear. But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying. But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness. But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death. But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe. Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic.
The birds are singing again. The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, and we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul and though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Sing!

Fr. Richard Hendrick

Just as my fear button was pushed, there will be many different things that trigger fear in people in relation to the Coronavirus pandemic. Some will fear loss of money, others public spaces, getting sick, passing onto loved ones. A message from a dear friend with one lung and a "useless" immune system definitely put my fears into perspective! 

So, from now on I  am refusing to let fear steal my hope and joy. If I do have to stay in, I will use it as an opportunity to do all the things I put off, like decorating, cleaning, clearing, sorting.

Until then I will continue to catch as many sunrises and sunsets as I can, go on welly walks, climb mountains, splash in puddles, swim in the sea, enjoy campfires. I will continue to smile, laugh, play, find joy in every day adventures and love deeply my amazing relationship with life.

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”– Leo F. Buscaglia

by Maggie Martin

Empowered Women Empower Women

It was last year in the run up to International Women's Day 2019 I saw this quote; - "Empowered Women Empower Women!" It certainly wasn't the first time I'd seen the quote, it was however the first time reading it inspired me into action, and Wild Women Adventures was born. I wasn't actually sure what I wanted to achieve when I set up the group, to be honest I still don't, all I knew was that I wanted to plan opportunities for women to take a step out of their comfort zone, have fun, excitement, make new friends, support each other, feel stronger and become more confident.

Looking back, I am sure it wasn't a coincidence I created the group at a time I was starting to feel disempowered within my own life. This wasn't a feeling I had experienced before; hindsight is a powerful thing, and at the time I didn't fully understand the reasons for my frustrations. I now know, amongst other things, it was due to me feeling unable to use my skills and experience to their full potential.  It was awful, I knew I needed to find a source to redirect these horrible, uncomfortable feelings into something positive. Wild Women Adventures became this source.

The more frustrated I felt within my day to day life, the more adventurous the activities within my wild woman world became.

Wild Women Adventures was 1 Year Old on 8th March - International Women's Day. There has been so many things that have changed over the course of the year. I now have the freedom in my day to day life as well as in my wild women world to be creative, to grow and develop my own ideas, as well have the opportunity support and empower others to grow and develop theirs.

The wild women group has grown not just in size but also in personality, it has taken on a life of its own. As well as being a welcoming, safe, bright, positive and supportive space, there are so many women in the group planning their own events and activities, sharing their skills, sharing opportunities and experiences, sharing ideas and aspirations.

Our motto; When women support each other incredible things happen. This is definitely true. This last year has been an incredible year and the years ahead are full of many more adventures of all shapes and sizes.

https://adventureswildwomen.blogspot.com/2020/02/a-year-in-life-of-wild-woman.html

The things people have done, the achievements they have made, the courage they have shown, the support and encouragement they have given me, the support and encouragement they have given each other, fills me with joy, pride, fulfillment and satisfaction.

Wild Women Adventures Public Page

I am so proud to be a wild woman.

by Maggie Martin

Wild Women Naked Calendar

My sister once got me a framed quote for my wall, it says; "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." It's the very first thing I see when I walk though my front door. 

Amid conversations fueled by laughter and mugs of mulled wine during a Christmas wild camp in the woods, the idea of the Wild Women Naked Calendar was born. I can't even remember what brought about the conversation, but I knew instantly this was something I really wanted to make happen!

I'd noticed talk around negative body image a number of times in general conversation on various adventures. Women have become experts at finding faults with their bodies. It's no wonder, we all get bombarded with images that tell us our bodies are imperfect - too fat, too thin, too smelly, too wrinkled, too dimply, too soft. These messages seep under our skin, into our brains and it seriously messes with our self-esteem. And I mean seriously! - We would be hard pushed to meet a person, in a society where images of super models are photo shopped to perfection, who doesn't have body insecurities! On a Spanish adventure retreat, jam packed full of adrenaline fueled rock climbing, abseiling and caving activities, wearing a bikini was described as being the one of the biggest stretches out of peoples comfort zones and on a wild water adventure, there were similar conversations around squeezing in and out of wet suits being scarier than white water rafting!  

As with everything there is a choice, we can either spend our lives thinking my butt’s too big, too small, too flat, too dimply, too soft, or we can learn to appreciate our body just as it is. All things considered, this is definitely a lot easier said than done. 

“Our culture is obsessed with perfection, especially when it comes to the way women look. The parameters of acceptability as far as physical appearance go are so limiting that only a handful of women actually fall into this category. And the rest of us are left to either squeeze ourselves into molds that don't fit, hating ourselves all the while, or we just give up entirely.”
― Yancy Lael.

These thoughts had been going round my head for a while prior to the mention of the calendar, the second the calander was mentioned I knew it had to happen. We might not have whatever we think is the perfect body, but there is definitely a lot we can do to learn to love the body we are in. First step, lets face our fear.

I often tell myself self belief is the antidote to fear. There used to be a quote on the wall of a high school I once worked in; “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're probably right.”― Henry Ford I remember the first time I read it, it really struck a cord with me and has stayed with me ever since!  An impromptu skinny dip on a cold December evening completely sealed the deal.

The Wild Women Adventures naked calendar is our stand against socially constructed ideas of beauty, its about us facing our fears and pushing our comfort zones. It's about having fun, feeling liberated and supporting each other as well as two local charities along the way. It's about us learning to love ourselves, redefining beauty, being wild and feeling free.

Proceeds from the calander sales will go to FACT Fighting All Cancers Together and Northumberland Mountain Rescue. 

“Body acceptance means, as much as possible, approving of and loving your body, despite its “imperfections”, real or perceived. That means accepting that your body is fatter than some others, or thinner than some others, that your eyes are a little crooked, that you have a disability that makes walking difficult, that you have health concerns that you have to deal with — but that all of that doesn’t mean that you need to be ashamed of your body or try to change it. Body acceptance allows for the fact that there is a diversity of bodies in the world, and that there’s no wrong way to have one.”

― Golda Poretsky

An absolutely massive thank you goes to Rachel McClumpa from rjm-photography.co.uk and a tribe of strong, brave willing wild women for making this happen!

Photo shoot Number One

By Maggie Martin