Are you a hugger or a kisser?

Me, well, i’m definitely a hugger.

There’s nothing better than a big warm hug from someone.

But, you don’t know how important a hug is until it gets taken away from you. 

Imagine having to live each day with fear of getting too close to someone, letting fear stop us from hugging.

And sorry, but, an air hug, text hug, video hug or emoji hug just doesn’t cut it.

The last two years has changed us with plenty of rules and challenges, and many reminders of what is important in life. 

It put distance between every person we love and care about. 

Humans were expected to fight something together, while being all alone.

A face mask had become an every day accessory, and a necessity.

And I really wish that I bought stocks in face masks!! (Even though I can’t breathe with those damn things).

Leaving the house used to be… 
Wallet, keys, phone.

Now it is…
Wallet, keys, phone… mask!

No, wait…
Wallet, keys, phone… mask!… hand sanitiser!!… Covid certificate!!!

At least you can still wear a mask when you hug someone, hmmm… but there goes the 1.5 metre rule out the window. 

So, in a world with no hugs (or kisses).
What the heck do we do?

We relied on the amazing invention of technology to get us through. An internet connection was our lifeline… 

Video chatting
Zoom meetings
Work from home
Home schooling
Online shopping
Home deliveries

These technologies saved so many of us while we all stayed at home.

Some were lucky enough to live with family members, but those others living on their own… I only hoped they had their hugs from a pet.

Every day became a blur, I lost track of the days with the weeks mashing together, after months of living in a “singles” bubble, balancing life, work, home schooling, shopping and call catch-ups… just to try and continue a sense of normality while working in pyjamas, starting the car once a week and forgetting how good the outside air and sun feels.

Yes, we definitely all must be feeling the pressures after the whole world was kept away from each other. 

We are now easing out of restrictions…
So, what did we learn during this time?

I learnt that some things were surely taken for granted, like only having one toilet roll left in the bathroom and your grocery time slot delivery wasn’t available for another 7 whole days (the struggle was real).

It’s battle conditions out there people!! … how did we even survive without a hug (and toilet paper). 

The truth is that what i missed most was that simple form of affection that is a hug.

I know one thing for certain, the first thing i want to do out of lockdown is get a big hug from everyone, and give a big hug back in return. 

It’s the most important thing to me now… thanks Covid for that very hard lesson. 

With the Christmas season quickly approaching, things will definitely be simplified this time around, as so much has been put in perspective. There is only one important wish this year, and that is for everyone to feel safe again, to be close with the ones we love and get the chance to give big hugs again. 

If you don’t receive a Christmas present from me in 2021, it is most likely because it is “Unavailable” or “Out of stock online”… i’ll keep trying for next year, haha. 

Anyway, the most important gifts are to be happy and healthy… happy-ish and healthy-ish.