Privilege

I am white and was born (and live) in a first world country. These factors immediately make me more privileged than most individuals in the world. Then there is the fact that I’ve always had food, shelter, warm and love. For me, this feels like a huge responsibility, and at times it feels much bigger than others. At the moment it feels enormous. I struggle to know what to do with these feelings, and have done at every stage of my life. I often feel guilty or uncomfortable, and am always trying to work out what I should do with my privilege.

As Covid-19 sweeps the world an alarming rate – I have a good immune system, access to the NHS, the loveliest local friends, a church community, the internet, no grandparents to worry about losing, a mum who is full of life, four healthy children that have no underlying health conditions, I can stay at home with the boys, Jared can work by himself in his office, we have food in the house, fresh water, a TV, crafts galore, a washing machine and so much more. I can wash my hands and our home is a safe place that protects us.

I just wanted to say out loud that I know that I am privileged, and I try so hard in my life to not take things for granted – even though I know that I do. I would love to share my life online more often, but I am constantly hyperaware that I never, EVER want to come across as privileged, pretentious or entitled. I try so hard to appreciate the simple joys, and really want my boys to take stock of them too, but will always teach them that life isn’t fair, because how can life ever be fair? I get to experience the calmer side of Covid-19, not the extreme anguish many others in the world are experiencing.

Coronavirus will enter countries with no running water, very limited medication and where whole families live in one room. Children are born into this world that never get to experience love or happiness, people are born with and develop debilitating conditions, war still ravages whole communities and life for some people is just hardship, after hardship. They never seem to have a break, through no fault of their own. Heartbreaking.

With schools closed for the foreseeable future, we’re going to be staying home a lot. No after school clubs, no school, no socialising, no eating out, no gym going, no church on a Sunday, no play dates, no parties. At the moment I feel eager to work out a new rhythm to our life. Life has slowed right down, just how I have wanted it to for so long. I can already feel my creativity reemerging, and my head space clearing. Maybe we will realise what we need to cut out?

I don’t know whether our family will contract Covid-19 or not, but until then I am going to take this unique opportunity to slow right down – relax, read books, play games, watch films, craft, play in the garden and ignore the house. I’m hoping our home can become a sanctuary where there is less shouting, more patience and where new connections are made.

THANK YOU to all the INCREDIBLE people in the world going above and beyond their call of duty in every way, and with that – I am so sorry for the many individuals who have lost loved ones everywhere. It is absolutely devastating to lose someone you love, no matter the circumstances.

The world will heal from this pain, hopefully sooner, rather than later.

E xx

Disclosure: This post contains previously gifted items from Luna & Cash. Talk about privilege.