I am writing this looking back on the time we had in lockdown. It feels like a long time ago. I know most of the world is still reeling from COVID19 but here in NZ we seem to be clear from it and “normality” is being restored to some degree.
For me, the lockdown was a really lovely time of reflection and peace. We had been traveling for months and even before traveling, the hectic lives we lived did not give us much time to really slow down and come back to self. I had been promising myself for years that I would like to slow down and really go into peace and connect deeply. I would even go as far as to say it felt like a gift from the universe, a forced intervention, a detox from society, sent to rehab if you will. I was incredibly lucky to be able to self isolate in one of the most beautiful places on earth with a woman I deeply admire and love. Two beaches, hills to ramble, the freshest of air to breathe and quiet to release into. The weather was perfect for most of the lockdown so afternoons sitting on the beach reading were glorious and when the weather was bad it was still beautiful to be in. I will also be eternally grateful to the family George for letting us use this place.
I got into a routine of waking early to meditate and do yoga as the day woke up around me. The Tui’s R2D2 squeaks and whistles, the Bellbirds tuning notes and the vibration of life penetrating deep into me. I was literally vibrating with the world around me. I could feel globules of my soul flowing into me, pieces I had lost along the way of life that I thought I had lost forever. My body responded with joy and my soul sang. I found a great sensation of fulfillment, a sensation I had been looking for for a long time.
I connected with the sea again, swimming daily, fishing, and gathering kiamoana (seafood) for our pukus (belly). All this beauty under the protective presence of Moehau (the resting place of the wind). Each night a new sunset and each day a new dawn.
sunset over Moehau, view from window 
my first kahawai
Of course, lockdown ended and we were graced with the presence of the family, that was both glorious and a shock to the system, I realised I had forgotten how to talk to people. It was so odd to be with people again but at the same time so lovely.
As the lockdown levels progressed downward we made our first trip back to the big city to gather our winter gear. After nearly 7 weeks in isolation I saw my reflection for the first time in a full-length mirror and I did not recognize myself but I reckoned I looked very well and happy.
We gorged, Malay for dinner, cafe for breakfast and Thai take away the following night. I have to admit as much as I enjoyed it I felt a bit sick.
I do not want to sound as if I’m not affected by the suffering that COVID19 caused, I went through the stages of fear and anxiety but I decided to feel positive about it. I was blessed that my friends and family escaped any negative health issues (so far at least) from the pandemic.
I tried my best to not get pulled into the broadcast media narrative and conspiracy theories but I did lapse and argue with some people on social media but through it all my focus was to keep a clear head, read only fact-checked information from reliable sources, my own mental health was paramount.
The earth was getting a well-earned break, the Co2 savings alone were worth it. I felt there was a feeling around the world of almost relief, people getting back to what was really important. Suddenly that new IPhone meant nothing, consumerism gave us nothing, celebrity meant nothing. Real fulfillment came from connecting with family and friends, taking time over a good home-cooked meal, perfecting that gluten-free sourdough recipe and making apple cider vinegar. I really came to realize how addicted I was to society, how little it really gave me and what we really needed, we became a bit more self-reliant, it was so liberating.