Skulk

Fifteenth Sunday COVID Blog:

This week, with life seemingly heading towards the ‘new normal’ I have begun to reflect on the impact this pandemic has had on us as a society and as individuals, from the good the bad and the downright ugly.

For the introverted there has been time to shine, for the extroverted it has perhaps felt stifling. Whichever pigeon hole society or you yourself have placed yourself in, I think we can agree that we all in some way have changed and adapted over this time.

As a tactile human being I am still really struggling. I think when we are finally allowed to hug our families I will be likened to a limpet and I also know without a shadow of a doubt, that I will cry.

I have however found this time creatively inspiring and been ever more present in noticing the endeavours of others.

Social media has been both a blessing and a curse. However, without it, I think the majority of us would have been lost. The downside is that it has shown us the worst of humanity.

One of the things I have increasingly noticed on social media, mainly because I have reached another era is the attitude towards woman who apparently no longer exist past the age of 50 and to this end I produce exhibit A.

This little gem was posted on Twitter.

I have friends and family in their seventies who do not dress like the woman in the 50-60 bracket, let alone the 60+ box which seemly suggests that you also live in a colourless world.

I have a friend who is of a similar age to myself, she has been travelling around South America on her own since before lockdown, a fellow blogger who has encountered all sorts of obstacles from being mugged at gun point, to arguing with officials for a two hour lockdown pass to explore the country she is visiting at this time.

I have another friend who has been holding exercise classes in the street since this began and while Joe Wicks is about to slow down, she and her increasing classes are still going!

Neither of these incredible women fit in those ridiculous boxes and neither I am proud to say do I.

So, to this end I have put pen to paper as my observations also noted that while women appear to be put out to pasture, the male of the species are revered in a completely different light.

Whenever the likes of George Clooney, Idris Elba, Brad Pitt, Patrick Dempsey (the list is endless) are mentioned there is one name that frequently appears and one that does not.

I give you exhibit B

*Skulk is the collective noun for a group of foxes.

My pen has been flowing with similar retorts on this subject, one I am particularly proud of and cannot wait to share. This piece contains an expletive which encapsulates the ridiculousness and one that I intend to shout proudly, when I finally get the chance to again perform in front of a live audience.

My frustration is with society, the pen is always mightier than the sword and gives us the chance to readdress the balance.
As someone far more eloquent than I said:

“If not now, when?”

The lockdown has given me time to think about these issues and the fact that society seems intent on pointing us, as women, towards the colourless box.

A box that in reality, is filled with a myriad of rainbows for those brave enough, to never give in.

Keep shining,

Joy xxx