While many other countries around the world closed schools and advised or forced workers to start working from home, the UK took on more of a “keep calm and carry on” attitude. To the rest of the world, and even many citizens or residents of this great country, it seemed ludicrous. I, however, think the contrary.
To me, an American expat in the UK, our keep calm British attitude felt like we were taking a strategic-behind-closed-door approach from leadership advising the country in cutting edge science ways that the rest of the world simply didn’t know about. Whether any of my theory is true, it simply doesn’t matter.
The UK #stayhome is now on board with the rest of the world.
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All British schools are closed indefinitely and therefore the only piece left of my normal life is gone, too. While I could simply panic or flee (if that was even an option and no, I don’t want to if you’re wondering), I’m going to try my best to make the most of a very bad situation.
Whether you’re here or there, the situation is likely the same – the race to find tp has turned into a competitive sport, pubs and restaurants are closed, businesses are already shutting down, people are losing their jobs, students won’t march, parents are becoming school teachers overnight, some people are fighting for their lives, and waiting for your broadband to catch up with your typing is worse than watching paint dry. (If your broadband is even working!)
As much as I love social media (obviously) it’s also at combat with one of the UK’s greatest strengths – Keep Calm and Carry On.
Now, obviously we can’t carry on the same way we used to, but we can pivot just a little, right? It’s not going to be easy and it’s going to require a tremendous amount of gin, chocolate and a good sense of humor (thank goodness for Netflix, Amazon & YouTube!), but we can do it if we don’t let the pandemic meltdown entirely get to us.
And trust me, I very well could have melted down by now…
- My family was in Italy. Yup. Not far from where the coronavirus went on holiday, too. We did the Venice canals, ate gelato every day and were elbow-to-elbow with about a gillion Italians taking in Carnevale, too.
- Then we took a bus to Cortina, Northern Italy, and had a fab ski vacation. We enjoyed amazing food, shared chair lifts with others, hit the slopes and traveled by bus and airplanes through 3 different airports. 😳
- Within 12 hours of returning to the UK, my husband left for Singapore…right about the same time the BBC announced that Italy was hit by the virus and shutting down northern territories…unbeknownst to us who had just been there 12 hours prior….but have escaped so far virus-free. 🤞🏻
- And now we’re living in a foreign country with no way out during a pandemic the world hasn’t seen like this since 1918. 😷
Should I be panicking, anyone? (And no. We weren’t tested for COVID-19 for those of you that are thinking and wondering that very question.)
While I’m aware of 1 or 2 expats trying to find their way out, I’m working on ways to stay calm and carry on here (with or without the $1000 Trump announced American taxpayers will get).
Everyone’s situation is different and admittedly, I’ve been on the verge of tears once or twice, but I do believe we all have it in ourselves to get scrappy and find solutions to help us and those around us to keep calm and carry on so that we get through this – regardless of where we live.
Tips On How To Keep Calm And Carry On Right Now
1. If you aren’t already a member, join your neighborhood social media group.
If there isn’t a social media group maybe you can start one. WhatsApp is a great alternative, too.
2. Use social media as a way to ask for help.
Like, “Hey, I’m desperately out of X. Anyone willing to trade for A, B or C?” You’ll be surprised how many people will jump or offer solutions to lend a hand without even a trade.
3. Pay it forward by helping others.
Or if you were one of those people hoarding 190 rolls of tp (I heard you on LBC so I know you’re out there), leave extra supplies you don’t need outside with a “Take one #globalkindness” sign.
4. Think local.
The big chain supermarkets and retailers will weather the storm, but the little guys won’t. Instead of hitting your normal grocery, try the village convenience store, local butcher shop or even Etsy.
5. Get scrappy with where to buy products.
Instead of traditional means, think out-of-the-box. Like hand sanitizer…I scored some that were even on sale but not a typical hygiene go-to place. Even Louis Vuitton announced they are going to start making it. Or better yet, make your own.
6. For fruit and vegetables, buy from your local farmers market if there’s one still running. Heck, start planting your own garden.
Organic fruits and vegetables won’t stop growing and cheaper than most grocery stores. We planted a free M&S radish yesterday which coincidentally is the fastest growing vegetable. Just sayin.
7. Make your own.
Bread, muffins and other goodies that might seem like a carb or calorie overload are easy solutions that work. And if the plate isn’t covered in a rainbow of colors or the most balanced meal, cut yourself and your kids some slack.
8. #Kindness
Brighten someone’s day.…check in on someone by calling, Skyping or even making new friends with someone that might be in a worse situation. In fact, an American expat in Italy reached out via social and she’s someone I chat with every day now…as a source of dual encouragement connected by an expat bond.
9. Practice self-care at home.
Do some home exercises, yoga, meditate, read a book, paint your fingernails (a friend of mine used to do that in her office when things got messy and stressful at work…it was actually hilarious), do a Sex-In-The-City marathon (er, uh, I mean watch…or do 🤣)….whatever works.
10. And for the love of all, stay calm.
Our kids are watching us and if we lose it, they’ll lose it, too. If things couldn’t get worse, that will certainly do the trick. B-R-E-A-T-H-E. Repeat. Again. And Again. A glass of wine or two will help. 🍷
So while this global meltdown is unsettling for everyone and absolutely devastating for some (I simply can’t imagine), we are part of a nation that’s world-renown for its keep calm and carry on attitude. And if there was ever a time to endorse it, nows the time. As scrappy as that attitude needs to be, we can and WILL do this. 💪🏻
Looking for more expat resources? Try these.
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