Much has been said of the challenges of the last twelve months. We are all painfully aware of them and the intention of this blog piece is not to highlight them again. What I do want to talk about is the amazing opportunity we all now have in front of us.

I have gone through many transitions in my life. Times when I have moved out of (and sometimes into!) diversity and into a new way of being. What I have learnt from this is how valuable the tough times are in our own personal development and growth. It is these experiences that drives us forward and makes us strive for better, because we are stronger more determined people. Often it can be learning from your own mistakes, or from the mistakes of those around you… which is another reason why we should not be afraid of error. So long as you use it positively then it can be turned around into a good thing.

In the past, I have gone through these moments largely alone. The challenges I faced were personal ones and, although they had a huge impact on my life, they of course did not affect the rest of the population so profoundly.

This time, it is different. Every single person in this country has had their lives affected by the events of 2020 and 2021. No one has escaped unscathed and to a greater or lesser extent we have all experienced challenges, emotions, and anxieties we have never had to face before, but we are now facing the future together. I can feel the same kind of shift and transition in my veins that I have felt on numerous occasions in my personal life. On each of these occasions the change has been for the better and has resulted in a new, improved phase for me. We are moving towards this moment together with unity, and I hope we carry with us the memories and lessons we have learnt in recent months.

Ask yourself, what do you want to do differently? Is it a career change, a move towards adopting a more sustainable way of living, supporting vulnerable people in society or ensuring you do everything you can to support equality for all? Perhaps it is about maintaining the friendships we developed in lockdown, or spending more quality time with family or friends?

Whatever the impact the pandemic has had on you, please remember to use it wisely and productively in the exciting, new times that lie ahead.