More than just the “usual”.
Life is a funny thing – there are days, weeks even months when things are on a mostly even keel. People ask what have you been doing and you respond “Not much…. Just the usual…. Just boring stuff really”. Life is full of the everyday stuff – work, home life, bills, food shopping, family sport, your usual groups and catch ups. Every now and then, though, life throws you a curve ball. Sometimes these are small challenges that we tackle with our usual resilience and, although trying, we emerge the other side mostly unscathed. But sometimes we are dealt a big blow – one that rocks us to the core; that challenges our perceptions, our sense of safety, our wellbeing and our sense of self.
During the past week in the Yarra Valley and Yarra Ranges we all experienced a curve ball in the form of a storm. For some of us in the community, this created a little glitch in our “usual” and the impact on our lives was bothersome and somewhat challenging. For others this storm has created a major upheaval – whether it be the physical damage to homes and property and/or the lack of electricity, warmth, drinking water and communication – all of these elements have had a dramatic effect on life as “usual”. Community has rallied, of course, to provide some of the essentials – food that can be cooked on a campfire, wood for fireplaces, generators to power at least a light, blankets for warmth.
What is also much needed at these times is emotional support – a check-in, a shoulder to cry on or rage at, a safe place to express fears, a place to cry for your loss and your ongoing frustration. This support may be required now or maybe sometime soon when life is back to a more normal. What is important is that you do check in and reach out to those in need and those you need – whether your “usual” has been disrupted a lot or a little. Remember to do a self check-in also – sometimes we struggle with the feelings and emotions that follow a disaster event. If you find that these feelings and emotions are getting on top of you, seek help. The Yarra Ranges Council have a list of support services for storm relief, including counselling, that can be found by clicking on this link and Beyond Blue have a fabulous page on looking after yourself after a disaster that can be accessed here. We are also here for you at the House – call, email or pop in for a warm chat and a hot cuppa.
