As we begin to ease out of restrictions it has occured to me that there are some things for which I am grateful. Things that may not have happened, or I may not have experienced, had it not been for the pandemic.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm as eager as the next person for the day when we are looking at the pandemic through a rearview mirror. The health and safety concerns for all, and the inability to be with loved ones and close friends at times, are at the forefront of what I will be keen to farewell when that day finally comes.

However, in the process of following the health rules, the stay-at-home regulations and the various travel restrictions I have developed some new skills and encountered experiences that I would have previously missed.

For starters I have a far better understanding of technology. I've become adept at online shopping (not sure if that is a good or bad thing), but I can say that click and collect grocery shopping has given me back at least an hour on weekends.

I no longer trudge through the supermarket each weekend, trying desperately to social distance from the hordes while attempting to remember what I need to buy. Instead I build my shopping list online throughout each week before I submit and pay for my order online. Someone else gathers and packs the goods for me. All I have to do is turn up at my designated time, in the designated parking space so the groceries can be delivered to my boot.

Click and Collect is a newfound habit I will definitely be keeping.

Another experience that is certain to remain on my list of things to continue are day trips, and short getaways.

A stunning waterfall in a nearby national park, strawberry picking in Beechworth, just south of the Victorian border (when the border was open) and a bucket list adventure snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef (also when the border was open) are just some experiences that have inspired me to see more on home soil.

Then there are my newfound gardening skills. For the record I am not great at this, but my ability to harvest some fruit and vegetables from my backyard garden (see above picture) is better than it used to be. This is definitely a skill that I have embraced and I'm eager to improve.

What are some of the positives you have experienced through the pandemic?

Stay safe and look on the bright side,

Jackie Meyers

Editor