I would consider myself to be a fairly resilient person but these past couple of months of lockdown have been challenging to say the least. I’ve found myself attacking ant-vaxxers on line and even attempting to engage a local nutbag into a physical encounter at a service station. I’m not proud of it, but it happened. I had no idea I had so much pent up rage and I’m frankly ashamed.

As someone who works in the mental health space I would diagnose myself as being ‘tightly wound and ready to explode.’ Not quite Travis Bickle, but my tolerance of conspiracy theorists, ‘do it yourself’ epidemiologists and unmitigated levels of selfishness in our community has hit a threshold. This isn’t the Victoria I know and love.

For anyone not living in Victoria it’s incredibly difficult to imagine what this past two years of ‘Groundhog Day’ is actually like. I’m fortunate in that I can do some work during the week, but most days consist of breakfast, walk, coffee, shower, computer, book, TV or film. The things you took for granted like just driving to the northern suburbs to see your daughter, don’t exist.

All those Melbourne related options we are so blessed to have like footy, live music, theatre, festivals, galleries and the plethora of multi-cultural restaurants that we are so accustomed to having at our doorstep, are gone. It’s the social interaction and feeling part of something vibrant that we all miss, something Melbourne and Victoria has always delivered in spades.

Now, I’m the first person to say that there are far more people worse off than us. Whatever we think of the lockdown and in particular those removalists from Sydney, we can’t forget our nurses and health system that is under extreme stress. We are however, human and this lockdown has been tough.

This morning was one of those times where I could barely face another monotonous routine and by the time Lynda and I started walking I was grumpy. We decided to change the direction of the walk from Gardiners Creek in Ashburton to the Harlequins Rugby Oval in the vague hope of finding some inspiration that would alter my mood.

It was there that I came across the first inspiration that lifted my spirits. Dogs. They’ve had a good go of it these past two years and their energy isn’t wavering. The variety of breeds and joy the canines exude always brings a smile and even more so when they come running over for a pat. Lynda and I live in a rental so we are deprived of the unconditional love of a dog. Catching up with the local mutts has been therapeutic.

From the oval we headed  to our local café. Aliza’s in Chadstone. It was owned for a few years by a Jewish lady and amazing cook, Aliza and she then sold the business to an Iranian couple Roya and Sam in February 2020. Great timing huh?

My second inspiration comes from this couple who have come from a beautiful but highly volatile country and have not changed their attitude since taking over the café, despite what Covid continues to throw at them. Barely surviving, they are always smiling and up for a chat whilst remaining optimistic. The immaculately clean interior sits in a state of suspended animation like the relics of Pompeii, longing for the chatter of hungry patrons. They will overcome I’m sure of it.

Over the road from Aliza’s is the Waverley Basketball Centre, an oval and a playground. Lynda and I parked ourselves with our coffees on a picnic bench at the playground and watched as the third inspiration, children, ran amok with their unbridled enthusiasm.

A reminder at this point, that hanging around playgrounds is best done in pairs and not as a pudgy, middle aged singular male! Just a tip. Anyway, the sight of thirty odd kids between the ages of 3 to 6 exploring and testing their limits on the apparatus triggered some extremely joyous memories of my own girls who are now in their twenties.

Lynda taught kids like these for thirty years and despite being retired for over a year now she lights up every time we see their fearlessness and hear them espousing nothing but pure unaffected truths. Exactly the opposite to politicians, whom we hear way too much from.

At the end of the day it’s always the little things in life that provide the most inspiration. Maybe it’s an old record, some wildlife, family photos or cooking something you love (I did the best steak, eggs and chips the other night!), whatever it may be, I hope everyone in Victoria continues to hang in there.

It hasn’t been easy, and supporting each other is critical. Speaking to family and friends can be helpful but we all have different tolerances. There is plenty of extra support available via these agencies available 24/7:

Lifeline – 13 11 14

Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

Headspace – 1800 650 890

Mens Line – 1300 789 978