Are we nearly there yet? SO’s

nearly Are we there yet?

Hypnotherapist Karen Martin examines the issue of how we can ensure we’re steering ourselves on to the right roadmap for a better future as we come out of lockdown

For some people, the direction their life was taking. Not hardest thing about the everyone has the life skills or pandemic will be the confidence to kickstart an interrupted prospect of returning to education or career path. normal, albeit a new one.

Three lockdowns in the past twelve ON THE MOVE AGAIN months have required many to put When the traffic lights go green and all their lives on pause, then reset, then roads to a new normal open up, anyone pause again. And . . . again. unsure of where they’re going next risks

It’s as if we’ve all been waiting at a stalling, freezing like a rabbit in the traffic light on the roadmap to headlights or, worse still, crashing and recovery hailed by Boris as being burning in a mental health crisis of the way forward. But there’s depression or anxiety. no ‘Lifeway’ code to help There’s been a lot of us navigate the jam this has created. “To fulfil their awareness of the reported surge in

Pre Covid, there potential, the young anxiety during wasn’t enough time to in particular have to lockdowns. I predict take the foot off the accelerator and brake or cruise for a while. get behind the wheel and steer their life there will be many more sufferers post the lifting of PAUSE AND towards success” restrictions as we all have to readjust to the REFLECT pressures and Being stuck at a red light is an responsibilities of normal life opportunity to reflect on what and adapt to uncertainties ahead. direction to take. When life is moving along at a steady pace, it’s easy to ACCELERATING follow the main drag and forget about CHANGE exploring other avenues. Being a Any crisis accelerates change. passenger. Not thinking about the Economically, socially and next turn. That relatively stress free technologically, there will be global but often unsatisfying option is no developments in infrastructure. This longer available to many. will potentially lead to better ways to

To fulfil their potential, the young work, live and benefit from scientific in particular have to get behind the progress post pandemic. wheel and steer their life towards On an individual level, we all have success. This is a tough challenge for the opportunity to seize the day and anyone who thought they knew which it remains to be seen how many of us are doing just that. Property sales in bucolic rural areas are on the up as city workers rush to the countryside for a happier, less hectic life. Employers recognising massive savings on expensive commercial space are embracing flexi working, changing the life of many commuters. Out of the surge in unemployment will come a rise in innovation as the newly jobless find creative new ways to make a living.

GET A MENTAL HEALTH MOT

Politicians will be called upon to put measures in place to provide more support to those who, for example, remain jobless or are mentally unwell because of the pandemic. Those who cannot just hop on the bus to a better future will get some help but it may not be enough or fast enough to help them back on their feet without consequences. Along with the casualties of Covid, these are also its victims. I was saddened to read that many of the homeless given accommodation during lockdown are back on the streets.

Temporary fixes during lockdown will hopefully lead to permanent changes in the areas where they are needed the most. The Government has pledged £500 million to improve mental health services which have been desperately underfunded for decades.

Many of those visiting my practice have given up waiting for a referral to an NHS therapist or there simply aren’t services available to help with their particular problem. Better access to mental health services and more choice of treatments available will help individuals get back in the driving seat and follow a new roadmap to a brighter future.

Karen Martin

2. SWEET TREAT These macaron shaped cushions add a pop of colour to any space

WAYS TO WORK SORBET SHADES INTO YOUR HOME THIS SPRING

1. TUTTI FRUTTI Sorbet shades to brighten up a room

Pretty pastels will make brightening up your space a breeze, says Sam Wylie-Harris…

Top of the colour charts, the pulling power of pastels never fades.

Serene, easy-on-the-eye hues and mellow effects can collide beautifully together. And in their low-key statement way – especially in the world of interiors – pastels are the never-boring neutrals in a wash of bold brights.

A clever tool to combine with eclectic furnishings, decos and romantic accents, a palette of plush pastels can be imaginably designed as a glamorous backdrop. Use them to draw in more light with paint choices, or turn up the volume and artfully place them among your hothouse of florals, or alongside dark furnishings for dramatic contrast.

Let’s see what’s turning heads on this season’s pastel parade…

1. Set of 3 Summer Fruit Abstract Art Prints A4, £59, Claude & Leighton A tempting trio that really hits the spot, these abstract prints in sorbet shades work like a dream with bleached wood and Scandi style furniture.

2. Round Ruched Velvet Cushions, £45 each, Graham & Green Funny how a plush velvet cushion shaped like an expensive macaron works like a sweet treat in any space – and picture perfect in pastels.

6. 3. Elinore Gold Swivel Base Accent Chair, £299, Next A chic 1930s-style cocktail chair to pimp up your boudoir, or set the tone for a creative corner, style with a brass standing lamp to complement the glitzy metal base. Drinks trolley optional.

4. Sadolin Superdec Peachy Punch Paint, from £19.99 for 1L, Buypaintsonline With everyone stepping into springtime, spruce up your outdoor space with a peachy paint shade. This satin opaque wood protection is suitable for windows, doors, conservatories and cladding.

5. Resplendence Blush Wallpaper, £65 per roll, Graham & Brown Wallpaper with the wow factor – with these striking teal peacocks perched amongst pale yellow blooms, you can evoke an exotic private garden to call your own. A fabulous take on luxe living for less.

6. The World Is Your Oyster Print, from £15 for A4, Eleanor Bowmer And of course, a clever styling trick is to tie a scheme together with a kittenish print for maximum impact.

7. LeBonCandles Full Twist Set of 6 Soy Wax Candles, £32, Etsy Funky and fun, twisted candles are all the rage and we’ve got a crush on this cute set.

8. Four Piece 200ml All Purpose Glasses – Set of 4, £38.91 (was £40.99), Wayfair Team pink crystal with blue, and just imagine how much lovelier your favourite glass of rosé or pinot grigio is going to taste in these glammy goblets.

9. Zuiver Luigi Table Range – Square and Round Side Tables available in

8. Pink, White and Green, £159 each, Cuckooland

A little Italian flair within arms’ reach… A sociable side table is just the ticket as we head into ‘spritz season’, and need something stylish to place our refreshing spring cocktail and bowl of olives on.