Pause
August is, in many countries, traditionally the holiday month particularly if children are of school age. It’s the time taken to step away from the freneticism; to take the foot off the gas and stop imitating bees trapped in a jam jar. It is time to pause. Mindfulness on a daily basis is advocated for just that purpose, but a longer length of time allows access to a different kind of respite; a break from routine, even a different environment or climate.
In light of the past few months of lockdown, working from home or caring at a distance for family – particularly those either shielded or elderly and vulnerable members; home schooling, and with little change in environment, a more prolonged time out away or a series of short breaks from these intense or unfamiliar pressures, might be the way to enjoy time with the family again.
More elderly members of most families have been particularly hard hit by lockdown restrictions, especially if they’re either living alone or in care homes, and have been unable to have face to face contact with either friends or family. There are those who have become far less mobile, unable even to go for a walk, so balance and badly needed muscular strength has diminished. Others, through lack of external stimulus have lost a lot of their confidence, and conversation has become increasingly repetitive.
My parents both feel that of the few years left to them, six months have been stolen, or permanently paused.
Amanda Attrell, Later Life Lawyer at Coole Bevis Solicitors LLP, and Dementia Friends Champion, says that data from the Office for National Statistics shows how people living with dementia have been hit incredibly hard by the pandemic. In March and April this year, 25,000 people living with dementia passed away – double the usual number.
Amanda continues – “….feeling disconnected from friends and family will increase a sense of loneliness and losing regular routine can exacerbate worries and anxieties for many. As friends and family, services and businesses adapt to the pandemic, hopefully we can all continue to find safe ways of connecting with others whilst focusing on maintaining healthy routines.”
Historically, multi-generational holidays, days out, even a weekly get together were the norm. These are what created the memories; the activity; the conversation and constant interaction to the wider world for those beginning to retreat a little from it. It was a different kind of pause then but has never been more relevant than it is now.
“A Bespoke Service” - words often misappropriated.
Traditional Saville Row tailors always advertise a bespoke service in the form of a handmade and uniquely measured and constructed suit, made specifically to each individual client’s shape, size and measurements.
Cristobal Balenciaga once said of haute couture that “… a dress follows the woman’s body. It’s not the woman who follows the dress.”
A bespoke service provision should be entirely defined by the needs; the goals; the time frame, the feelings and the wishes of the client. Whilst there will be some structural commonality in the type or relevance of the service being provided, it is only by investing the time; by understanding what an individual client is actually wanting and why; listening closely to what they are saying, how they are saying it and
how they are saying it and listening closely enough so that details aren’t overlooked that an exclusively structured bespoke service provision can be fulfilled.
This is why BDB is truly bespoke. We pause and consider in depth, so that we can create and project manage and fulfil – as far as possible – the outcome that the client is seeking.
“..The pause is as important as the note..”
The Aesop Fable about a fox successfully tempting a goat to join him at the bottom of a well, without finding out first he couldn’t climb out again concludes that it’s better to look before you leap. The power of pause determining perhaps a different decision and outcome.
Albert Einstein said that “… if you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” He maintained that pausing time in short bursts to play in an imaginary world enhances cognitive development.
So if thoughts and actions are likely to be upgraded; stress levels reduced; sleep patterns improved and our overall wellbeing accelerated, why wouldn’t we enjoy the view – with our loved ones – and pause for a bit? KitKats optional.
Thank you for reading and most importantly, stay safe and well.
Best Wishes –
Claire
