Parenting

Creating a new balance in your life

by SID MADGE, author of the ‘Meee in a Minute’ series of books

During this year we are finding ourselves being reminded of what is truly important and meaningful in our lives. It’s the micro moments of love, trust, gratitude, a smile or shared laughter. Simple things. Human things. The one important question is whether we will take notice of those lessons and insights and use them to create something better or whether we will all go back to the way it was. There is much talk about a ‘new normal’. I suggest we forget about normal or new normal and instead focus on ‘New Balance’.

The question then is, how can you create a new and better balance in life for you and your family as we emerge from the pandemic? Here are some practical ideas for you to use and to share with others:

Every day get outside, ideally in nature or a local park. Walk, and notice the trees, the bird song, the changing seasons. Use the time even if it’s just a few minutes, to learn to just ‘be’. Listen. Think. Spend time in silence. Start each day with positivity. Focus on what you want to achieve today. Take a minute to remind yourself what you are already grateful for in your life. Write down six things you are grateful for, and six things you must achieve today. Use these as your focus. While commuting or eating breakfast read an inspirational book. For example, ‘Meee in a Work Minute’ has 60 one-minute nuggets of wisdom including short exercises to start your day with positivity. There are many great books so pick those that resonate with you. Connect with people you care about. Find ways (using the tips above) to maintain a connection and to find a balance that works for both parts of your life; work and home. At home, talk, eat together as a family. Maintain the strengthened bonds facilitated by the pandemic. Eradicate unnecessary activity. Ask yourself does this activity add value and make you feel better or does it detract from your life. Lockdown has taught us what is really important and spending money and endless shopping doesn’t appear to have made the cut. Take some time to consider what’s really important in your life. If something doesn’t add value, eliminate it or seek to cut down that activity in your life. Focus on what matters professionally and personally. Focus on what makes you and your loved-ones happy. And make these things the priority.

Pay it forward to tackle mental health

Mental health and wellbeing charity Shaw Mind is calling on the nation to ‘pay it forward’ and make a donation to ensure the next generation has the best mental health support available. Its new campaign, ‘Give Five, Save Lives’ encourages the UK to help fund additional teacher training as mental health and wellbeing becomes part of the curriculum. The WHO reports that half of mental ill health conditions start by the age of 14, though many go undetected and untreated, and 75% develop by the age of 18. Pre-Covid19, British children as young as five years old were being diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

To make a donation to ‘Give Five, Save Lives’, visit Shaw Mind’s dedicated Aviva Community Fund page www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/givefivesavelives

TOY STORY

Although toys might not seem likely contenders for items to invest in, if you come across the right ones and keep them in perfect condition, you may have hit the jackpot. OnBuy looked into some of the most valuable toys and games that could earn you a fortune: • Hot Wheels have the most monthly searches at 894,500, with the most valuable car said to be worth £134,000. • Trading Cards have sold for the highest amount, with a Honus

Wagner 1909 card being sold for £2.9m. • Disney VHS Tapes have the least amount of monthly searches and have sold on eBay for £11,000.