Covid-19 has shaken the world, but not like an earthquake or a hurricane. Earthquakes and hurricanes devastate and kill, but when they are over, we pick up the pieces and rebuild somewhere else, or in the same place but with deeper foundations. This is different. With this virus, there’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide, and we have no idea how to rebuild our lives or our societies. It’s all one step forward and two steps back. Like it or not, we’re in it for the long haul, and it is up to each of us, as individuals, to protect ourselves and those we love.

There’s no doubt that everything is not OK. It’s a new world we’re living in, and there’s no room for stupidity or indecisiveness. Faced with this uncertainty, we must create and live with new versions of ourselves. The time has come to shake off the old assumptions and habits that weaken us and to take charge of our lives with a mission to succeed in the face of this unwanted transition.

Avoiding the difficulties of the change is pointless. Missing training opportunities, refusing to learn new technologies you now need or avoiding difficult calls is not going to help. We all need to become a part of the change, be positive and proactive. That does not mean we won’t need support to cope but taking control of the situation is the best strategy.

Rather than letting negative reactions overcome you, writing them down and exploring them can be helpful. How about a SWOT analysis to make you more objective about the threats you are facing? Are there any opportunities in your new situation?

Acknowledging emotions and expressing them in words can rob them of their power. Last week the UK imposed a quarantine on travellers returning from Spain. I was despondent when my friends cancelled their flights. “I seem to be obsessing about spending his summer alone”, I repeated aloud and made a commitment to move on.

Now, to turn this enforced solitude into an opportunity. My sadly neglected garden will appreciate some tender loving care. My body will firm up if I go cycling instead of lazing about drinking wine with my pals. My peace of mind will be better if I start drawing again and nurture my creative side. It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life… and it’s an opportunity to accept and move forward.