It is now like a stale old joke that you’ve heard countless times before. Victoria – Melbourne and it’s regions are in a full lockdown for the next 5 days (possibly longer if we don’t control the Delta variant that is making its way through the community).

The virus was brought in by a couple of removalists from New South Wales who failed to follow restrictions in their own state, moving the furniture of a covid positive family who have since passed on the virus to their new apartment block neighbors before setting off on a Thelma and Louise adventure through shops, football grounds and more creating havoc in their wake. Once found, they were elusive and obstructionist with their information to authorities.

Once I saw the figures rising early this week, there was a niggling part of me that thought, “my Bendigo weekend away to the National Sheep and Wool Show” will not be going ahead.

After four lockdowns, Victorians can read the signs. These are now part of life.

I looked at my calendar and made a mental note. Change the date for the plumber and the garden clean up. Get a refunds. Move appointments around.

These are the things we do now as a standard matter of course.

Last week, I decided to move my second AZ vaccination one week earlier. When numbers of covid cases started rising in the community, you start to make little plans to anticipate what the next couple of weeks would be like. Getting the AZ shot earlier would have meant less time waiting in queues with the masses of people rushing to get their dose in lockdown.

Two nights ago my mum calls me concerned.

“I’m afraid to go to my brother’s tomorrow” she tells me.

She hadn’t seen him for near two years as he lives further out and has not travelled on public transport for the entire time of covid. I had planned to drive her there so that she could at least get out of the house – the first time in two years.

“Mum,” I said. “I know that you’re feeling concerned. However, if they haven’t been to any hotspots and if we keep safe then let’s not delay any longer. Besides, you’ve been waiting for this for so long. Let’s go and enjoy the moments with your brother. You just don’t know what tomorrow holds.”

So we did. I’m glad we did. I hadn’t seen my aunt, uncle and my cousin for so long. We spent the day there catching up with our news, recounting stories of the past, eating a wonderful lunch that was put on at the spur of the moment.

It was what both my parents – and myself – needed.

That visit is now enough to keep going for another lockdown.

These lockdowns have taught me a lot about myself and my life. Realisations have come in thick and fast – some good, some not so good.

These are:

If you want to do something, see something – do it now, do it today, do it immediately.

Anything you’ve planned one day, one week, one month, one year ahead is likely not to happen.

Your health and well-being comes first. Do what you can to maximise this.

Your family will be the only people who will come to you to help you out in times of stress. Make amends with family.

You will know who your true friends are at this time. Stick with them, others you can steer away from as you don’t need them in your life.

You are not your work. You are so much bigger. Work is a transaction. Sure, enjoy it & give it your all during work hours but it’s not your life.

I’ve you’ve got regrets (I’ve got a couple), do your best to make them happen, sort them out, tick them off, and just move on.