It’s fair to say that a lot of us have been on a downer the past week. With headlines screaming Christmas cancelled would you blame us? The latest restrictions have compacted the sense of anxiety and panic in our society. Even if – like me – you’ve been resolutely trying to avoid the COVID-19 talk, it’s impossible because it has completely changed how we live our lives. Back in March, lockdown was a novelty, whereas now, facing into a long winter, the thought of it is both all-consuming and stress-inducing.

Now, more than ever, we need to be aware of our thoughts and how we feel. This situation feels out of our control, which is why it’s important to remind ourselves of what we can control.

Mindfulness is so vital. I would have been the first person to turn my nose up at it, but the reality is that COVID-19 has made us realise that nothing is set in stone. The present moment is all that we can focus on and we can only deal with life one day at a time.

Depending on the amenities in your county, you can walk on the beach, walk through the trees, be out in nature

Experts are telling us that in terms of our psychology, we need to work on our emotional toolkit to ensure that we can have as much resilience as possible. Right now, what can we do? Depending on the amenities in your county, you can walk on the beach, walk through the trees, be out in nature. You can organise a Zoom dinner party with friends or a home movie night and make it feel like the cinema. I’m not going to suggest a Kahoot or Zoom catch up, because I’m even sick of those.

We can still make short-term plans, because it is vital to have something to look forward to when keeping our happiness levels up.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by any of this, you can talk to someone from Turn2me, a free counselling initiative where you can text or call. I know that some of the suggestions now are grating, like learning a new skill, baking and playing an instrument, but some of them may be helpful.

Mental health is more than a hashtag and an Instagram post

If you are finding yourself going through repetitive negative thought cycles, there are CBT courses available through accredited therapists or online, which can equip you with the tools needed to navigate these challenging times.

Mental health is more than a hashtag and an Instagram post – it requires constant management, as it is ever-evolving, depending on our life circumstances and the challenges that we face. Right now, everyone is feeling more isolated than ever before. This virus has crossed all divides – urban and rural, old and young. We are all in the same boat. When this feels overwhelming, there is always someone there to help you, to listen to you, to guide you.

Remember: “Ní neart go cur le chéile.” It has never felt as befitting as it does now.

Limerick YFDG

Like many Macra clubs, we have had to go online and communicate with our members through numerous different platforms. Since August, chair Stephanie Blewitt and secretary Stephen O’Keeffe have been very busy setting out events for Limerick Young Farmers over the coming year. Limerick YFDG is affiliated with Limerick Macra, who help us engage with young farmers on the ground through our six local clubs. Within each club, there are YFDG officers who relay information to and from the county to club members.

In August, we asked our members to fill out a survey with 10 short and simple questions, aimed at getting a feel of what would interest our members – farm walks, discussion groups, Skillnet and farm competitions. We got great feedback, with many expressing great interest for financial planning and options within the Land Mobility Services.

On the night we had great numbers in attendance, coming from all over the country

From here, Stephen contacted AIB and Land Mobility Services and organised our two guest speakers for the night. Having booked this event almost a month in advance, it gave us plenty of time to promote it through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and locally through newspapers and shops.

On the night we had great numbers in attendance, coming from all over the country. Topics of discussion included farm succession and collaborative farming, land leasing, milk sharing and seeking finance. It was a great night with plenty of questions and positive feedback.

It was the first of many events that Limerick YFDG will hold throughout the year. By asking our members what interests them, it has made our jobs easier for facilitating future events. For our upcoming events, please follow our social media accounts @limerickyfdg on Facebook and Instagram.