by Sarah Tolmie
Forgive me. It’s the first article for 2021 and I can’t NOT mention my relief – thank goodness – 2020 is over. What a year! So many sacrifices and losses and hardships.
As we begin the New Year, as is my usual habit, I do my gratitudes and give thanks. Even with the ‘annus horriblis’ to quote the Queen, that 2020 was, there was still much to be thankful for, not least of which, technology.
If ever there was a time and a need for technology to prove its value, it took a global pandemic to demonstrate the positive power of technology keep us connected, amused, sane and well.
Through necessity, 2020 dragged many previously laggard and recalcitrant family members and technophobes over the line and out of comfort zones onto the internet, using their smart phones, joining What’s App groups, immersing in Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok or navigating Zoom and Facetime and Skype, and even switching effortlessly between Netflix and the many streaming services.
Now I am sure the resident family ‘tech support’ – it’s my husband in our household – might have been tested to all edges of patience giving phone support, but once the steep learning curves found a workable plateau, the beautiful ‘gold vein’ of technology working for the good and betterment of humanity was beheld, and it was a beautiful thing.
Even I broadened my horizons, embracing Twitter with a second chance glance, and finding a new world of opinion, news and analysis. It’s actually quite funny you know. And for every troll, there are many many more affirmations of support and solidarity and encouragement.
My mum in particularly found a surprising new community experience. During the pandemic many of her usual groups that once met in person – bowling group, walking groups, yoga gals and theatre groups – transitioned to digital groups using the technology of Whats App. This conversational thread became an important source of information, support and kindness that has continued to augment their face to face encounters once restrictions were eased and they returned to almost ‘new normal’ schedules.
When someone in the group recently fell over with an injury, the Whats App group conversation became the real time telegraph for getting help, sending messages of support and coordinating food drop offs and lifts to appointments.
For those already isolated by immobility and ill health, the pandemic put all of us on an even playing field and activated a new empathy for their plight. This has resulted in many reaching out more inclusively, with a greater compassion, and hopefully that will remain as a permanent side effect. The signs are good that this greater awareness and effort to create sustain and maintain these new rituals of connection will continue, be that a family weekly zoom call or dinner, a Facetime chat or online scrabble and chess tournaments.
The benefit of reach and accessibility has enabled many to do things they would never before had known or contemplated. Take for example the online explosion of the “Pub Choir” story – an entertainment experience that took being in a choir into pubs – during the pandemic it transitioned to “couch choir”. Each participant had to video record their selves singing their part and then it was edited into a full choir ensemble video clip. They more than doubled participation and it went from a localised event to a global phenomenon, attracting delighted participants who would have NEVER done that before! How fabulous!
And let’s give a shout out to the marvels of tele-health which has forever changed the reach and potential to provide care – both for physical and mental health conditions – far and wide and affordably.
Of course nothing can replace or fully compare to human contact and connection, but great steps forwards have been achieved that now provide new choices and accessibility to keep people in healthy relationship and community.
As we move into 2021 with times still uncertain as outbreaks may continue to test our togetherness and free movement, let’s give a deserved cheer to technology and all those who have persevered and leaned into its great use, to become a integral part of our family and community lives.
And let’s continue to be a part of our virtual communities and give each other a big virtual hug.
Sarah Tolmie assists people to celebrate, navigate, grow and heal through all their life & love transitions. Her practice focuses on love & relationships, families & children; life success & fulfilment, illness, death & grief. As an Holistic Celebrant Sarah creates profound and meaningful ceremonies for all life & love events. Sarah is also a Marriage Therapist, Bespoke Funeral Director and End-of-Life Consultant. You can visit her website www.sarahtolmie.com.au and Facebook page at Sarah Tolmie – Life & Love.