Something struck me in the past week and I just have to put pen to paper as I consider its implications…It came to mind because Ireland has had a substantial snowfall for the first time in years. We were alerted to the upcoming ‘Storm Emma’ thanks to the excellent work of Met Eireann and their Status Red weather alert.
People were advised to stay indoors and we found ourselves snowed in for a few days.
On the 1st of March, the first day of the snow, a radio station played Christmas songs all day long and we sang along. We had a full Christmas dinner – my first Christmas dinner in March! We sat and talked. We went for a country walk. We played Scrabble. It was lovely… it was bonus family time… or so I thought!

Since then I have spoken to quite a few people and I have been… well, I’ll admit it… shocked with the response I’ve got.
When I asked how they found/got through the snow days the invariable response was “Oh I had cabin fever” or “I couldn’t wait to get back to work” or “I never realised getting out shopping to the supermarket was such a luxury” or “We ran out of things to talk about.”
I started to question myself! Am I strange in that I enjoyed so much down time? Am I unusual, being content at home spending time with my family?
Has a psychosocial expectation taken us over? Has it become the norm to have to be busy all the time? Is it important to be seen to be rushing about and time strapped? Has consumerism sucked everybody in to the extent that we can’t avoid the shops for more than a day or two? Have we lost the skills of conversation? Have we lost the ability to be still? to just ‘be?’
Please feel free to share your opinions with me, help me broaden my perspective!
Much love,
Marie xx
March 8, 2018 at 1:58 am
We had a snowstorm today and we were also snowbound. I truly enjoy my downtime. I want more of it! But know of others who goes bonkers being home. They don’t know what to do with themselves.
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March 8, 2018 at 2:55 pm
I hope ye had advance notice and were well prepared. Enjoy your downtime and thanks for responding!
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March 8, 2018 at 3:16 am
Yes, western society has lost the art of ‘being’….
Thoughtful reflection & conversation is scary to many!
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March 8, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Thanks Jennifer, very insightful! What I wonder have they to be scared of?!
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March 9, 2018 at 3:25 am
Their own issues that are not being addressed. It’s easier to keep busy than face & work on personal issues …
Busyness is the greatest procrastination of all, it deflects & diverts us from doing the hard yards in one’s thoughts, relationships & life.
Food for thought isn’t it!
Comes from professional experience 😉
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March 9, 2018 at 8:52 am
Running from…rather than dealing with! I’m amazed at how many people always have to be seen to be or saying how busy they are! Great insight as to why!
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March 8, 2018 at 8:26 am
In my case there are difficulties balancing my wife’s approach to such things with my own. Susan was unable to get to work last week but I was. She was bored alone at home. Whereas I looked at her situation – alone in a warm room with the stove, books and CD player and art supplies and thought her week sounded idyllic!
If everyone in a house is happy to converse, play board games, whatever – then fine. Personally I feel tense if cooped up all day with other people and would not be happy. Snowed in alone would suit me just fine.
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March 8, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Thank you Darren! I really appreciate your explanation and it helps me see just how different we all are and how different our needs are. What sounds like bliss to one could be stressful to another!
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March 8, 2018 at 2:45 pm
I love being snowed in so I’m happy with that scenario. There’s something wonderful about not having to be someplace or do something every once in awhile. It’s like a winter wonderland reset button!
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March 8, 2018 at 3:04 pm
I love that idea…a winter wonderland reset button!
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March 8, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Perfect! ♥
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March 9, 2018 at 10:08 am
nice one awesome, thanks for sharing with us
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March 9, 2018 at 10:16 am
Thank you for your visit and taking time to respond. I’m so glad it resonated with you…check out the other responses, they helped widen my perspective and remind me of the importance of being non-judgemental. Have a memorable day!
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March 10, 2018 at 11:29 am
I think you nailed it! We had a snowstorm here last Monday and I think the general feeling was Enough, we are ready for Spring! But thats a lot different than not allowing oneself to, enjoy the moment, just be and take a day to rest. Not any new insight since it sounds like we are like-minded. 😊
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March 10, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Thank you for visiting and for your positive feedback, glad it resonated with you. Another ‘just be’ fan…welcome on board!!
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March 16, 2018 at 8:30 am
Nice post, Marie! I do believe “we” (generally speaking) have lost the ability to slow down. We have also passed that inability on. A wonderful gift to give our children is the capacity to slow down without guilt and to relax. There is a fine balance of working hard and slowing down. But, appreciating the moments of each day and the people in it is important. We ususally don’t realize how much so until we are older. =) I LOVE the Christmas dinner in March!!
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March 16, 2018 at 8:36 am
Thanks Brenda! I agree with what you say and think it’s funny how long it takes us to learn the true value of life and how it’s not something that we are taught as part of our education. Homes do it indirectly but it could be more explicit…am I explaining it correctly?… does that make sense?
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March 16, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Yes, you explained it well! We need to be, as a community and in our educational system, more intentional in encouraging balance! =)
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March 16, 2018 at 3:05 pm
I agree totally…life/work balance is not discudded enough. Thanks Brenda for visiting.
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March 17, 2018 at 3:59 pm
Brenda…apologies that should of course read ‘discuSSed’!!
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March 19, 2018 at 5:12 am
No need (hehe) I knew what you meant! =)
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