A new rhythm to life - 100 card challenge
Finding a new rhythm to life
it is 100 days to 1st January 2022
and 66 days since lock-down restrictions were lifted 
For my birthday this year my closest friend presented me with a fantastic gift - 100 postcards by 10 artist. I was immediately transported back to my lock-down one teatime postcard project, which involved the sending of 100 cards, and this prompted the evolution of a new project. This one designed to help me navigate a new rhythm to life, post covid lock-downs, and working from home and living alone for 18 months. So each day, over tea, I will write and send a postcard to recipients of the first postcard project, to find out how they are doing after 18 very challenging months.
Let us see what designs emerge and what stories are revealed...
Dear recipient - I really want to know how you are now, so please be kind enough to share with each other your answers to the following questions, by placing them in the comment box at the end of the page (you may have to scroll down a long way as the project gets going.)
1: Describe your covid experience/journey in 5 words?
2: Did you have time to learn a new skill?
3: What do you remember most?
4: When was the most difficult time for you?
5: What have you learned about yourself?
6: Revisit the 4pm tea project (lockdown 1) find your cards and give yourself a moment to reflect on all you have achieved, endured, manages, survived over the last 18 months...
Postcard no 1
artist Sonia Cavallini
recipient of cards 1 & 57 of the original project
Postcard no 2
artist Nour Flayhan
"in Kuwait during spring the desert is in full bloom with these little yellow jewels. I used to call them sun kisses & pick them, tucking them into my curls"
recipient of cards 2 & 58 of the original project
Postcard no 3
artist Carolyn Gavin
Leaving the card behind as I took my 4pm tea with accompanying birthday (cat) biscuit, separate photos mark the card for recipient of cards 14 & 72 of the original project
Postcard no 4
artist Jen Hewett
sent to recipient of cards 14 & 72 of the original project
Postcard no 5
artist Sam Kalda
Postcard no 6
artist Mare Martin
Postcard no 7
artist Angela McKay
Postcard no 8
artist Clover Robin
sent to recipient of cards 8 & 73 of the original project
Postcard no 9
artist Wies van der Velde
Postcard no 10
artist Rose Wong
Postcard 11
artist Sonia Cavallini
sent to recipient of cards 11 & 46 of the original project
Postcard 12
artist Nour Flayhan
to the right address this time...
Postcard 13
artist Carolyn Gavin
sent to recipient of card 13 of the original project
Postcard 14
artist Jen Hewett
some recipients of these cards have contributed their stories...
Postcard 15
artist Sam Kalda
Postcard 16
artist Marc Martin
Postcard no 17
artist Angela McKay
Postcard no 18
artists Clover Robin
sent to someone who I didn't have contact with during project one, but I do now and I am very glad to have reconnected...
Postcard no 19
artist Wies van der Velde
Postcard 20
artist Rose Weng
sent to recipient 28 & 96 of the original project
Postcard no 21
artist Cavallini
sent to recipient 30 & 95 of the original project
Postcard 22
artist Nour Fleyhan
sent to recipient 31 of the original project
i forgot to take a picture but the postcard was in the same style is this one
Postcard 23
artist Carolyn Gavin
sent to recipient of cards 33 & 86 of the original project
Postcard 24
artist Jan Hewett
Postcard 25
artist Sam Kalda
Postcard 26
artist Marc Martin
Builders are in to sort out the floor so the book in which this information is stored is packed away in a draw I cannot reach... i will fill in the blanks in due course...
also this week I am away doing some research data collection so I will catch up when back. Over the week I will also be catching up socially with a good many people... I am having to pack proper clothes... I am not sure I have gone more than a couple of days in succession wearing 'outdoor work clothes' for almost 20 months !!!! It is time.....
Postcard 27
artist Angela McKay 
sent to the recipient of card 41 & 85 of the original project
Postcard 28
artists Clover Robin 
Postcard 29
artist Wies van der Velde 
Postcard 30
artist Rose Weng 
Postcard no 31
artist Sonia Cavallini
afternoon tea from bed, healing a body that has shut down!!!
Postcard 32
artist Nour Fleyhan
Postcard 33
artist Carolyn Gavin
Postcard 34
artists Jan Hewett
lost my mojo with this, caught up with the lack of responses rather than the process of sending .....
Postcard 35
artists Sam Kalda
Postcard 36
artist Marc Martin
sent to the recipient of card 53 of the original project
Postcard 37
artist Angela McKay
sent to the recipient of card 42 of the original project
Postcard 38
artist Clover Robin
sent to the recipient of card 19 & 75 of the original project
Postcard 39
sent to a new recipient - reconnected with over this period over tea in Suffolk
Postcard 40
sent to a new recipient - reconnected with over this period
tea over research
and then somehow the rhythm of life ran away with me - and I think recipients too which perhaps contributed to the few responses... not to be deterred, or realising that I missed composing photos with cards and tea cups and my environment, this project evolves into "Tea Time Thank You's"
One final card because I love the picture ... this has not been sent, but will the first card sent in the new project .....
Christmas Eve - the day before my Suffolk Shingle Street adventure... farewell from here and onto new adventures in tea...
1. Rest, opportunity, disappointment, stressed, freedom.
ReplyDelete2. I had time to put my sewing machine and ridiculous amount of fat quarters to use to make pencil cases, book cushions, shopping bags, bunting and bookmarks.
3. In the first lockdown I remember the family time, nice weather and our long canal walks/bike rides.
4. The homeschooling was difficult when my husband was on video calls and I had to try and keep two young boys quiet, especially when they didn't want their mother as their teacher! But I did enjoy the English and drama lessons.
5. I have learnt how, despite going through a pandemic, I am extremely fortunate and can always make the most of my time. Also, I don't like rules and restrictions.
Postcard 12
ReplyDeleteCurious, alarmed, resigned, determined, practical.
I learned it's easier to want to learn a new skill than it is to take up the challenge of actually doing so .
Remember mostly feeling secure that I was in a place with people I loved and trusted.And being glad I could in turn ensure they were cared for.
However I suspect that any anxiety brought on by the restrictions is only surfacing now, leaving me feeling slightly overwhelmed, even though I dearly want to return to normal routines and activities. I'm taking it slowly
Jane Farrow, 28/10/21
ReplyDeleteScared, Lonely, Gluttonous, Awakened, Resilient
I learned what was important in life and genuinely 'saw the light' which led to me making some huge (and very difficult) life changes.
I spent a lot of time making plans for the future - and also looking at of my Dad's old photos, which was very comforting.
I remember thinking that time went very slowly. I was desperate to see my daughters.
It was very difficult living with a man who I didn't want to be with and Lockdown made it even worse. I learned to withdraw into myself and read a lot of books!
I've learned that I can do anything and to enjoy my own company. I also learned that my friends and daughters were more important to me than anything else. I have since made huge changes to my life and am finally happy!
Postcard 21
ReplyDelete1 - Lifechanging, discombobulating, mind-blowing, liberating and freeing
2 - Well, I got a Kalimba (African Thumb piano), and I have done a teeny bit of playing it but not much, yet! Oh I guess another one would be I did my first speech in front of a crowd using a mic, so I'll go with that one, which was scary and rewarding and a host of other things too.
3 - My entire world turning upside down, inside out and back to front/front to back.
4 - Probably the first 6 months last year when I had no school, lost a huge amount of support, a much loved teacher at my sons school tragically took his own life shortly followed by the lovely small school that was very dear to my heart closing it's doors for good, covid restrictions finished it off. Oh and a mum friend of mine in her 40's passing away with cancer then an hour later hearing my brother in law had died quite suddenly.
5 - Oh my gosh how to possibly sum that up! Too much to mention here but an awful lot, and things that have changed me in such a massive way and nothing will never be the same again. Excuse the drama but no other way to put it!
6 - Aw, thank you ❤
ReplyDelete1: Describe your covid experience/journey in 5 words?
An anxious, altruistic, restful, resilient Corona-coaster of emotion.
2: Did you have time to learn a new skill?
I trained with St Johns Ambulance to become a vaccinator so I felt like I had a purpose- that was a lot of new learning in biology and public health. I learned how to use and edit on a green screen which I enjoyed. I learned a lot about dog training after getting a puppy in Jan 2020 which in turn helped me to become a lot more patient. But the best thing I learned was saying NO to jobs/work offers that I didn't enjoy, and learning to say NO when things got too much. NO is a very empowering word!
3: What do you remember most?
The people that helped me through a very difficult time. Friends, neighbours and colleagues that went out of their way to make everything better. My partner's parents who helped us with rent payments, friends who took the time to talk, Tonic Music for Mental Health who were there on the phone several times when things got super tough, my friend Cathy who spent days helping us with arts council applications, my accountant who campaigned tirelessly to try and get us funding/furlough/financial help, and an old friend who sent several veg boxes :) Thank you.
4: When was the most difficult time for you?
Navigating the financial aspect of the pandemic. I was not prepared for the amount of stress and heartache when falling through all the cracks of any support the government was offering. If it hadn't have been for my partners parents, we would have lost our flat. I have always been a very independent person, and it was the first time I had to accept financial help from others and I also found that aspect difficult too.
5: What have you learned about yourself?
That to feel fulfilled I don't have to be busy all the God-damned time. A day off isn't being 'lazy'.
6: Revisit the 4pm tea project (lockdown 1) find your cards and give yourself a moment to reflect on all you have achieved, endured, manages, survived over the last 18 months...
I will! Thank you for including me in your lovely project Dennie <3