Akosua Edwards on how she keeps grounded

Despite the negative effects of covid19, social media is overflowing with posts from people using this quiet time in an enriching way. There are posts about people now being able to spend more time with family, in the garden, building furniture and reconnecting to things they enjoy doing most.

These activities seem more possible now that the typical day-to-day obligations of modern living have been slowed. Author, speaker, gender specialist and founder of the Nina Young Women's Leadership Programme Akosua Dardaine Edwards said she has been making the best use of the change in her daily pace.

The Nina Young Women’s Leadership Programme focuses on the empowerment of women and girls, operating in communities and schools.

Newsday: How are you feeling about the spread of the covid19 pandemic? Is it scary for you?

Akosua: The covid19 pandemic initially raised feelings of fear and helplessness, particularly after it hit the shores of TT. The number of people contracting the virus and deaths made it real.

Then, with us having to shift the way we work and live. I have now accepted that whilst I did experience feelings of fear initially, I can now choose to use that same energy to remain positive. I have been maintaining my faith in a higher power that guides me. I seek to assist others in whatever way that I can to flatten the curve and contribute to some type of community effort.

Newsday: Have you experienced a major change to your daily routine?

Akosua: My daily routine has shifted and been disrupted. Usually, I would. at least three days a week, run outdoors or exercise outdoors. On a Sunday I would drive out of the city to do a hike. That has changed. I also travel abroad quite a bit and that, for sure, is out until further notice. I now also have to cook.

Newsday: Is there anything you have been able to do now that you didn’t have the time to do before?

Akosua: Now I can truly rest. Proper rest without worrying about deadlines and flights. I can spend more time reading leisurely. My morning meditations are now guilt-free. I am now able to catch up on webinars that I parked up for the proverbial one day soon.

I am truly liking this part of being inside. Learning new things and having more regular conversation with family members, much more than usual, has been pleasant.

Newsday: Do you think you will be able to maintain some of these practices if things go back to an increased pace?

Akosua: I am committed to making a deliberate choice to create a new normal. I think there are always opportunities in a crisis for us to reset, reflect and retool ourselves so when we emerge on the other side we individually become a better version of ourselves.

If we all do it, the entire world will have become a better place. I will commit to the guilt-free meditation and the cooking (some days at least), while being kinder to others through my actions.

Newsday: What do you hope others will take from this time of silence?

Akosua: I hope that we see each other. I hope will remember we are all connected so that we are mindful of our actions. I also pray we will remember the opportunities we created for a more fulfilling life during this time. I hope we remember we don't need crises for us to do things differently. For example, home schooling, growing our food at home, taking time to rest and reset and just doing nothing – just being present in nature and life. Not living in a hurry.

My other hope is that we will bear in mind how possible it is to make amazing new changes if we work as a collective.