Freelance Writer and Editor
“Inside us, there is a steep mountain of fear and a deep river of grief,” writes Haemin Sumin in his beautifully illustrated heartwarming bestseller, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down. These words never felt more authentic and precious than two years ago—that deep river of grief overflowed in November 2022 when…
If you are feeling anxious, frustrated or visibly stressed during the current pandemic-induced circumstances, you are not alone. But you can, however, take small steps to improve the quality of life and restore balance in times of distress. Banish the Viral Fear and Panic Forget about fear. You see, fear is persuasive, and panic easily goes…
Some life lessons I learned, more often than not the hard way, in my thirty-five years of being on this planet. Words have immense power. They can uplift and inspire, threaten or destroy. Choose your words well. Or, as they say, think before you speak. It could mean the world to someone or crash…
Day 21 – Thursday, 16 April On the last day of the initial decreed quarantine of twenty-one days, the weather starts to turn for the better, announcing a pleasant weekend ahead, meaning outdoor braais, alfresco lunches and sun lounging on the patio. I publish two more blogs in the lockdown journal series, reminiscing about the…
Day 20 – Wednesday, 15 April Back to work. I write and publish three more blog posts as part of my daily lockdown journal. It’s turning out to be productive writing time, although remembering difficult times is perhaps not the best use of time. However, writing does help to acknowledge the past and move on….
Day 19 – Tuesday, 14 April These days I am looking forward to my weekly outing to the supermarket and pharmacy – the only stores open during the first phase of the lockdown. My main goal each day is shifting towards fighting boredom and routine – and a short walk out of home every week….
Day 18 – Monday, 13 April It’s the beginning of another working week in quarantine. It would have been the last days in confinement – were it not for the extended lockdown announcement. Urgh. I don’t have any issue staying at home; in fact, I love spending time at home with a great book and…
Day 17 – Sunday, 12 April Easter Sunday in South Africa. I can’t pinpoint a specific local Easter tradition during these holidays, aside from the ever-present meat braai (barbeque), perhaps with the addition of the leg or rack of lamb – lamb being a favourite dish worldwide to celebrate the festivities. But today I will…
Day 16 – Saturday, 11 April Weekends in the Oosthuizen home have become entirely predictable. If it’s a sunny weekend, it’s lounging on camping chairs under the sun umbrella, book in hand, feet stretched out to catch the rays in the hope of a post-summer tan. And, of course, being interrupted at intervals by a…
Day 15 – Friday, 10 April It’s Good Friday in South Africa – the Friday before the holy Easter weekend. It doesn’t feel so good, sadly, for my spirits. I have to contend with some bad news. Heartbreak, melancholy, denial, anger, frustration. I go through all stages, tears and all. There’s no easy way to…