Posted on 4th February 2021News
Back to all news & resources >
Since I last spoke to you, we have celebrated Christmas, which for many was safe but not energising or as fulfilling as we would of wanted after a tough year. We all went through the New Year’s Eve process, which for many was a relief to kick the Year 2020 out the house but did anything change on 1st January 2021? We are still living with the enormity of being locked in, not seeing loved ones or extended families, friends and our work colleagues, the weight and the reality of limited physical contact being carried daily.
I don’t know if you are thinking the same but I have noticed an overwhelming surge in top tips, how to get better at baking, PE master classes, how to stay motivated, how to relax, how to home school, how to walk the dog, the list seems endless on social media and the pressure to follow also feels relentless. I decided within my blog for SYLO to reflect the enormity of questions which are being raised by our clients, about themselves and their teams, within counselling sessions right now and thought it may help others who are wondering: “what is everyone else thinking or saying?”;
How many of the questions can you resonate with? I am very certain, you will have more of your own questions to add. There is no right or wrong way to think or feel, we are all feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the continuing process of COVID-19 . We feel the control of lockdown, day after day and living with the prospect of only small changes over the coming weeks. Over the coming months, our families still need to function daily within different and at times, complex working structures. We need to earn money to pay the bills, relationships feeling strained or breaking around us, home working becoming harder to manage and contain, still worrying about our parents, carers and many people who are alone, the lethargy of the same routines, they are just a few of the areas which we are feeling the most pressure.
Acknowledgement of w
hat you are thinking and feeling is key to processing some of the emotions, it is OK to feel sad, happy or angry. Show you care by supporting each other, sharing a cuppa whilst catching up online, picking up the phone to a friend or loved one, hugging a grumpy child. All of those actions can help but so can some time on your own, space to feel, space to think, space to breathe and space for your own selfcare. Be kind to yourself, change is coming and we will need to be mentally ready to embrace a new normal.
Remember to give yourself permission, in a blog just before Christmas, I stated ‘to understand yourself doesn’t mean you’re selfish, it’s the care that’s required to support your own well-being and others around you’. Selfcare starts with you, you have my permission to be brave and start sharing how you feel and think right now.
Blog written by Clare Sandman – Placement Psychotherapist for SYLO
If you need professional support, for you or your team, SYLO | Beyond HR offers a confidential counselling service, contact us on: 01844 216290 or enquires@sylobeyondhr.com and we can provide the options that are right for you and your employees.
15th April 2026Articles
Salary benchmarking helps businesses make fair, informed pay decisions. Discover why it matters, how often to review it, and how to manage pay conversations with confidence.
22nd March 2026Articles
Preventing workplace stress starts with early action. Learn how organisations can spot warning signs, support managers and stop stress escalating in the workplace.
16th March 2026Articles
Managing annual leave and bank holidays can be challenging for SMEs. Discover practical tips for balancing employee requests with operational needs.
18th February 2026Articles
Blended learning often fails not because of poor content, but because it doesn’t change behaviour. This article explores why leadership capability, confidence and judgement matter more than completion rates.
12th February 2026Articles
Blended learning often fails not because of poor content, but because it doesn’t change behaviour. This article explores why leadership capability, confidence and judgement matter more than completion rates.
4th February 2026Articles
Health and safety failures are people failures wearing a compliance mask Most health and safety […]
Stay informed and up to date with our latest webinars and events. Join us for expert insights, practical advice, and discussions on the topics that matter most.
Want to learn more about our services or discuss your people needs? Use the form below to contact us and we’ll get back to you promptly.
