An Introduction: A Universal Shove In The Right Direction

How COVID-19 opens up opportunities to a new way of life

It came today — this furlough thing. Until a few weeks ago I, like many, had never heard of the word and certainly had no idea of what it entailed.

In truth, I’ve been expecting it. My logical brain says, “of course it’s what the Company should do!” But what about me? Where do I fit in all this?

Where do I go from here? How do I overcome this rather anxious feeling that has settled in my gut? The questions keep tumbling about in my head. I am nervous about what the future holds and my place within it.

Hi, I’m Helen and I have spent the last few years of my life employed within the real estate world. It’s a world I first started into fresh from college and have returned to in later years.

The beginning of the year saw me start with a new company based here in Town. From the moment of joining, the job has been a whirl — of being dropped into the deep end; of grappling with new systems; of settling into camaraderie with a new bunch of colleagues.

Life has been busy and tiring — there has been no opportunity to think of anything more than getting up, going to work, coming home, going to bed.

This new job was supposed to be giving me a little more time for myself, to follow through on one or two ideas I had for my future, but it didn’t seem to be panning out quite as I had intended, even before the beginning of March!

“The house of every one is to him as his Castle and Fortress as well for defence against injury and violence, as for his repose”

I love finding someone the right home — after all, everyone’s home is his castle, as Sir Edward Coke stated.

Sir Edward was an English judge making a ruling on a case known as Semayne’s Case. In the case of murder, be it by defense, intent or misfortune, it is a criminal offense. The murderer has to open his door to the Sheriff and forfeit his goods and chattels, including his house.

If, however, in the defense of his home, burglars wind up dead, the homeowner has nothing to answer to. At least, that was the ruling back in 1604.

The homes I have sold over the years have been magnificent — each one special and interesting in its own way. From very small ones to large sprawling dwellings; with sea views, to rural views, to no views at all; from brand new to as old as Sir Edward’s ruling, I’ve enjoyed them all.

It seems rather apt that we have conveniently forgotten the part about the castle being the defense against injury and violence. Today most of the world is using his home, or castle, as a bastion against a virulent marauder — Coronavirus.

I am sad that I will be unable to bring Cornish properties to the market for the next few months. Furloughing means that I am still employed by the company, but no longer working for them. A very strange situation to be in. A crossroads of sorts, where I can choose to look on the bright side or choose to be depressed and angry at something I can’t control.

I confess to being an optimist at the best of times, and this situation is no different.

I get to try out how it would be to be a freelance writer. To see if my long-held dream to start a writing business could come true.

My original dreams have been to do “something” from home. Work from home sounds ideal for someone like me! I like my own company, am definitely looking for time freedom, and want to be able to indulge my creative mind.

With the help of a mentor, JeffHerring.com, I’ve cast a light into the depths of why I’ve been playing small, afraid to take the steps; the ‘what if’s’ mounting so high they’ve hidden the path in front of me.

From now on I’m going to be brave, stop overthinking and take each step as it comes. I can only see as far as the light beam shows me, but it gives me enough light to see the way ahead.

The Universe, it seems, has gifted me a whopping great chance to dedicate my time over the next couple of months to indulge my creativity — to invest in my future.

I’ve had a taste of what it might be like to work from home and I like what I have found! It’s up to me now to create my reality and make it happen.

I invite you to follow me, Helen Boss and my fellow writers on Illumination, a new publication within Medium, designed to encourage writers to produce outstanding articles from diverse domains and disciplines; to create fusion and synergy. Above all, to support other writers on their path to a new way of life.