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From Dave Tomlinson, writer and vicar at large:Ìý
I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but the lockdown turned me into a shed person. No, not in that blokey way; I can’t stand all that ‘getting away from her indoors’ stuff – in fact, Pat and I spend hours together, happily sipping tea (and a wee bit more) on our humble shed veranda. When we moved into this house two years ago the shed was a charming feature but over the past three months it’s transformed into an essential creative den where I can think, plan, write – and oddly enough, entertain hundreds of people and preach sermons through the wonders of technology and social media.Ìý
I am essentially a gregarious person – a party beast, never happier than when surrounded by friends (or strangers): laughing, having fun, and best of all, engrossed in passionate conversation. But I’ve always known there was another side to me that went back to childhood when I loved to build dens and hideaways where no one could find me. And now, with a shed close enough to the house to benefit from wi-fi, I’ve discovered I can go some way to having the best of both worlds. Of course, there is no substitute for physical presence. As many of us have doubtless discovered over recent weeks, online parties have severe limitations. A friend who initially launched enthusiastically into regular online drinks times with friends told me last week that he’d given up on them and now just longed for face-to-face parties. I’m with him, there.Ìý
However, I have also noticed that the combination of required solitude in lockdown and the simple gift of a shed have made me more aware of my unhelpful tendency to use crowds as a way of avoiding challenging thoughts that I really need to confront…or of seeking affirmation from others instead of looking to find it within. I’ve come to love my shed, although I’m unlikely to become a hermit anytime soon. But then I reckon, ‘shed-ness’ is really a state of mind that we can adopt anywhere – creating space to enjoy our own company, to see life in perspective, to acknowledge that anxiety mostly gets us nowhere, to think (or pray) good thoughts for ourselves and others, to approach life with a smile… Happy shedding everyone!