Danielle Fatzinger (@bonniecelt) is the current PGR Office Intern and in the third year of her PhD in Celtic & Gaelic, studying late-seventeenth century Gaelic manuscripts written in Kintyre, Argyll, their scribe, and his patrons. In this post, she seeks out examples of kindness and pulls together some places to find heartwarming and positive stories from our own community and around the world. 

When things are at their most stressful, it can be difficult to find the good things. This applies to the normal stresses of finances, work, personal relationships, etc. In this moment, when the situation includes a pandemic and circumstances are changing by the day, that can be even more true. There are government updates, social media and conversation filled with virus discussion, and adapting to being home. For many of us, we’re not just worrying about ourselves: we have children, parents, partners, and other relatives, friends, and neighbours that need our attention more than usual. Some people need to manage existing mental and physical illnesses. Some may no longer have access to their normal stress-relief activities. 

It’s all a little bit...much. 

But at times like these it’s important to seek out the kindnesses and the communities that are being built and expanded. Once adjustments are made to being at home, and you’ve had some time to feel the emotions that come with life being changed drastically, notice the things people are doing for each other and the ways we’re all keeping on, together. 

This post is dedicated to some of these things. 

Glasgow Mutual Aid 

Glasgow Coronavirus Mutual Aid is a grassroots group that has been set up for people to be able to help their neighbours. Those who can go to shops, walk dogs, help with childcare, check-in, and more can volunteer to help local self-isolating individuals or families in need. If it’s something you’d be interested in, you can volunteer to join them (including with administrative/coordination help). 

#KindnessPandemic 

A Facebook Group calls The Kindness Pandemic spread into a hashtag and now these are places to go to find heartwarming stories of people helping people from around the world. This includes personal anecdotes and news stories. There is a sewing community helping with mask shortages, kids leaving thank you notes at supermarkets, and neighbours checking on (and baking for) neighbours. 

It’s a lot of warmth and positivity, all in one place: a good stop for a pick-me-up. 

#QuaranTeamUofG 

It’s another hashtag because social media has been busy-busy lately, but this one is specific to UofG. It’s full of people from our own community sharing their lives in this work-from-home, study-from-home, research-from-home environment.  

There are #mugoftheday posts, resources, pet pictures, working spaces, and more!  

The Little Things 

Being inside with the same people all day, every day can strain even the best relationships, so it can be good to step back and focus on the little things. For me, that’s checking in on some friends/family and providing emotional support (most of them are across an ocean, so that’s the main type of support I can offer). It’s also learning to play Magic: The Gathering with my partner because he no longer has his weekly friend meetups to play it.  

I stop throughout the day and try to remember these sorts of good things, the little bits I can do and that others do for me, to remember the kindness in my life. 

This will be easier for some people than others, but I think it’s a worthwhile exercise. 

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What kindnesses have you seen or experienced? Where else can people go for heartwarming and positive stories? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter or Instagram @UofG_PGRblog.