'ALOHOMORA' your hearts to this necessary inspiration

Expecto a magical message can-collegers! This news may have lumosed your life already, but obliviate it! I am here to tell you again because well… I am about to burst with excitement.

J.K Rowling, we raise our wands to your wonderful new plan, which will allow you to accio some Hogwarts’ magic all around the globe, alohomora-ing the doors of our homes during this lock-down and sending us muggles into a tizzy.

Her new digital hub Harry Potter At Home will feature some magical "information and activities for children, parents and carers" which will be of particular spellbinding use at this tricky time.

Doesn’t this sound riddikulusly amazing?

So, in keeping with this enchanting energy, which is zooming around the world faster than Harry Potter himself on a Firebolt, here are some of the best tips the Harry Potter series has given us, which will provide you with some necessary inspiration during this difficult time.

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” - Albus Dumbledore

So, lock down sucks more than vomiting up a load of slugs, doesn't it Ron? Everyday is blurring into the same type of dullness, and it feels dreadful to have to stay away from your family and friends at such a testing time.

But, Albus Dumbledore is nearly always right. Try and focus on some of the positives in your life at the moment, because they are there. Whether you are enjoying a particular Netflix show, or you are getting to spend a mammoth amount of time with your dog, or you are finally allowed to sleep past 9am, embrace it. Inhale all those bright and airy feelings, and exhale your instinctual negativity as best you can. In other words, be like Dumbledore.

“I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading.” -Hermione Granger

Attention class, your assignment for the week is to THINK LIKE HERMIONE! Use the valuable gift of time to catch up on some good 'ole college work, or how about you devote yourself to that novel you’ve been meaning to read since Christmas?

It’ll pass the time, but most importantly, it will get your brain whirling, keeping it fresh for when we eventually make it through this hell. Don’t forget about all those audio books out there too! They are all available at the touch of a 'listen' button.

“I’m hoping to do some good in the world!" - Hermione Granger

This is a challenging time for everyone, but for some, it is even harder. Although we are restricted in where we can go, and what we can physically do at the moment, it’s the things we can do that are of most benefit. Maybe you have an elderly neighbour that might need a bit of shopping, or might just want someone to have a natter with on the phone.

Helping others has not been cancelled.

“My parents don’t read the Daily Prophet. Rita Skeeter can’t scare me into hiding!”- Hermione Granger

Ah, fake news. Something that a young journalist student like me is well acquainted with. In this instance, let us consider the Daily Prophet as a metaphor for the numerous amounts of fake news articles about COVID19 that are on the loose at this very moment. They are nearly a virus in themselves.

So, take your quill and write down this 'note to self': Consume your news from reliable national and local sources, and pay special attention to the HSE website for any extra advice. Don’t pay attention to the Rita Skeeter fake-newsers of the world. Trust me, they are just looking to sell a story.

“Right. Perspective”

Hermione Granger said this in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and it has never been so applicable to a situation as it is now. Let’s think like Hermione, shall we? And put this lock-down into some sort of perspective.

It will not last forever. It is arguably one of the most difficult things we will face in our lives, but it can be overcome if we work together to slow down the spread of this virus and minimise the impact it will have as best we can.

The world will carry on spinning after this. Keep the faith.

“Maybe you don’t have to do this all by yourself, mate.” - Ron Weasley

Ah Ronald, you have some shrewd one liners, and this one applies so perfectly to the current COVID19 catastrophe we have found ourselves in. Nobody is alone, especially right now. We may be apart, but we are all still together at heart.

Remember that wonderful thing called the internet? Now is when we need it most, so keep video calling your family and friends, or send an owl. It's all in your hands.

Stay HOME muggles, and don't forget to take care of yourselves

Much love

-V

If you need support during this difficult time, always remember that you are not alone. Samaritans are available to listen on 116 123