Quickening

Sometimes in a conversation, a word arises that captures its essence perfectly.

Yesterday was such a day, when in a conversation about what we were noticing, the common theme was that we seemed to be seeing is activity becoming a little more frantic, and a word emerged. Quickening. Perfect. "She quickened her pace, desperate to escape"; "her interest quickened".....

That's what we were noticing. People quickening in anticipation of something, but what? Easing of lockdown? The dangers inherent in it? What work would really look like? A return to the office routine? All of those I think, and more, some felt but unarticulated. Certainly a sense of preparation.

One of the features of the last year has been a reality of more available time for many. Less commuting, furlough, flexible working. What we have done with that time has been a choice - some chose to fill the day with meetings either for themselves, or for others, in an unfounded fear that somehow not being "seen" or physically presen…