Joyce Fegan: Recognising painful feelings is not an act of self-pity

No one's pain is unique, it might be different but it is not unique. In this lockdown, we can listen and be listened to. That can be our temporary cure.

We can acknowledge the challenging struggle of a friend or sibling, without minimising their challenge compared with our own.

When Ireland and the world was in total lockdown last year, I tried to console a friend who was at home alone with two young children all day long.

"At least it's not like the Second World War", I said.