by Heather Ette, GRoW Team Member
So as we enter Week #8 of Lockdown I thought I would share some of the ups and downs this period has shown me. I hadn’t really expected Lockdown to affect me as much as it would most people because I didn’t think much would really change for me.
I have been working from home permanently for the past 15 years now and am therefore used to being indoors most of the time, most days only really leaving the house to drive the kids to school and pick them up again. I thought this would mean that Lockdown would be a breeze but actually I was wrong and this week it really does seem to be taking its toll.
I can’t quite put my finger on what is bothering me the most. Is it the tediousness of staring at the same four walls or is it that weekdays are blending into weekends and in fact now being one and the same thing with nothing much to look forward to at the end of the week? I was waiting with baited breath to hear Boris’s announcement on Sunday evening to find out how restrictions might be lifted and get some hope of some return to normality. This is despite knowing that the only sensible thing is to continue to stay at home if we are to save lives. I suppose it is natural to want to get back to the way we lived before but we all know that this is not something we can do anytime soon. I didn’t think I would actually miss the school run but in fact I realise I do! I also never realised how important it was to me to be able to walk around a supermarket at my leisure, being able to walk in whichever direction I liked!
I have felt better the past few days since the government announcement that we can now meet up with one other person from outside of our household. It’s nice to know I can have some company on my dog walk and I’m sure my dog will be delighted too to see her little doggy friends again.
I think it’s so important during this time to try to look after your mental health. It’s hard not seeing your family and friends and being stuck indoors. It’s hard to try to homeschool your children, especially if they are not doing as much school work as they are supposed to be doing and especially if, like me, you constantly worry about how they will catch up when they finally return to school.
I’m having to remind myself that I can only do so much. I’m continuing to work every day, I’m continuing to cook and try to make healthy meals. I’m phoning and video calling my family and friends, checking in with people to make sure they are OK. I’m outwardly remaining upbeat, positive and calm to keep anxiety levels low and in all of those things I think I’m doing a pretty good job.
How are you doing?