I’m barely writing for the blog at the moment. My motivation has been in my boots since Christmas and having Covid. I also think the current third lockdown isn’t helping. It seems many people are struggling this time around. The initial motivations and novelty of exercising, new hobbies and crafting have really dropped. Many kids are at home again and if you are like me, I NEVER expected the schools to shut again for so many children. But they did and I too, are homeschooling again and hating it! I’m just not a teacher and I never will be. Being in lockdown for third time, this time in winter, is tough. It’s boring, it’s frustrating and it’s draining. It’s sucked away a lot of my motivation and I hate to wish the time away but I find myself wistfully staring out the window, wanting the summer to come around. We all have different circumstances, financial worries, health worries, mental health issues and we all cope differently. I know I am coping and I’m not really unhappy; just a little fed up now and then. I thought I’d write about coping with lockdown 3 from my point of view, for some tips for others and to remind myself that I am ok.
Coping with Lockdown 3
– Allow yourself to wallow – This is something I struggle with. I’ll go to moan at someone and I’ll stop myself. The same thoughts come into my mind; you selfish cow! What have you really got to moan about? There are people worse off than you and you are fine. Shut up!! However, it’s all relative. Whatever situation you are in, there will always be someone worse off. I’ve found allowing myself to feel a little down now and then is ok. It’s therapeutic. I may need a bit of time alone, to speak to a friend or family. and then I know I’ll come around. Allow a bit of negativity. It’s not selfish. It helps and you certainly don’t have to be positive all the time.
– Laugh – I love social media for the right reasons. It’s social, it’s fun and it can be hilarious. Memes and stupid videos have kept me going since December; ones I have found and others I’ve been sent. My humour is borderline ridiculous now. I’ve laughed and laughed at so many things, until the tears have streamed down my face. Laughed so much I’ve not been able to get to sleep. Laughed so much, I’ve annoyed my husband. It’s one of the best feelings and it’s kept me going.
– Get outside – the weather has been awful recently and we have found literally the odd day or even hour or 2 to get out. But it really helps. I can’t always be bothered. I don’t want to get wrapped up but we always feel better afterwards. We’ve simply been letting the kids ride and scoot on the front or having a walk. Even if we get 45 minutes, it’s better than staying in all day. When we had the snow a week ago it was AMAZING. It lifted our spirits and got us all out.
– Exercise – I’m missing the gym a lot this time. I’ve not even trained in the park much. My gym mate also had Covid and the weather has been terrible, meaning mud and slush everywhere. Exercising at home has been harder work but I always feel a little better after doing something. Joe Wicks is great on YouTube and there are so many other workout videos you can use.
– Keep in Touch – I don’t like how lockdown means I am on my phone more than ever but my phone is my lifeline when stuck in. Whatsapp is like a saviour and the people in my phone I love even more. Different friends are there for different reasons. I have my work group who often feed me with memes. Blog friends understand blog stuff and my one blog mate I can text to tell I’m quitting blogging and I’ve had enough (!) or simply to say it’s snowing outside!! We all have our “grim reaper” mates and that would be my next door neighbour, who I can send every miserable Covid thing I find online (usually when I’m wallowing). Every grim stat and every scare-mongering article and we can ruminate over it!! But I need this as other friends don’t want to know, where I need to know it all. Friends have kept me going throughout this lockdown and for that I’m so grateful.
– Get off the News – I’m the sort of person who NEEDS to know it all and this isn’t always healthy. My husband knows when I’ve had too much news, as my mood changes. If you are struggling delete the new apps and steer clear of socials for a bit. I have done this in the previous lockdowns. Also tell your friends and family if you don’t want to hear stuff. I’m not allowed to send my work mate anything really, as it makes her too anxious.
– Be Grateful – it easy to get bogged down with the negative stuff right now but it helps me to frame my mind and think of the things I am grateful for. Getting over Covid, getting vaccinated, my family and friends. We are working. My middle daughter is in nursery. There are so many things that make me happy and even writing this stuff down helps.
– Stop Worrying about kids and screentime – as I write this my kids are watching some rubbish on Netflix but it is a vile day. They have been playing all day and the weather is awful. Sometimes there is nothing else to do. You need a break and honestly, this won’t be forever!!!
– Take pleasure in food – okay I’m not saying eat the world but I have definitely felt more appreciative of a take-away or a decent meal. It’s one of the few things we can enjoy so I’ve been enjoying it!!
– Try Not to Stress with Mess – I’m writing this to remind myself. I have my eldest daughter home with me most of the time. She is my messiest child. I struggle to keep up. It doesn’t matter!! No one is visiting. I do as much cleaning and tidying to keep me sane and I know I can have a good sort out when the kids are out fully again during the week. There’s time and we are not in a normal situation now.
I know we are going to be this for a while longer. Speculation is rife but for me I’m looking to Spring and Summer for things to start to feel a little better, with restrictions starting to hopefully lift.
Hang in there!! Keep smiling and you can do it! Hope these tips have helped you a little with coping with lockdown 3.
