Covid and lockdown

Covid and lockdown

Just like life and kids, this covid and the lockdown periods don’t come with a manual. One thing that I have learnt is to do what works for you and don’t feel bad and compare yourself to what others are doing.

Kids not done school work? Don’t worry your not a teacher (even if you are shit happens it’s ok) Still in pjs? That’s fine! Kids had cereal for dinner? Also fine (they would probably love it!) if it works for you go for it.

Some days will be easier than others so enjoy the good ones and don’t stress over the bad ones. If negative thoughts are becoming too much, an idea is to imagine an old set of weighing scales. Each negative thought is a weight on one side. Balance them with a positive so a weight is added to the opposite side. Even simple ones- you made it out of bed, you and your kids are ok. Literally anything positive helps.

The first lockdown in 2020 caught everyone off guard, with people being furloughed and a lot of others finding themselves unemployed. Decorating went crazy with ‘lockdown projects’ popping up from decorating the living room but full build garden bars with hot tubs!

The second lockdown was full of hope that if we stayed indoors we could meet friends and family over Christmas and the cancellation of this was devastating for so many.

The third lockdown at the beginning of 2021 just feels strange, we have more hope with the vaccine but this lockdown feels so much harder than the previous ones. I still can’t seem to put my fingers on why though. Just a strange mash of days rolling into weeks and not really knowing where I am so I thought it would be nice to add in a few tips that have started to help me and pull me back around.

Take things day by day and reach out if your struggling. Many counselling services are offering Skype/zoom/teams video sessions or telephone sessions so help is still available and a lot aren’t as expensive as people think.

FaceTime and video calls to catch up with friends, family and work colleagues have been a god send through this, it’s different to a hug but just seeing a friendly smile and having a catch up. Technology has helped with lockdown so much. School and college live lessons, study groups, family catch ups and entertaining videos on social media platforms.

There are many support groups online and in local areas now being run online so you don’t have to feel alone.

Feeling overwhelmed is something that has really come to light over the covid pandemic. We’re trying to keep everything together, work, homeschool, shop, clean, tidy up and all while wearing a mask, washing our hands and trying to protect the NHS. You are one person! It’s not surprising and these feelings are very valid so there’s no shame in feeling this way. Your not alone no matter how much your mind tries to trick you.

Sometimes it’s the little things that cheer us up, a bar of chocolate, a hot bath (or peaceful shower), a few pages of a book, a nice walk around the park. There are little glimpses of hope, vaccines being rolled out, support for people who have businesses or lost their job so there is now light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dim, there is still light.

Remember to believe in yourself no matter how hard it is, you have got this. You can get through this and we will all have some crazy stories to tell in the years to come!