Is it just me?

Yes franbern you are so right. Many businesses will never recover and the heartbreak in many families will last for ever. It will also take a toll on many peoples ‘ mental health.

Good post franbern

I am most definitely NOT enjoying it. Okay, it has not impacted too much on me. Except for having to cancel my social trips daily to U3A. I have a lovely flat, a large sun-drenched balcony, my income is not impacted.
Yes, if it was my decision NOT to go out and see people, then it would be fine. I just hate not being in charge of my own life.
I am also fortunate that all my children and g.children live in nice houses with gardens, all my children are working from home, so no loss of income.
BUT.......I find myself virtually having nightmares about so many families trying to get through this is high rise flats, with children and young people. Dread to think what is happening amongst teenagers in the so-called sink estates where there has always been a strong presence of 'drug Barons'.
Seriously worry about all those in prison, both staff and inmates and those is Detention Centres.
Very worried as to what we will eventually come out of this into, there will be so much austerity, public services cut back to the minimum. Our High Streets even more devastated as so many small shops and business's will have ceased being able to trade.
Would happily exchange all the wonderful bird song, for hearing school children playing together in the playground.
All the traffic quiet (although do notice that seems to have built back up considerably), for hospitals and doctors surgeries, etc to be back to how they were.
All the laziness of having nothing or little to do each day to replaced by being able to get together, touch and cuddle my family and friends.
So, Yes, I am getting through this, but think we are reaqlly heading towards a far worse nightmare in the months/years ahead.

hetty in an ideal world yes and people have been saying this for centuries, (Serenity Prayer for example) so
nothing new there. However it is easier said than done and I believe under some circumstances people should be allowed to grieve, to be sad, angry etc and supported through that phase.

Lucca, unkind perhaps - but far more helpful than sympathy. If we can't change our circumstances, we can always change our way of thinking.

I am doing my best to make the most of it. I would usually do front line work but have been ill for months so was furloughed. I’m using this time to focus on getting well , getting fit, cooking different things and de cluttering my life. Enjoying the garden and taking the elderly neighbours dog for a daily walk Hardest things are missing my kids and grandson. My husband still works so I at least have the house to myself most days. The cat is still happy to have the attention.

I did enjoy it for a bit, felt relaxing and like being on holiday. But also like with holidays I've now got bored with it! I have been going out for a daily walk and we are lucky to have some green spaces to walk in but I'm now fed up with them, I want to walk somewhere different. I have done a few jobs around the house but everything seems pretty pointless. Why tidy the house no one will be coming in. I ve done some gardening but now I need plants and compost and the garden centres are closed. I only retired in January and was keeping very busy child minding my grandson 2 days a week and visiting my mum in a care home 3 times a week, spending time at my gym meeting up with friends and booking lots of long weekends away with my husband. All now not possible. I like to plan and have things to look forward to. So I am finding lock down increasingly frustrating and depressing. Each day is getting harder to motivate myself and stay positive. I am trying to find things, like hearing the birdsong better, enjoying the sunshine, embracing social media and video calls, my present good health, to be grateful for and trying to live in the present moment.

Yes. After four years of looking after elderly parents, driving miles and being away from home for weeks or months I am loving being at home. Sadly I lost my Dad a year ago and Mum has moved into a care home nearer to me. She is safe and well. I am sorting out my veggie garden and greenhouse. Seed planting starts in earnest tomorrow and I shall look forward to eating the fruits of my labours. I am also going to pick up some of my hobbies. I am very aware that I am very lucky to live where I do and that life is intolerable for some. Today is another glorious day, I shall embrace it.

So nice to hear that people are making the best of things. I would like to add that we do not have a garden, just a small back yard, but the pleasure of walking the streets and enjoying other people's gardens gives me joy. Yes tragedy is here as well, our daughter's colleague has died of covid and has been buried without a proper send off.

Bad things happen all the time, but so do good. Our police have reported fewer car accidents and crime, so I'm going to take pleasure in what I have.

“You need to change your attitude”

A bit unkind I’d say. Just because you are coping doesn’t mean others can.

Polnan, you need to change your attitude!

I lost my loved one on 11th March (already I was isolating) no funeral, no hugs or comfort. An awful lot of crying. I will manage though. I know I'm strong.

We can still get out for a long walk every day. I'd thoroughly recommend that, for those who are able. Time spent outside, in a garden, on a balcony, is nearly as good.

Be very kind to yourself and enjoy treats. Do one thing every day for 'progress', garden, clean a window, cook, clean, fix or make something, anything really, just for an hour.

Make plans and lists for 'after' and view this as a phase (that's all it is), a delay until life returns to some version of normality.

I'm enjoying the forced rest at weekends. I'm still working full-time but I'm the only worker going into the office. Normally there's 25 of us. It's given me an insight how relaxing things could be if I didn't make so many unnecessary (?) arrangements to socialise. I'm finding an inner peace that I didn't think was there. I'm saving lots of money (I've donated to a few animal charities who are struggling) and my car is doing 3 weeks to the gallon ? I'm mindful of those who have no chance of these 'luxuries' and all is fine as DH and I have not been touched directly by the virus. I may have a different take on things if we are struck down.

Peridot8
My heart goes out to you. Such a poorly understood and debilitating condition.

It's fine by me as I'm not a social animal so my life is not much different. Hope the 2m rule is here to stay!

Yes I am with you. I am enjoying the birds singing and the air seems so pure and clear. On my daily walk I take deep breaths and can really feel the benefit, pollution free. I'm also enjoying that complete strangers nod, smile and acknowledge you from a distance. In a funny way, although I'm missing certain things, I dread it ending and going back to what was a "dysfunctional" normal.

And on a personal I’ve been through much worse

I have decided that ‘it is what it is’ and we just have to look at the pluses and value these.

Yes, I so miss the hugs from the grandchildren and meeting up with friends, and yes, there is a whole world that I don’t see where people are in ICUs and NHS staff are giving their all.

But I can’t do anything to make that better and I can do something to stop it getting worse by following lockdown rules. So no point in being miserable- it won’t help and thank goodness this is happening in spring and not in darkest winter.

So I’m enjoying watching the birds building nests and the leaves and blossom opening, and the lack of traffic and exhaust fumes. I’m appreciating the community spirit with neighbours helping each other and the Thursday Clap.

I try not to think about the people living in flats, the effect of the virus on third world countries and the awful death rate. Deep down all these shock me and I could easily slip into depression, but, because I can’t do anything about them I take a positive grip on my mental health and allow myself to appreciate the beauty and the good I see around me,

notanan How about the people not in unhappy cramped and damp homes. Are there any?

I am not for one moment enjoying lockdown knowing why we are subjected to it. To those who lost their lives, rest in peace, and to those you leave behind my deepest sympathy.

I think its horrific for people trapped in unhappy or cramped or damp homes.

There are things I enjoy in my own home, yes.

As a person who was always out and about I am surprised how well I have adapted, but I am fearful for young people. My daughters partner now has no job and they moved house very recently so are quite stretched. My son is trapped in a very small apartment in a large US city and half his job has disappeared. Goodness knows when we will be able to see him again. The beautiful five years olds I used to work with are at home with parents struggling to educate them, missing out on vital early years socialising. Some of the parents are also having to work full time. One family near me are on their knees. Yes its lovely hearing the birds sing rather than the cars roaring, but is economic melt down just around the corner?

When we took the dog for a walk this afternoon we paused along the footpath to look over the valley at the beautiful view. Apart from the sound of birdsong there was absolute silence. I have never heard that in England before, a few times in Spain but never here. I love it.

Good for you, Parky! Into the sixth week of lockdown and spending time to type up forty years of genealogical research.
I live on my own and, like yourself, other than concern for others, find the freedom inspiring, peaceful and restful. I wish I could bless all friends with such contentment.

Calendargirl Well, isn't that strange? ?

One thing I have noticed is that people walking in the lane outside no long stomp past arguing on their phones, no F***s every other word. They chat nicely. To start with people went past with their heads down ignoring each other but now everyone seems more at ease. Even at three metres apart. They pass the time of day and converse. Even if it means walking up the road with one on the pavement and one in the middle of the road! The quiet is calming everyone down.