Lockdown positives and lifestyle changes

I too have found no pressure, slower pace, less in the diary, quite a relief and very enjoyable! Of course I miss seeing my family and friends, but I do feel I appreciate them more now, and will make sure my time with them in future is quality, not quantity.

This is going to sound awful, but not having to worry about the house being tidy and visitor ready at all times as friends and family have always had a tendency to drop by. Lovely to see them and I miss their company, but I don’t have to worry about the house being today all the time.

How utterly tragic do I sound

Marydoll, have you had any video appointments with the hospital? We had one Monday and I really hope they keep them in place. I realise sometimes we need to be seen in person but this was a neurology medication review, an appointment that would have taken most of the day, driving there, finding somewhere to park, getting into the hospital, finding the clinic, waiting, seeing the nurse, waiting, seeing the Dr, having to get lunch, having to get back to car, having to get back to wherever. We just logged on and the whole thing took about half an hour! It was so much easier

My tinnitus is barely noticeable and I think it's because exterior noise levels are a lot less and I am not going into place like supermarkets I suppose where they have weird acoustics

I have always "felt" that I can paint. I have used many creative outlets for more practical uses (interior design sewing...) but lacked the confidence to paint due to "past stuff". But since March of last year I started painting using online help and haven't looked back. I have even been in the local art news letter and have had a request for a purchase of my first watercolour. I have just completed my first impressionist portrait and at the risk of sounding arrogant I look at and can't believe I painted it !! I hope this inspires others that it is never too late.

I dont think my current pattern of watching too much TV, overdoing the housework, eating and drinking too much are ones I should be keeping. Can't wait to get back onto a golf course and at least to see some people within shouting distance on the course.

I'm hoping not a lifestyle change just yet, but I've discovered I don't mind my own company & when I do completely retire, my life will happily go on.

I've finally found the patience (at times) to do things that were always shelved before. I do love having no plans and no deadlines!

I've bought a treadmill with money I've saved by not going out, meeting friends for lunch, buying clothes etc. No more blaming bad weather for not walking.

I have found that I have benefitted from the gentler pace and no pressure to do things, I don't want to.

Perversely, the best thing for me has been a respite from the volume of hospital appointments I usually have.