Struggling with it all now

I think there is a definite end in sight I feel far more upbeat about things lately because I know my end is coming into sight the weather is improving the garden is calling and the vaccines are rolling out My goal has always been Easter and I think we are getting there

I agree with BlueBelle I was out walking this morning and there were daffodils and snowdrops along the way, so cheerful.
I'm sorry you feel down at the moment Biscuitmuncher but I think things will get much better soon, its been a long haul. You are closer to returning to more of a normal life in UK than we are in France as in many areas here there is still no vaccine available.

What a lovely positive message BlueBelle. My emotions fall somewhere in between Biscuits and Bluebells, but the sun's shining here and there's washing to hang out - life somehow feels 'normal' . Hang in there Biscuitmuncher, the end is in sight

That's a negative view on things. Humans are generally good at adapting to changes in circumstances. Anticipating an 'end' (or not) is bound to be depressing. Instead, we should focus on everything we can still do and make the most of it. Long walks with a friend have kept me on track.

Another here in agreement with Bluebelle. So pleased I planted spring bulbs in pots on my patio balcony - as I sit here
watching them all come up and the flowers starting to appear.

I was remembering that LAST February half-term, one of my daughters came to visit me to see my new flat - and we had several good days outings. Seems to be another world that was. Within a few weeks, we were locked down and the nightmare started.

BUT.......the end is in sight. Perhaps not a total end until next year, however I really do feel that from May onwards we will be able to start being able to see our families, and shops will open - do not expect to be able to go to theatres or cinemas for some considerable time yet, but maybe out for an occasional meal. Do hope that we have a really good summer this year and I can watch the children enjoying themselves on the beach in sun, sea and sand.

Biscuitmuncher - I think all of us must have days when it all feel pretty hopeless, but thanks to the vaccines the light is most definitely on at the end of that tunnel and getting brighter all of the time.

Although, I do know that for hundreds of thousands of families, the worst times may still be ahead of them - when furlough, etc finishes, and they find they have no jobs to return to, and evictions, etc all start again. That is going to be the horrible downside of the blaze of light in the tunnel!!!

I'm totally with BB here. Many signs for hope. Even noticed the lengthening daylight yesterday. Flowers are popping through the soil. It currently feels like a biggger light at the end of a shorter tunnel. Sure, progress is not happening as quickly as I'd like but I'm impulsive by nature. However the signs are definitely good. Onwards........

I feel like the OP. It all just feels totally depressing. Not cheered by the new guidelines on visiting ( I’m in sheltered accommodation). One regular visitor allowed, always the same one. I have two sons, both live 200 miles away so neither can visit regularly and anyway, which one would I pick? Ridiculous. I have a close friend who is local and could visit regularly, but if she did then I couldn’t see my sons.

I suppose things will improve, but at the moment it seems a distant prospect.

May seems forever away. Last time I did something I enjoyed was October. My favourite thing in the world is the cinema, the thing I enjoy the least is walking! So I'm not really fitting into this new life!

I think sometimes we don't acknowledge how difficult this journey has been for all of us. We have lost our perspective and almost accepted that this situation is normal. There is nothing normal about being so separate from each other, but we have had to adapt and we must now adapt again to whatever the new changes are going to be.
This time last year we were frightened of the massive changes we were having to make. This year we are having to re-do (not un-do) how we live our lives again. No wonder we're frightened- going back outside now seems as daunting as staying in did!
But, yes nature hasn't changed. The flowers and trees are still doing what they do and how wonderful that is. I am also so glad I planted those bulbs in the Autumn. Colour is coming back and I can't wait!

Do you have things other than cinema that you like? Painting or renovating something, planting things and watching them grow (it’s an ideal time to grow some salad stuff and it can be done on window sills), taking photographs indoors or out (all mobile phones have good cameras now) and framing some, trying new recipes for your main meal, baking cakes if you’re not calorie counting, making clothes or new cushion covers if you have a sewing machine.
None of these may appeal to you but the idea is to take your mind off your thoughts and produce something that gives you satisfaction.
No one has to do long walks if they don’t like to but a short walk can clear your mind and mood.
There will still be days that you feel low, but the worst ones really are behind us now as everyone says.
Best wishes Biscuit ?

Today I feel like Biscuit! Weather not helping with walking, even though I still go out regardless. Sodapop I keep forgetting you are in France, what’s the situation regarding moving around, as some French friends seem to be in the Alps!
Still as soon as the weather changes I’m sure I’ll feel more positive. The vaccinations are bound to be a great help.

Must say I do feel more positive now, with vaccines rolling out so fast and dh and I having had our first jabs 3 and 4 weeks ago now.
Not to mention seeing signs of spring! I’ve been monitoring several little clumps of tête-à-tête daffodils I see every day on my usual walk, nearly fully out now.

And if I walk to the nearest small supermarket instead, I pass a sunny, grassy bank where there’s almost a carpet of crocuses out now.

Thinking back to last year at this time, it seems a distant memory, but people on holiday abroad were soon not able to return home because of the virus. Have we forgotten how they were holed up in hotel rooms, not knowing when they could return? And people trapped on cruise ships?

Seemed like an unreal world back then, we are in a much different and better situation now.

I have days when I feel quite upbeat , that things are getting better and nearer to some form of normality, but then I get days when I just feel so down ,then the tears start, I go for a walk in the park and see mums out pushing the pram , I miss seeing my GD;s so much , I miss seeing my family , I know , so do millions of people, but it’s how I am feeling today,
We all hope that Boris has better news on Monday for us all ,

For me where I am the grey sky and incessant rain are making everything seem worse. It is truly bleak here. Listening to the gutters overflowing is a real downer.

There is undoubtedly light at the end of the tunnel, but, like Biscuitmuncher I am all lockdowned-out.

Because I am hoping to move next month I have not devoted myself to the garden - the daffs are in bud, but no yellow yet.

I will stick with the rules and plod on. This is always the most difficult time of year when the horrible weather seems relentless - but it will break and the sun will come out.

I do like the longer evenings - a sign of hope.

Where I live I look outside and see cars and terraced houses it looks exactly the same all year round. My usually lovely home feels like a prison

I feel the same I am usually upbeat keeping busy pottering around. Our daughter lives over sixty miles away she is on her own all day with her baby. I think she copes very well while her husband is out at work we Whatsapp every day. Lately she's getting upset about missing us it's breaking my heart but I put a brave face on it's very difficult. I am getting through it by convincing myself I have got through very bad times in the past I can get through this. Easy said I know but we will I am sure of it.

My daughter has just turned 16 and it's like shes fading away before my eyes. She used to be so happy and jolly but she just stares at a screen now

When you feel like there is no end in sight you should search for other ends.
For instance the signs of spring for their own sake. Other people have ends in sight and you may be able to share their hopes for a while. Take a day at a time and find some end that is worthwhile for that day only.

Maybe your daughter has an end in sight.

Biscuitmuncher. I have a daughter with a daughter the same age as yours. She has struggled for the past two years, emotionally after having broken up with her long standing partner. 2020 has not helped. She works from home but now has dedicated time with my GD. They have a few things i common they enjoy watching on TV and also go out for a takeaway coffee. She like you, can only see other houses out of the window so she drives to the nearby park (my GD can't walk every far without pain ). There they sit and have their coffee. Most times it is in the car. It means they talk.

I live 300 miles away and miss them both and the last time I saw them was last August.

I'm very envious of boheminan with the good weather. The bad weather for some is not helping many. Me included. I love my gardening but can't do anything because it's waterlogged and raining again now. I'm constantly looking ahead on the forecast for a spell of dry weather. We need lots of . My poor daffodils are struggling to open up but they will.

Is there a park near to you, you could drive to? Perhaps you and your daughter could to cook/bake together? Some biscuits .

The vaccinations are rolling out and hopefully you will get yours soon. Changes are a foot and we will know more next week. GN is always here and please visit some of the other threads such as Soop's kitchen. This one has helped me a lot. There are lots of fun threads.

Biscuitmuncher I'm another who feels like you a lot of the time. I have plenty of things I can do and do do but I think a lot of people are ignoring news I wish i hadn't seen.

For instance that the Astra Zeneca vaccine has only 60% efficacy in the over 65s,that a quarter of people in France, Germany and the US will refuse the vaccine, the government is at odds with Chris Whitty and others who don't agree with wildly opening the schools. I listened to the SAGE presentation yesterday, it was said that the virus is now circulating most amongst primary school age children! In the same presentation, Dr Rachel Clark talked at length about trauma and breakdown amongst medical staff as a result of being constantly on the front line.

On top of that, having a 16 year old daughter is a critical moment in the relationship with parents in ordinary times, let alone now!
It's perfectly possible to go and admire the snowdrops but I don't think normal is going to return any time soon. Take care Biscuitmuncher, it's not easy.

I feel as you do Biscuitmuncher although I try to bash through the day as cheerfully as I can as my husband is doing. We are lucky that we have each other even though there are a few words spoken (shouted) now and again. I'm trying not to expect much from the PM on Monday. He has been clear its all about the schools first and then watching the numbers before the rest of us are allowed anything. I have to say I was initially hoping for more but it takes longer for the vaccine to be administered to a lot more people to get us anywhere near normal living. I know all the very good reasons for this lockdown but I do find it hard.

Biscuitmuncher I totally understand where you are coming from, for me the light seems a long way off. I have lost so much to COVID and am still weeks away from vaccination. I recognise that it’s a dip in my mood today, as even an hours trudge around the fields that surround where I live was just that and it hasn’t lightened my mood at all. It’s good that people have responded with positive suggestions for lifting your low mood (will take some on board for myself) but it’s ok to express your sadness and frustration - even healthy to do so,