Lockdown

For those cheerily chirruping on about plenty to do etc etc, yes we know there is plenty to do, but if your usual life has collapsed and you are not particularly a homebody, a terrible inertia can set in and it’s nothing to do with weakness.
It can be quite dangerous and trigger off a deep depression.

I'm finding it harder than the first one as then the weather was so good at times that it was possible to sit in a garden but now that it's so cold I am stuck indoors for the next few weeks and that's going to be hard. I use a wheelchair when I go outside and if it's snowing then I can't get out anyway as it's not safe. More money spent on heating eats into my budget as well. It's just hard.

One thing I’m finding really positive is that the nights are definitely getting shorter, so although it’s cold wet and miserable now I can see a bit more hope of spring every day.
I’ve decided to spend January doing all those annoying things I won’t want to do when things improve, weeding through the filing cabinet, etc. - I even organised and decluttered all my Christmas decorations as I was putting them away this morning for the first time in years, I usually just pack them all away without thinking about it - a small daily task above the normal for the whole month. I’ve got loads to go at as I haven’t long retired.

Sending love, best wishes and positive thoughts to everyone. Keep chatting and supporting each other.

I'm finding it harder this time. N.Ireland has been on lockdown since Boxing Day and I'm going nuts. The weather is rubbish so taking dog out a walk has even become a chore. Hailstones hammering into us the other day had me nearly in tears by the time I reached home. No gardening this time, friends can't call cos they are standing freezing at the front door. Days are long and nights are worse. I've never really minded living alone, but this is sole destroying.

Hold the line.
I like that comment. I’m doing that. It’s hard with just husband and me. But I will get through it, sanity intact.
There’s a press conference today? ?

It’s never easy. Just depressingly familiar. So much worse because of the cold weather.

Hetty58

Granny23, isn't that breaking the rules? (and encouraging others to?).

I thought that we were not allowed to invite others into gardens.

Current guidelines in Scotland have reduced the number allowed to meet outdoors from 6 persons to 2 from two households. Hence why my DGS comes alone to visit me outdoors and occasionally one or other (but not both together) DDs can legally visit me in the Garden.

Jillybird I'm sorry you are struggling, but we have Spring to look forward to and the vaccines will help. Onwards and upwards, but eh go on stamp your feet it will make you feel better...might try it myself ?

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Have kept to the rules meeting family when permitted outside. Now if course it is far too cold or wet and as nearest lives a couple of hours drive away just a trip too far. I feel this lockdown is easier. There is an end (hopefully if no new resistant variant pops up) in sight now whereas the first time everyone was scrambling about trying to figure out what the horrible thing was.

Alanav, totally agree with you.

I still think you’ve played an important part in supporting your family EV, a sense of humour and a positive attitude even from a distance helps others. You certainly cheer others on Mick’s good morning thread.
Lots of you with good spirit here and thank goodness for those who help the ones having a wobble.
Not finding this one any harder than the last as nothing much has changed. Shopping delivered, walking when weather permits, Netflix and scrabble.
I am one of the lucky ones as I have a good husband with a good sense of humour.

Like many, I envisaged another lockdown as pandemics spread rapidly and can last for 2+ years. Looking on the downside, by the time that this fizzles out we'll be looking at this Autumn and heading into another Winter when everyone's immune systems drop to rock bottom again.

As statistics stand, we sadly lose many during each winter anyway and the figures have increased because of an ageing society but when a full pandemic strikes it hits the under 50's too.

Because I live alone it's been easier to stick to rules and regulations and I've only visited a supermarket 3 times in nearly a year but admit to not feeling safe in them and end up feeling ill with anxiety. Fortunately I have local shops nearby.

Of all the times that my family needed me it was last year and there wasn't a thing I could do about it without putting my own health in jeopardy, which left me frustrated and still does because I can't visit a " mixed " household.

Definitely harder. I’ve fully shielded for 10months-only going out for medical appointments and a daily totter round the block. Last time, with the lovely weather, I spent a lot of time in my garden with neighbours stopping for a chat. The other thing that seems to have changed is the community spirit/offers of help which seems to have diminished

Having said that we are coping ok, I do feel sorry for those who have lost their jobs or business, are trying to juggle working from home with home educating and entertaining their children, or are simply missing their grandchildren. I acknowledge that we are, so far, quite fortunate in the grand scheme of it all. Our only loss is our plans for travelling and I do miss my wet January days which were usually spent planning and discussing holidays for the year to come!

How lovely to read so many positive and cheerful comments today!

I do not look at Gransnet every day because of the sad problems some of which seem insoluble. Perhaps counting your blessings might be a good thing to do - even on the darkest days we all have some.

Ha ha ....never knew about the new 5 0clock conference......have to remember to watch it ! personally I HATE this ...living alone, in a flat with no garden I do not intend to stay in .....I will shop for food, once a day ...cos it makes a trip out ....and once a day for exercise along the seafront where I live .........no family, so no bother about not seeing them, and I see my friends usually once a week ...one is my support bubble, so that should be ok .........but I really don't think all of this is getting us anywhere......you cannot keep people incarcerated for much longer ....the virus will still be there long after people are 'trusted' to use their common sense and for the government to restore our civil liberties ....taking all this away is nothing short of criminal .....I won't be here then, but I would love to see what history makes of this ,.....after all we still talk about King Canute trying to hold back the tide .....sound familiar ? ....and of Nero fiddling whilst Rome burned ....someone pass Boris a violin ..........so angry

Yes I will find it harder, we have a classic motorhome.The day the kids go back to school is time for planning, by the end of January I normally have 8-10 weeks booked starting 1st May and spreading till end of September, plus always on lookout for extra offers. This year can't get going.

Myself and my husband have a support bubble with a single elderly friend who lives nearby - we have it for his sake, not for ours and it is really important as he was getting really depressed being on his own. My husband and our friend are both clinically vulnerable - we all take precautions to be careful with any contact outside our homes to keep us all safe. Support bubbles were introduced because of the serious mental health issues and loneliness experienced by single person households during first lockdown - its been a lifeline for our friend and we are happy to provide that. I do have an issue with those who think they can have multiple support bubbles - this is not allowed under the rules, current or from last year. The new rules specify that only those who are legally allowed support bubbles (single person households or those who are on their own and have a young child) are allowed to continue with this.

I think lockdown can be difficult, but not so bad when you know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. The worst thing is not being able to see my little granddaughters, though with Facetime, WhatsApp and Zoom I can still see and speak to them and to the extended family and friends. Technology has been a Godsend. I can still walk the dogs, my fitness instructor puts classes online and sometimes uses Zoom for a live session, I can get around to jobs I normally ignore and can curl up with a good book or binge watch on Netflix. However, like everyone, I miss spontaneity of saying to hubby, 'lets pop out for lunch', I miss hugging my family and friends and, of course, not having my hair cut. Last time I looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge, forwards and backwards!!

I thought that being on your own would be harder but on the other hand you only have yourself to please. I’m grateful I still have my DH but unfortunately he’s suffering because of lockdown while I don’t and I’m not even very sympathetic!

Things won't change much for us either, to be honest. The only change we have made is to arrange to click and collect grocery and dog food order rather than going in person. I admit it would be easier if the weather was better and hours could be spent outside in the garden, but we are warm, safe, well fed with good health, plenty of books and a Netflix subscription!

Franbern I haven't tried them, but I have heard of them. I'll perhaps look at these

Franbern - have you tried a 'daylight lamp' for your SAD? Two family members swear by them.