Lockdown

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? ?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

That’s the same for all of us though hollysteers isn’t it, I wouldn’t think there are many people on here whose normal lives haven’t collapsed?
Of course we all deal with the situation differently, I’m definitely not a homebody (I wish I was, I think they are the most contented amongst us at the moment) but I can’t sit about regretting what I’d normally be doing, I have to fill the time productively because I feel better about things if I do, sorry if you think that’s inappropriate.

Thank you hetty 58. It seems everyone thinks if you live with someone you are fortunate. Not always the case.

The main difference to me in this lockdown is that I now have an amazing support bubble in the shape of DD and her husband. I suffered terrible depression in the first one for the first time in my life, and didn't know which way to turn. I was so lonely and isolated, and everything was very black. I often saw no-one for days, was too scared of the virus to venture out, and all my normal social activities were cut off. It was my GP who suggested the support bubble and having the support and company of family really lifted me out of a black hole. I am so grateful to them for their understanding and practical help. I now visit and stay with them nearly every weekend, and it is so good to feel normal, have someone to talk to and share a meal with - all the things that used to be part of a normal life. The benefits I am experiencing cannot be under-estimated.

Definitely harder this time. The first lockdown was a bit of a novelty and the weather was glorious which really helped. I'm missing my kids/grandkids but there's nothing we can do atm. I'm making a list of all the things I'll do when we're free. DH keeps on saying it will be a long time, but I'm thinking by the summer things should be much different.

I go for a walk with the dog every day, unless it's actually raining. Keeps me sane. I've started a new book and watching a box set of Downton abbey. I also think that it's a good thing to ration the news, otherwise we will drive ourselves insane!

ALANaV
I completely agree with you.

No, I'm not finding this easier. I have plenty of hobbies, but these were things I do/did anyway and do not replace the things we are now denied. The first lockdown was made more bearable as the weather was good and we could get outside. I am an outdoors person, and most of my non-hobby activities are outdoors based. I have been trying to go for walks, but painful joints don't help, nor pounding grey depressing streets. We have had carrot after carrot dangled in front of us in the form of being told it would all be better, and each time it had not been so and I have lost hope that it ever will be. The vaccine won't destroy the virus, it will just alleviate how ill people will become, and won't prevent re-infection. Nor can the 'science' tell us that the effect will be long lasting. And we will STILL have to wear masks. I'm sorry but I cried at yesterday's announcement and am having a very dark day today.

Finding that the weather being so vile isn't helping. However when it's not too bad I try to go out every day. Because I couldn't get delivery slots at the beginning I have been doing my food shopping in the local supermarket and butcher they both feel safe with sanitiser on offer and I am masked. Seeing people outside seems to help. I'm lucky that I have DH, although he is fairly vulnerable, he rarely goes into shops. When the weather us better we will go to our allotment which kept us sane in the spring. I have taken down all the decorations and am going to make myself sort out more cupboards and drawers!

Growing old disgracefully I cried too. I just feel in total despair. Like many I have not seen my daughter for over a year now and my grandson, born in July will not know me. I’ve seen him a few times but feel so cut off. Because my relationship with h is not good i used interests outside the home as my escape route. That’s not possible now. Most days I walk for 2 hours in all weathers but depression and hopelessness are creeping in as I can’t see any end to it.

I feel this lockdown is harder as the previous one was during the lighter nights and a period of mostly good weather. I am lucky in having a rescue dog so have her to walk and entertain me so much better placed than so many but last time I had the enjoyment of getting out in our small garden. I know why we need it and I wish it had come in sooner but I will grit my teeth and get on with it for the common good.x

Worse. The Government continues to act too late. Our area has been out of severe restrictions for two weeks since March 2020. I wonder if we will live to see any resemblance of normality. Depressing is an understatement.

Harder without doubt!

This one is harder for me. My son is a construction worker, so not furloughed this time. My daughter in law his wife, is NHS nurse trained but has just started a full time one year degree in NHS Health Working. They have 2 nursery aged children that need looking after when Keyworkers schooling finishes every day. Do my husband and I look after the children daily for them, what choice do we have. It seems like a risky social bubble.

Willow73 I sympathise with you. I have a friend in much the same position. Her daughter is a nurse, and my friend and her husband in mid to late 60s have had their very young grandchildren since March.
I wish I could offer more useful help. All the best to you and your family.

My man is in sheltered housing, no visits from family allowed as has been in tier 3/4 , DS does shopping and that has to be left downstairs and they then speak on phone while mam looks out of window, she has been out about 3 times since march , unless she has a package of care she does not see a member of staff except when she has her lunch delivered from the chef, her mental health is suffering as she feels like she is in prison!!! Due her vaccine soon.

Worse this time. Dark by 4pm, cold, wet and gloomy most days - nothing like the glorious sunshine we had almost throughout the first lock-down to keep our spirits up. I am so angry that this country seems to have the worst lock-down in the world and almost the worst Covid scenario. Could this be due to long term historic underfunding of public services I wonder, and not that we have hatched some super Uk only variant of Covid. Staff working in the NHS are amazing, but the system and management has been dysfunctional for decades, and its absolutely predictable that we would end up in this situation should a crisis strike (I used to work in a large teaching hospital). Sorry to say our NHS is not incredible and amazing, its a mess and it cant cope. All we seem to hear about is protecting the NHS when what we need to hear about is protecting patients. Indeed instead of protecting the NHS we need to reform it totally.

Madwoman11 thank you for your kind words. In a very sad way it helps knowing we are not alone in this position.

It’s only easier if people abide by the rules.

We were already in tier 4 so the lockdown hasn't changed anything for me personally. I'm normally a glass half full person but I've now drunk the half a glass! One thing I have become very good at is procrastinating