If you are alone, how are you coping with lockdown?

[Destinysdaughter]

I'm.on my own, I'm ok, I do chat with friends on the phone, FB etc but it is hard right now. In the summer I had friends over in the garden but obvs can't do that right now. I'm watching a lot of tv and playing Scrabble online.And on MN a lot! I'm not depressed and just taking it one day at a time really. Wondered how others on their own are coping right now?

[Graphista]

I'm alone. Housebound due to illness, I am depressed (but that's just cos I am anyway it's a big reason why I'm alone)

I stay in contact with others via sm, messaging, phone. Quite happy suiting myself actually. Keep occupied watching tv, mn, games on phone, crafts

This past year is how my life's been pretty much for almost 5 years anyway.

Some issues at start with deliveries which I rely on still struggling a bit with this. Although it's gradually improving.

But I do understand it's not for everyone.

What do you think would help you cope better op?

One thing I have started is taking high dose vit d which I probably should have been doing anyway.

[Scarby9]

Ok.
I work, so busy especially during the week. Then I have a nightly Skype with my parents to keep them going.
Other thsn that I spend (too much) time WhatsApping and on Mumsnet while the TV is on for background noise.
I have weekly online coffee with several people too.

[Katinski]

I'm fine
Been in lockdown since March.Severely disabled. Live alone, family live in the US.Glued to CNN livestream atm. Unbelievable!
Also, like Graphista, taking VitD, which my d-in-l in the USA told me about back in March.
Morrisons home deliveries are great!
Otherwise there's R4 & 3, some TV and BBC documentaries, and I'm re-reading some favourite books - Love In The Time Of Cholera atm. Seems apt
And, of course,e-mailing family and friends.
And now it's nearly bedtime - another day almost over....
It's life - but not as I'd have wished for..

[Destinysdaughter]

I've been taking vitamin D since March and also been watching too much CNN lately due to Trump shenanigans!

I think what's helped me personally is realising how lucky I am right now compared to many. A few years ago I was a carer for my dad who had dementia and that was incredibly hard and I felt v isolated. He has since passed away. So lockdown doesn't feel so bad knowing how much harder this is for many others

[Gingaaarghpussy]

I read, listen to music, talk to my cat and go out once a day to my local shop for human interaction.
If I didn't go out I wouldn't talk to anybody. I am agoraphobic, so going to the same same shop for the last 9 years had helped.

[purpleproses]

It is easier because now it is the same for others as it always is for me out of lockdown. I know I am no longer missing out.

[Handcarthell]

Well done all.

So nice to hear some positivity and general 'im getting on with it '

You are all
Amazing

[Rae34]

I'm finding it harder than previously lockdown. Really is feeling similar to solitary confinement for me now.

[ineedaholidaynow]

@DDIJ do your children not live with you at the moment?

[BunnyBoilerRhian]

Husband of 24 years dumped me 9 weeks ago for some bint 20 years younger.
It was the same week that after months of furlough I lost my job.
I've live in Wales. My family are English. I don't know anyone in my borough, so between the Welsh National Lockdowns which were preceded by Local lockdown I've not seen anyone for 12 weeks.

I get up at 8am. At 9am I exercise for 2 hours. At 11am I have late breakfast then job hunt, apply, tweak cv, email cv to random companies. I'm usually doing this until 3pm but sometimes 5pm. Also do a bit of housework or household admin most days.
I eat dinner around 6.30pm then a either chat with friends on phone or watch tv.
10pm bed and an hour or 2 of more tv then sleep.
Tuesday's I fit in my weekly grocery collection too.

I'm ok. Some times I feel I'm losing sense of reality. I have good days and bad days. The not being Able to drive to local beauty spots at this time of year with the short days is annoying. I live 3 miles from vast forests but i dont have the day light hours to walk 6 miles ahead of a good 5 or 6 mile hike in the forest, if I'm going to commit to job applications. I've done it a few times but it takes most of the day and the 6 miles just to get there and back get dull and boring doing it too often and include a dangerous busy road with no path.

[Overtherainbow12]

I'm on my own with 2 children and finding it incredibly lonely. I feel I am getting through just hour by hour. I miss seeing other adults and just general chat.

[PandaBabyJuly]

I'm on my own and pregnant.

To be honest, I'm not enjoying it but also not hating it.
I've got a lot of uni work due in and I'm watching a lot of Netflix and sleeping lol ... only perk to being pregnant in a pandemic is being able to say no I can't see you haha!

[Handcarthell]

@BunnyBoilerRhian

Husband of 24 years dumped me 9 weeks ago for some bint 20 years younger.
It was the same week that after months of furlough I lost my job.
I've live in Wales. My family are English. I don't know anyone in my borough, so between the Welsh National Lockdowns which were preceded by Local lockdown I've not seen anyone for 12 weeks.

I get up at 8am. At 9am I exercise for 2 hours. At 11am I have late breakfast then job hunt, apply, tweak cv, email cv to random companies. I'm usually doing this until 3pm but sometimes 5pm. Also do a bit of housework or household admin most days.
I eat dinner around 6.30pm then a either chat with friends on phone or watch tv.
10pm bed and an hour or 2 of more tv then sleep.
Tuesday's I fit in my weekly grocery collection too.

I'm ok. Some times I feel I'm losing sense of reality. I have good days and bad days. The not being Able to drive to local beauty spots at this time of year with the short days is annoying. I live 3 miles from vast forests but i dont have the day light hours to walk 6 miles ahead of a good 5 or 6 mile hike in the forest, if I'm going to commit to job applications. I've done it a few times but it takes most of the day and the 6 miles just to get there and back get dull and boring doing it too often and include a dangerous busy road with no path.

I really wish I could say something that might help you.

I do however take my hat off to you, and hope the bint and the absent husband are as miserable as sin

[Destinysdaughter]

So sorry for everyone struggling right now. I feel everyone is going through their own difficulties, whatever version that takes. For me, knowing I'm not alone in being alone helps, if that makes sense! Ihavent seen anyone since the 29th which was my birthday, went out shopping with a friend, just one day before lockdown.

[Graphista]

@Gingaaarghpussy agoraphobia is main reason for my being housebound although not only reason. Sucks doesn't it? You're doing well to go to the shop though! Wish I was doing that!

Similar to pps lockdown and covid has actually meant SOME things have been adjusted to suit my circumstances as they're now most people's circumstances whereas previously I really had to fight and argue for eg telephone gp appointments but for now it's the norm

To those struggling my sympathies

@BunnyBoilerRhian - my ex and I split almost 20 years ago due to his cheating, don't believe the "PR" my ex tried to portray them as "love's young dream" over time I learned it was a load of bollocks, they're miserable with each other but feel for different reasons they can't divorce, also he now has 5 more dc that he wasn't particularly "up for" and is knackered most of the time! he looks bloody ancient in any pics I see.

You'll get through this and be stronger for it I'm sure

[TibetanTerrier]

I live with my dog and would much rather have his company than any human's. I haven't spoken to anyone face to face since 12th March, am having absolutely everything delivered, and have only left the house to dog walk alone. Have only made a couple of phone calls (to the electricity company) since March too. I'm fortunate because I have Asperger's so I love being alone and could happily live in seclusion forever. In fact I think I'm going to rather resent having to talk to people again when this is all over.

[Katinski]

@Overtherainbow12

I'm on my own with 2 children and finding it incredibly lonely. I feel I am getting through just hour by hour. I miss seeing other adults and just general chat.

Oh, I really feel for you
I'm well past the 'little people' stage, but that must be really tough.







i

[TheFaithfulBorderBinliner]

@TibetanTerrier I have a tibetan terrier he is the best companion ever. This will sound like I am mad but he 'talks' more than any other dog i've ever had. Not barks or growels but an impatient humph or a loud sigh. He is a stellar companion and been a joyous presence the last few years.

[GlobeUs]

Honestly, I am coping by planning for the future.
Doing BSL course, improving my coding, removing myself from negativity (social media groups, whatsapp groups, hiding mumsnet threads, blocking the Daily Mail).
Trying to think of improvements I can make to my surroundings (ordered some new foods, some flowers, some new gadgets to play with)
And two massive rescue puppies are keeping me on my feet.

[peak2021]

Talking when working, and with family elsewhere (Skype or Zoom).
Daily walk (am able to vary the route and be away from people).
BFI and Curzon Home Cinema has been wonderful.
Finding enjoyment out of being able to cook my own lunch not have one at work.
Slightly more sleep as no commuting.

[LifeAdvice]

I’m really enjoying it tbh.

I am normally v social, but I think I needed a bit of a break from people (but didn’t realise it). Lockdown has been fantastic for this. I’ve decluttered my home (made me feel so absurdly proud and happy!), committed to watching some LONG tv box sets that in my normal life I would be far to busy to ever commit to watching (The West Wing etc). In the decluttering I found my old cross stitch and patchwork stuff, that I hadn’t touched in years, since I was a teenager/uni student and had more time. I worked out the ones I would like to complete and I do them in front of the box sets....they are coming on brilliantly and I will have Christmas stockings for my extended family all finished by next Christmas!

I’ve also been re-reading some favourite books. I love the Count of Monte Christo, but the size made me put of re-reading it. With all this time thought I have no more excuses!

Exercise-wise I am lucky enough to have a treadmill, so I go on that (not the same as being outdoors, but I make do) and yoga from my yoga studio via Microsoft teams. I actually like yoga this way, no one can see when I can’t do a pose anymore and collapse on the ground! (I’ll be more pleased to return to a studio though).

I am also cooking a new vegetable soup every 2 days (Mumsnet has millions of great recipes) which is new and stimulating (and delicious!) and means I can also be a bit adventurous with other recipes, and not put on any weight in lockdown.

The way I am thinking is, if lockdown was over on XX date, for good, I will just want to be out of doors for ages. So, what things would I want done/finished IN my home, so I don’t have anything left here to stop me going out? I made a big list of things I would like to do or finish, and now I’m ticking them off one by one. It’s really working for me.

Sending good vibes to everyone else in the same (single person) boat.

[Gingaaarghpussy]

@Graphista
If I didn't go I would have no human interaction. My local shop is a 3 minute walk. I could do everything over the interweb but don't want to completely lose my danity