Building strength for another three weeks without seeing extended family or friends

[Dontknowhowtohelp1]

I understand why we have to continue, and also wish Boris Johnson had laid out when this might change, but the fact remains that the isolation is set to continue. We have done 8 weeks and I now feel really deflated at having to continue - though I understand why and will of course do it.

Feel like I need to re-set myself to keep going or something as feel a bit flat and as if there isn’t much point in keeping in touch with anyone any more even online / over the phone, as now this is going to go on forever.

And there will be people who feel a lot lonelier than I do as though I am single I live with my three teens.

Also, how long until this might change or we will hear more - another three weeks maybe?

[Dontknowhowtohelp1]

Really I am asking what can we all do to see us through this - feel as if I have exhausted all my strategies but maybe not!

[Minionmomma]

I feel similar. I’m lucky that I’m still working but I’m home based. My children are my company but they’re really little and I feel isolated and I’m starting to get lonely. I feel flat after tonight’s update. I understand the need for social distancing but sitting 2m away from my mum or my sister in their garden once a week.. what’s the risk, really? It would lift my spirit no end. Oh well. Back to Groundhog Day/week/month 😩

[Confusedandhurt75]

I feel your pain! At home with 2 little ones and a 3rd on the way, starting to get too much now.

What bothers me is a member of my extended family who has been alone in his house before official lockdown (he was blind) has died from covid-19, the only people accessing his house was care workers. Yet we are told that being 2m away from family is not allowed, surely theres less risk in that!! Not as if we would be going into their house or touching them.

[MereDintofPandiculation]

Well, we're shielding, so no chance of seeing family and friends until the end of June anyway, and expecting that to continue at least till end Sep and possibly longer.

I don't expect I to ever see my father again.

Advised strategy is not allow yourself to look ahead. Plan the next week. Decide to do something nice - extra nice meal, sit down to a film together, try and make it a little celebration, something to look forward to. Then plan something else to look forward to in the week after. But don't try and look forward to meeting family and friends because it's not a definite date, it's too far away to cope with, and it just makes things feel worse.

[Bramblebear92]

I'm just wondering how long myself (and presumably millions of others) who live alone are expected to not see a soul! I suppose we don't matter...

[Bol87]

Well, apparently from Wednesday we can see one person from another household so long as outdoors & 2m apart.. 🤷🏼‍♀️ So we can now kinda see people I suppose?

[Dontknowhowtohelp1]

Yes I can’t imagine what it must be like for shielding people or who people who live alone.

Advised strategy is not allow yourself to look ahead. Plan the next week. Decide to do something nice - extra nice meal, sit down to a film together, try and make it a little celebration, something to look forward to. Then plan something else to look forward to in the week after. But don't try and look forward to meeting family and friends because it's not a definite date, it's too far away to cope with, and it just makes things feel worse.

Thanks @MereDintofPandiculation - I hope you get to see your Dad as soon as possible.

I am really sorry about your family member who has died @Confusedandhurt75 .

Well, apparently from Wednesday we can see one person from another household so long as outdoors & 2m apart..

There seems to be a lot of confusion about this in that it was apparently in the press briefings but Johnson didn’t mention it in his speech? I guess we will find out tomorrow?