Just to stop doing it all

[Stressymcstressfacs]

I’ve been super cautious this whole lockdown period. We took our kids out of school a week before the schools closed. Stop seeing Grandparents then too. Had food delivered. Washing shopping. Not having take aways.
Having limited outdoor time apart for a walk around the block.
I’m just exhausted by it all. I just want some ‘normal.’
Ironically we had symptoms the week after we stopped going out but obviously there was no tests then.
Would it be wrong just to start living a bit? Particularly with the schools going back in June. Do we need to start living with the risk? I’m genuinely trying to work it out.

[DahliaDay]

It’s not certain schools are going back at all

What can you do that’s normal? Go shopping? That’s about all that’s on offer

[Waxonwaxoff0]

What do you have in mind?

I've not been overly cautious since lockdown started. I go to the supermarket twice a week, don't disinfect anything, go out every day, get takeaways. Now that we are allowed unlimited exercise DS and I have been going out for hours, having picnics. We met my mum at the weekend for a walk. Got takeaway drinks at a cafe. Basically everything that we are allowed to do, we are doing. It keeps a bit of normality going.

[TheShapeJaper]

Get a takeaway and stop washing your shopping.

[Stressymcstressfacs]

Just to be less hyper vigilant I guess. I’ve followed the rules and some. It’s exhausting and I can’t decide if it’s necessary or not. The ‘risk‘ seems to be hard to measure particularly when we have a government and press that constantly tries to manipulate our thoughts for their own ends.

[Scottishgirl85]

Stop washing your shopping, it's madness that people are doing this. Go out more often for a walk, further afield if it'll help. Send your kids back to school when it opens to their year group. That's about as normal as you'll get for now I'm afraid.

[attackedbycritters]

We are living with the risk
What you want is a different way of living with the risk

If they can sort the test and trace out, then we could have a way of living similar to before the virus, but that needs a low level in the community to make it work, so you will have to wait a bit for that

You are being wishful if you think we can carry on as we did before because most people won't be able to pretend the virus isn't here

[Sadie789]

Life is short.

It is so short. You or your loved ones could be taken any moment by any number of sudden illnesses or accidents. Take it from me. Life can be turned upside down in a moment.

It’s absolute insanity not to make sure you enjoy every second you have. To be so paranoid and scared that you are washing your shopping- I just can’t fathom this behaviour.

Please. Just live your life. Coronavirus is a minuscule threat in the grand scheme of things. You will look back and realise this.

[FraterculaArctica]

I know exactly what you mean OP. We are also washing shopping. A lot of people on here were strongly advising it at the beginning of lockdown, and as far as I'm concerned, if it was necessary then, it's necessary now, surely? Means it takes us 2 hours or so to put the shopping away - exhausting.

[SockYarn]

Stop washing you shopping, get out and about. Venture into a supermarket and see that it's really not scary.

Treat yourself to a takeaway coffee or ice cream.

[DamnYankee]

Just live your life.

You sound like a person who truly cares about others.

You also sound completely fatigued. It's no wonder. Every time we follow one of the rules, even if it's for the greater good, I honestly think our brains and bodies get a little shock because it is so very different from what we're and it's a reminder of how crazy things are. It's like being subjected to a loud alarm bells.

I agree with a PP. Stop wiping your shopping. Get a takeaway. Have one glass of wine or tea and really savor it. Why can't you do more than walk around the block?

[Joffrey]

Stop washing the shopping, go out to the shop too.

Are you in England? Go further afield to exercise, have a picnic.

Meet a friend one on one outdoors, social distancing for a chat.

Garden centre?

Get a takeaway.

We will all have to learn to live with this, it's not going to suddenly vanish. Life is about mitigating risk and this is another thing like all the other viruses, possible accidents etc that could happen but most people don't give them a second thought.

[mynameiscalypso]

I think the more time you spend out and doing normal things (within the guidelines obviously), the less scary the world seems. When I have a few days when I just stay at home, everything outside becomes so scary and then you go out and have a chat with someone in a shop or watch some kids playing football in the park and it all seems so much easier to cope with.

[LilacTree1]

OP

May I ask why you did all this initially and why you feel differently now?

You mention the risk is hard to measure with government and newspapers. Yes it is. So how about looking at other sources of info eg
NHS. Look at how many deaths there were from flu in 2017/18 and it was barely reported.

Think about your own choices.

I think it’s hard because we are surrounded by propaganda and scare mongering. Face your feelings directly. Are you really going to be furious with yourself if you stop wiping shopping and then get covid?

What’s your plan for when rules are relaxed?

[stopandListen]

Are you or your family vulnerable or at risk? If not the level of anxiety you feel is not normal, stop washing the shopping! Just wash your hands after putting it away.

As others have said have a walk, or a picnic in the park, order some food in, I'd have had a nervous breakdown if I was living as you've been, no wonder your fed up.

[Stressymcstressfacs]

Thank you for your messages. I am quite an anxious person and definitely a rule follower - hence the only walking around the block (I know the rules have changed now)
I think I need to get out for longer periods and get a take away at the weekend. I sort of needed to be told that was ok to do. - if that makes sense?!
I’ll also try and stop washing the shopping...

[Northernsoullover]

I've relaxed. I no longer wash my shopping or panic if someone passes me on the street. The community spread is really low. If it creeps up I'll review.

[Stressymcstressfacs]

@LilacTree1 I did it because it felt like the right thing to do to keep my family safe but now it feels unsustainable for any kind of life

[carlywurly]

After weeks of walking round the block and faithfully going to our nearest tiny supermarket each week, in the past few days I've popped into the office, driven to our nearest town to walk and feel so much better for it.

I'm back working at home all week but a dose of relative normality really helped.

Cannot wait to be able to stay with dp again.

[stopandListen]

😀 great! You'll feel better, we had a takeaway fish & chips last week, the kids thought Christmas had come early.

[Stressymcstressfacs]

@stopandListen DH has mild asthma

[charlaz]

You're doing more harm to your immune system by doing all of that! Get out in the fresh air for longer and definitely stop washing your shopping. Bless you, must be totally exhausting. I get anxious too but not about this virus one bit, stop worrying so much x

[stopandListen]

Ah so that's probably why your feeling so anxious, my friend lives with parents who are very vulnerable due to their health conditions and she washes the shopping too

[Stressymcstressfacs]

Sounds like others feel the same. It’s strange because I know nothing has changed about the virus but I can’t sustain this level of vigilance. I worry that changing it makes me reckless even though rationally I know that’s not the case

[BBCONEANDTWO]

Oh I feel for you. I'm so lucky I've been working every day full time since lock down started so my routine hasn't changed that much.

I really feel for people who haven't been able to go out to work.

Maybe try and just go to the shop just to see how you feel.

[Stressymcstressfacs]

I also have a newborn which probably adds to my vigilant state