Has anyone managed to be extra productive/achieve during the lockdown period?

[howow]

Thought it would be nice to have a positive thread about lockdown :)
My achievements are:

1. Getting a bit more familiar with longer (e.g. 16 mile) driving journeys whilst the roads are clearer (I'm a new-ish driver so lower traffic is easing my worries a bit) (p.s I'm not actually "going" anywhere - merely planning out routes and driving back without getting out anywhere.

2. Finished the couch to 5k 9-week running program this week (started it in January so pre-lockdown).

3. I'm kinda considering trying to remedy some of my skin issues (potentially trying out newer ways that advise not going out in the sun for a few days after - but as salons and dermatalogists etc are closed, not sure how far I'll get with that one (using just the internet).

What about you?

I've re-glossed most of the woodwork in my house. Just the loft hatch and the bathroom door frame to go.

Awesome :)

I have done very little ‘project stuff’ cos WFH and DC at home but have done some gardening and watched some 90s films with the DC that none of us would have otherwise had the patience for.

I've written a full length novel (76,000 words to be exact) since 10 March. It's not due to my publisher until October!

Well done @Zaphodsotherhead! As someone who is struggling to complete a first novel and isn't really putting enough time in, I'm in awe.

May I ask if there's a set number of words a day that you generally tend to aim for/achieve? I've been thinking that I need to start aiming for a specific number of words each day, which rather stupidly I've not been doing so far, so it's good to get ideas of what productive writers aim for.

I'm a key worker, so have been working throughout and too tired to do anything too much in my free time.
So jealous of all the people furloughed, I'm completely missing out, my job isn't anymore secure than those who have been furloughed, and I'm so tired!
I know not everyone is having a great time....but I would have loved 2-5 months off work, paid as well! I could never imagine getting such a freebie, esp from a Tory gov!

oh god I have. But I don't want anyone to feel bad because I'm a twat who doesn't sit down really. And actually it's driven by stress a bit I think.

i've achieved loads in my job - have actually been on tv and radio and in the papers lots, (nothing exciting - I'm just a specialist in my area), and am loving it
I've redecorated my house from almost top to bottom (decorator did a bunk just before lockdown)
I've ran and done yoga every day
I've reconnected with my children and eaten home cooked meals with them every day. We bake most days.
managed to home educate the youngest 2 (only 2 hours a day, but still....)

On the downside, some days I can barely breathe through the stress of juggling it all, I've put on 4lb from all the carbs, and my sourdough starter fermented into a bubbling black mess.

@chickpeachicky ah sorry to hear that. What sector do you work in if you don't mind me asking?

@AnnaNimmity haha the pros and cons were an interesting list to read.

Thanks everyone so far.

@bringincrazyback

It depends on how you work best. I don't tend to set myself a target, because if I do and I fail to meet it then I spend the rest of the day feeling a failure and it's likely to colour my effort from then on! But some people work well with a 1,000 word a day target, for some it's 5,000 words, it depends on the time you are likely to have available.

On some days I work an early shift at the day job and can't fit words in before work and am too mentally knackered afterwards so I will skip a day. Other days I can just sit and write all day (my record is 16,000 words in one day but that was exceptional).

So it depends on what suits you best and how you feel you work best. Better 500 good words than 2,000 words that you then have to cut out!

I've done loads. I sat to jot it all down the other day and filled 2 sides of A4. I mean, none of it is life changing, but it's 50 household jobs that I would otherwise never have done, plus lots with the children.

I could sit now and write a list of a further 50 things I could to with doing. It's the never ending drudgery of homeownership. Plus I am the sort of person who needs something to do. Call it 'high functioning anxiety' or whatever, but I will always find myself a task to do to keep busy.

Plus a lot of running: 130 km in April, 80 so far in may, ran a virtual 10km and have another booked in, and have now started couch to 5km with my 7year old who wants to enter a virtual 1km with me.,