How motivated are you after 5 weeks in lockdown?

[Ladywinesalot]

I started off in happy and determined to keep the dc’s mental health well, which thankfully so far they are happy.

However after 5 weeks I am in a state.

I have a small business and it looks like it won’t survive the lockdown.

I no longer want to try new recipes, read books, speak to friends or learn new skills.

I’m still going for daily walks only because I’m trying to reverse the 10lbs I have put on since the beginning of March.

I’ve just lost my lust for life and have become incredibly passive with daily crying outbursts.

I don’t know how to feel better.

I don’t want to join in the pub quizzes going online being organised by different friends

I don’t want to speak on phone to friends or family

I don’t really want to do much

I don’t really see the point in anything right now

I’m due to give birth soon and I can’t even get a pair of pyjamas online and an order I placed a few weeks ago for the last pair I could find was just cancelled today so I’m feeling sad about that too

I’m struggling today. Dh is a key worker and has been at work constantly so it’s just me and our two boys (6&2) in our small flat. Both the boys have fought all day over a bloody hot wheel car despite us owning 100s of the damn thing. I feel tired, stressed and would give anything to be able to take the boys to my mum’s or my nan’s where they are happily entertained while I sit and chat with a cup of tea I get to drink without a toddler climbing over me.

I think it’s the lack of possibilities I struggle with most, there is no getting up in the morning to do whatever you want to do, it’s getting up to do the same stuff you did the day before. It’s Groundhog Day it feels like to me.

However while I am struggling today, I am also trying to remember tomorrow is a different day, dh is home and I always make a point of going for a walk on my own away from the children when dh is home. I also go for a bath right when tidying up and bedtimes need to happen

I'm alright, which is just as well as I'm shielding and stuck indoors without so much as a daily walk and I don't think that will change for the foreseeable.

I have a very high tolerance for boredom. Other people might call that lazy but I don't feel compelled to be productive for the sake of it. I can have days and days pass without much to show for it and be perfectly content. I never thought it would be particularly useful skillset.

I have had the odd down day but that has always been the case. I have kept up with my exercise routine (weights, runs, cycles, walks) which helps. I (or DH) cooks tea every day for 5.30pm which we eat at the table and then we have an evening of T V and then bed at 8.30-9.00 to read before sleep. The routine is getting me through. Grateful to have DH (teacher) WFH and DS23 to share with. Push through, OP. Accept that you can be low but that you can get back to it after.

@rebelwithallthecause oh lovely I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.
Buy your nice pj’s you deserve them, anything to make your feel good 💐

It is hard, I miss my family and we may lose our home if it goes on too long but my motivation comes back when I think of not seeing my family again and think of what our NHS are facing. Btw I’m not belittling anyone who is struggling but I feel that I am luckier than most to have not lost anyone close to me through this. Life is precious, I’m grateful to have that for my family and to be able to get together for future memories is massively important to me and that’s what keeps me going

I'm still wearing a bra, does that count?

We're isolating as me and DD have been under the weather so not even going for walks. Hair is tied back, no make up, leggings on.

Starting back with walks next week's, and shopping so I'll throw on some jeans and bit of make up.

House is being cleaned, laundry is getting done, we're eating normally, and ds is in the garden a lot. He's only 3 but has ASD so not been too bothered about school work pack. We've been playing and learning PECS, good enough for me.

I should add, I've had the odd low day but for the most part, I'm trying to be grateful for the garden/nice weather/DH able to work from home etc. I'm definitely starting to get restless though.

I've just finished week 5 of wfh and I'm mostly staying in as vulnerable. I had a mini wobble in Week 2 but have generally been fine. Not today. Today I hit a wall. It's been a shit week anyway and I just felt everything imploding today. Ugly crying and everything. I'm over it now but I've hated today.

Keep those chins up everyone

So glad to see this thread. I'm a regular poster, but I've name changed for this.

Truth to tell I'm a mess. I'm horrible to my children, hate home educating and keep bursting into tears. Part of it is caused by the fact I've now had a cough for 3 weeks so sleeping in spare room away from dp which I hate and everytime I think its better it comes back. I've barely been out beyond the garden and I'm trying to stay away from children as much as I can.

I'm sick of the extra cooking, washing up, cleaning etc. I'm sick of thinking of 21 meals a week. Normally its broken up by school lunches, the odd meal out.

I'm a nasty human being - ds (7) emailed his class teacher today to say he was missing school!! I think that says it all.

However today I went for a walk BY MYSELF.. first time I've been out alone in whole 6 weeks and I went to the shop on the way home and maybe a few none essentials slipped in among the bread and milk and fruit and veg.. and I do feel a bit better.

Just feel tired and jaded and pissed off.. I want to see my family, my friends and also need my hair cut... and so do the children

Sorry for whinging needed to let off some of my feelings

Fed up!

@falafellygood haha I’ve been living in my sports bra

I’m trying to be greatful last too, we have a garden and lucky enough to have great local places to walk/exercise.

I can’t imagine how tough this must be for families that have no garden space or live in unsafe areas that are unsuitable to go for walks.

I wonder if those who are making these polices understand the impact it has on families that don’t have the luxury’s of living in safe areas?

I'm feeling fed up today. It comes and goes. Some days I have more enthusiasm for things but days like today really bring me down. Nothing major has happened really, just the children whinging and mithering but the day has really dragged. Dh is working from home but it's down to me to entertain and educate 3 lively boys all day and today it's done me in. I'm bored and I never get bored. I usually like being home but then I am usually alone for much of that time. I'm not coping well being with others 24/7. I'm getting really itchy feet and daydreaming about travel and moving house etc. All this has made me realise that I am ready for a bit of adventure, but I'm frustrated that we cant do anything about it at the moment.

@einszweidrei having to self isolate from the people you live with is a whole other level!

I have def been extra shouty and even threw a plate at the kids today (it was a light plastic one that fell to the floor) I apologised after for it, and bless them they gave me a big hug and said they’d make me a cup of tea!

The stress it’s putting on normal family life is horrid.

I’m really struggling all the uncertainty has set my eating disorder off and ive put over a stone on.

Everyday feels like Groundhog Day, me and DH bickering over who gets to work (both WFH) and who has to amuse DS.

I feel so guilty that DS is an only and I doubt that is going to change now, I feel like I need to play with him ( and he constantly asks me to) but it all feels so contrived. I just want some crap telly and an empty house.

I’d feel better if there was an indication of a plan.

Getting worse by the day to the point where I’m having points when my own head scares me.
Always struggled with anxiety and depression which tends to be triggered by feeling isolated and bored at the best of times.
Live on my own. Partner moved 300 miles away the week before lockdown started to care for an elderly relative so her being in pain and not being able to see her is killing me too.
Disordered eating patterns are coming back, it all just feels a mess and I’m struggling to see how I’m going to get through this. Currently on a month off work on call too which is making it worse.

Having said all that I know we are luckier than so many and I adore DS and DH.

I think it is about trying to be kind to yourself, small treats, achieve one thing a day.
I'm finding joy in really simple things -i've planted some sunflower seeds and I'm watching them grow, I'm learning to crochet from youtube (something i have wanted to do but never have time); I'm using up the bottles of body lotion that I never have time to put on; I'm enjoying not having to style my hair every day - it's the best it has been for a long time.
We started off eating really badly too - but this week we are eating healthily and keeping fit (apps and a new skipping rope). Learning to skip has been hilarious - and OMG how fit do you have to be to skip. We've both lost weight - it has been easier to do - i just don't buy any rubbish and of course it is too difficult to go out and supplement this.
I'm trying to think of this as time i never get otherwise.

I’m really up and down. I think just don’t put too much pressure on yourself. I’m trying to be gentle to myself. Also trying to stick to similar bed times and getting up times, which I’m finding helps.

I just love not going to work.
I never want to go back now I’ve had a taste of life without such a soul destroying job..

I'm doing as well now as I ever did.

Still struggling to get a good teaching and work routine.

I’m ok if the weather is good but I’m starting to need to use tactics to be ok. Ie come upstairs, listen to music and be alone so no one is talking to me.

Dh wfh and when he finishes I disappear and leave him to it.

Just in last few days.

I have desperate days and slightly better days, but am in tears every day at some point, some more than others. It just feels as though there’s no future. I haven’t been able to eat much and have a knot of anxiety all the time.

I’ve looked at the mental health site that the Cambridges are talking about. Not really any help. I do exercise classes every day, but they’re not really helping. Can’t focus on reading, TV, sewing or knitting, which are my usual things. Don’t sleep

I’m really hating this and can’t see an end. If you don’t have poor mental health, you’re very fortunate. I’d been doing really well for a few years. Not now. I’m older too, so feel that I’m expendable and worthless.

I think I’ll be agoraphobic soon, because I haven’t been out, other than the garden, since the beginning of March.

Not sure what country you are living in but the UK was popped in 'our version of lockdown' on 23 March.

Now that isn't 5 weeks ago!