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Original poster

How are you REALLY finding lockdown?

171 replies

MinnieAnonyMouse · 30/04/2020 10:07

Full disclosure, I am very lucky in that I'm able to wfh, we have a nice sized garden and no kids yet. I appreciate my position is very different to some people who have no access to the outside / houseshares / living with abuse / lost jobs etc.

How are you finding lockdown? Aside from the minor issues like I miss being able to go to the shop just because I fancy something and I'd like to see my mum, it's not affecting us too badly. I'm quite an introvert at the best of times and this has reiterated that I am very happy at home and am not all that bothered about leaving. I'm loving not having a very long commute!

I wondered how everyone else was getting on - I can't be the only one who isn't overly fussed by it all? As I say, fully appreciate I'm very lucky. Feel free to rant!

OP posts:
Caramel78 · 30/04/2020 12:21

I’m fine with it. I’m a home bird who rarely goes out anyway. DP and I are getting along great and we’re enjoying the chance to rest.
I’m secretly very anti social so I’m not missing friends and family yet.

TeeBee · 30/04/2020 12:22

Much preferring it. I work at home anyway (self-employed) and have been working the whole time. The difference is that my kids are home so I don't have to do endless bloody pick-ups and drop-offs; my boyfriend has moved in with us for lockdown and I'm loving having him here, and I don't have to feel compelled to see people. The only downside is that I'm getting very fat. If I can get on top of that, I'm sorted. Its making me appreciate the home that I've built and my lovely clan. We are a chilled out little bunch.

TimeWastingButFun · 30/04/2020 12:35

In one way I quite like the lockdown. We have lots of space, the kids are unusually getting on really well together and apart from moaning about school work it's all going well. But on the other hand we had to cancel holiday plans which the kids were sad about, and we can't see my mum properly, only from the door, which is hard. I just don't want them to lift the lockdown until it's totally safe to go out or a vaccine is found.

copycopypaste · 30/04/2020 12:43

It's not that much different for me as I wfh anyway, I just don't get my weekly trip into the office.

My dd is home, but doing well with her schooling and she's good company. We walk the dogs every day. My dh is a key worker so he gets any shopping we need on his way home so I've not driven my car in weeks

I'm beginning to realise I'm a bit of a home body and not that sociable as I'm quite enjoying not having to make the effort to go out

Bargainhuntbore · 30/04/2020 12:45

I dont feel locked down. Im working, supermarket shop, walking, running. Kids are bored but fair play they are doing brilliantly. We are really missing football though.

TabbyStar · 30/04/2020 12:47

Mixed. I'm quite enjoying not rushing around but as a company director I've lost a lot of my work and get no Government support so I'm desperately trying to keep clients I've still got happy whilst also developing new services and doing a lot of promotion work, none of which is earning me anything yet, so I'm tired and stressed. I'm not sure my business will survive longer term, which will affect my caring role if I don't have that flexibility, though the upside would be I'd probably earn more in a job if I could get one.

I'm also having to provide much more emotional support to my DM, we lost my DF a few months ago, and as she is no longer able to socialise with her friends more pressure is on me. My DM is v anxious so that affecting my mental health too. I haven't really had any space to grieve myself.

My teen is not too bad though, she's had a few weeping sessions but prefers doing work at home than going to college so her mental health is better.

I just wish there was another adult in the house to take some of the strain. It would be nice to send someone else out for milk and eggs sometimes!

Naithnira · 30/04/2020 12:48

Miserable. So jealous of people who don’t have children and are having a lovely time reading, watching tv, playing games, napping, gardening... I’m stuck on childcare duty 24/7 with no respite because everyone who would babysit is locked down.

Sparklingbrook · 30/04/2020 12:51

I am very grateful I don’t have school aged children. The home schooling thing would not be going well at all.

Honeyroar · 30/04/2020 12:52

In furloughed for two months, generally speaking I’m loving it, but think I won’t have a job at the end of this month, so am v worried and upset. Particularly that I won’t even get to say goodbye to my colleagues or have a last day at work etc.

MorrisZapp · 30/04/2020 12:58

It's fucking terrible. I hate losing my freedom and having crap hair. DS misses school so much it's heartbreaking.

We're all healthy and have no money worries but feelings and mental health don't operate in relation to other people do they.

We'll survive ok, I'm not seriously worried but god this makes me realise how brilliant normal life is.

MadisonAvenue · 30/04/2020 12:59

I’m struggling. I’m missing so much of what was my normal life but was hoping that we’d see the start of the restrictions being relaxed in the coming weeks and that felt a bit like I could see the light at the end of the tunnel...and then today I got a call to say that I’m now on the shielding list and it’s broken me.
I have however spoken with my GP since I was called and he thinks it’s an overreaction where my condition is concerned and rather than being fully shielded I should just continue to be very sensible and careful.

NamedyChangedy · 30/04/2020 13:04

I'm trying to focus on the positives - we have enough space in the house and garden so that it doesn't feel like we're on top of each other. It's been lovely having meals as a family every day, as we rarely had time for that before. And for now, we still have an income.

However, home schooling has been a bit of a disaster - there have been tears every day (sometimes from me) and way too much screen time for the DCs while we work in the afternoons. I'm trying to manage my anxiety levels but really struggling to on most days. Would really love to get back to normal soon!

ThisGunsForHire · 30/04/2020 13:06

I’m loving it. I’m an introvert, so staying home and doing whatever I want to is ideal.

Dowser · 30/04/2020 13:06

If there’s any good coming out of this it’s families who were ships that pass in the night having, hopefully, quality time
Yes, I miss family get togethers but have seen most family members at a safe distance .
Eventhough We spend a lot of time in our homes, I miss the cinema , eating out, the things that make life nice, I do the miss freedom we had and I do worry that has gone for good.
I don’t worry about catching the virus. I’ve battled with my health for years and if I can survive being evacuated from Tenerife airport last month Which was rammed with over 2000 people and on a Plane with 7 strangers all sat around and close to me in the now isolation zone..I honestly don’t think I have anything to worry about

We should’ve been in Dorset this week so I feel sad about that. Wales next week. Can’t go to caravan either

On the plus side I driven to some interesting areas for exercise and have loved the quiet roads...but already that has changed

Dowser · 30/04/2020 13:12

Oh spanneroo...you poor woman
That is just hell
I could weep for you
If you and you’re mum are healthy, I’d go.

TheWaspsAreEverywhere · 30/04/2020 13:16

I'm finding it really difficult, and very quickly spiralling downwards towards a mental health crisis. I'm a single mum to two children (one teen, one pre-teen), and I'm finding the whole thing very stressful. The kids are still seeing their dad on occasion, but I'm finding the isolation very difficult to cope with. I have a partner, but as he has children that he looks after too, we aren't able to move in together. We video call every day, text plenty and talk on the phone, but I'm finding it almost impossible to cope with. I don't have any family nearby, and whilst I do have some good friends and neighbours, I don't really feel that I can burden them with how I'm feeling - we've all got things to deal with. I live rurally, in a beautiful part of the country, and have a lovely home, garden, plenty of places to walk, and I'm okay financially for now so luckier than most, but I am very, very stressed.

I was able to speak to my counsellor this morning via Zoom, which has given me some ways to cope, but I'm not going to be able to manage this for much longer without it having a devastating effect on my mental health.

BlueJava · 30/04/2020 13:17

I feel a bit guilty but actually I am enjoying it. I am very fortunate to have a job I can easily do from home and it keeps me busy 10-ish hours a day. Plus I save with no commute, no car parking, no lunch or coffee bought. I get at least an hour later in bed and get up at 7am not 6am.

I plan my weekends and get housework/washing etc done and with extra time I've cleaned cupboards, oven/hob, cleaned out our wardrobes and drawers. I am not looking forward to going back to the office full time. Tbh most of the people I work with are not in the Uk anyway, and it often made no sense to trek in but be on calls all day then some home.

SurvivingLockdown · 30/04/2020 13:36

Loving it. I love my home and my garden, and wasn't a big socializer before lockdown anyway. I have to plan better, so only take up one online shopping slot per week, but getting used to that too. Got DC home from uni and enjoying having time with them that I wouldn't otherwise have had. I think it's tough on them though, having just got their independence then finding themselves grounded at home through no fault of their own. I'd like to be able to get out to the garden center and get my nails done, but overall no biggy.

FlamedToACrisp · 30/04/2020 13:52

Perfectly happy (and very conscious of my good luck). The only inconveniences are so mild I'm ashamed to mention them, when other people are out there risking their lives, and I have much more time for my main hobbies - creative writing and family history. I could continue for another 2 years if necessary, although I hope I won't have to.

PureedSocksAndPants · 30/04/2020 14:04

I love my home and am introverted by nature so in theory this is ideal but actually not really because everyone is now always at home.

So in reality I never get time alone now which I really hugely miss. That lovely little bit of peace where the house is quiet for an hour or two and I can potter about, gone now 😕

LongTimeJerk · 30/04/2020 14:12

we don't have a garden so that is very hard, I cannot tell you how much TV I have watched and have been very envious of all these people with lovely big gardens when the weather has been nice Envy

my dc are above 18 and it's been fantastic for me to have them with me. I have WOTH full time since my dc were reception age - I usually leave the house at 630am and return at 730pm and only used to see them for little snippets of the evening (they were always asleep when I left for work). I am still working but being here is making such a difference. My one at university hardly ever sees me in the holidays so this is the most time I've spent with her in years and I will always look back on lockdown with fond memories because of that!

Bobbinsmama · 30/04/2020 14:28

There are good days and bad days.

I have a two year old and an 8 month old and before lockdown I used to dread school holidays because the local toddler groups were what kept me sane.

We just moved house in February and our new home needs total renovation. Of course, the tradesmen have all cancelled so now that will have to wait but we don’t even have a sink in our bathroom and there’s a lot of dust.

I’m very grateful that we now have a garden. What I’m finding hardest though is that the two year old talks and asks questions constantly (there’s no sticking him in front of the TV) for 5 minutes peace! I cried the other evening because I can never get through dinner without having to sing/answer questions like ‘would it hurt if you tried to get in a clock?’. I think I’m naturally someone who enjoys time alone so it’s very stressful.

Resisterance · 30/04/2020 14:54

Single mum, self employed, recovering from Corona virus, small child, abusive ex..its a laugh a minute round here!

Octopus37 · 30/04/2020 15:01

Positives: I don't miss the school run
I am enjoying having a bit more sleep
I am enjoying the break from the boys' football
I have had more time to get ready for our house move. cleaning cupboards out etc
WFH isn't too much of a culture shock, I am self-employed but usually get out and about a lot
That's it for the positives.
Negatives: Even though I am just about managing it, I am finding home schooling DS2 who is 10 quite hard, I'm not patient and I hate the abundance of creative and project type work that is still prominent at this stage
I miss my friends
I miss going out for meals, the pub and shopping. Have had the odd take away and virtual pub night which has helped
I miss my family. Worry where my Dad is going to be at the end of this. His partner has dementia, he is coping well (doesn't normally have any outside help) but I think he could be at his limit by the time lockdown finishes
I am fed up of my boys, the noise, he mess, the endless cleaning. Its all very well asking them to help out but it would just result in more rows
I hate having nothing to look forward to as we don't know when this will be over and if things will ever get back to normal.
I'm worried about my work. This year I wanted to change things, I am managing to tread water with what I am earning WFH, but its made me realise how much I want to change things once this is over. I feel that this year has ruined things
I am struggling not to comfort eat, have lost about 10 pounds this year and need to lose a bit more, I am walking and sometimes doing Joe Wickes
I'm not a fan of home. I don't see home as fun, to me it is work and chores. My idea of fun at the moment is actually managing to bag the telly to watch one of my programmes.
I feel guilty for moaning but then resent having to feel guilty cause there's people worse off. Its like if you're not worrying about your health and are upset about superficial things you are wrong, but its hard to help.

Foreverlexicon · 30/04/2020 15:20

I really struggled at first, MH went down the pan but I seem to of settled to it now. Ironic since I go back to work on Monday.

However my partner is 300 miles away caring for her mother who is about to die. I’m finding that unbearable. She only moved down the week before lockdown. I should be there, I don’t know my partners mum well, I’ve only met her once briefly but not being able to support my partner in person is tearing me up. I’ve been off on call for almost a month until Monday and I’m a frontline key worker with a leave embargo in place for the foreseeable future so I had no option to move down there for the duration.