How are you REALLY finding lockdown?

[MinnieAnonyMouse]

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!

I'm just so angry every day, mostly because the mouthpieces of the government Her Majesty's overpaid loons in suits keep treating us like children, by refusing to tell us anything apart from fiddled figures, and it feels like every day we are walking a step closer to 1984, with the "clap for the NHS" actually encouraging this. I suspect that when lockdown is over, and we're distracted by the relief of this, they're going to quietly sneak in much greater surveillance measures for if a second lockdown is needed.

Are they making plans to deal with the economic devastation that is to follow? Are they making plans to deal with the mental health crisis? How can business plan any sort of return if we're told absolutely nothing? Do they realise that the NHS is funded by people working? Do they realise that the longer this extremely damaging lockdown goes on, the greater the economic carnage will be? Do they not realise that the simmering anger people feel may eventually become civil disobedience and riots? This might happen some time after lockdown is lifted, as people realise that their futures have been irreversibly decimated.

I want to live, not merely exist.

*@wanderings@ I feel exactly the same. Although my anger is slowly evolving into despondency. By the time we are allowed out again, I'm not sure I'll actually have the motivation to bother.

Pretty horrendous. My toddler has additional needs and nursery was my restbite. I'm feeling so suffocated and finding it harder and harder to entertain him. We can technically drive for exercise due to medical need but all parks have closed their car parks so there's no where to go. I also have pretty severe anxiety at the moment and am not sleeping. It's not knowing when this will end that is the worst part. If I had a date - some hope - I think I'd feel better about it.

In all honesty, the only reason I'm struggling is because I'm supposed to be getting married in December, and I'm worried about that.

That aside, it's boring, but fine, although the dc are spending WAY too much time on screens. I'm conscious that we are in a fortunate position and spend a lot of time feeling guilty about worrying because of the bloody wedding.

I'm coping fine, its just me and the dog. I don't miss a soul which says a lot I suppose. I have a garden to enjoy the outdoors. I'm WFH which gives some structure to the week.

It is at least as much fun as not being locked down. Certainly not in any rush to be out and about yet.

Grand, I could do with a few more hours in the day though. Both dh and I are working from home and work is really busy. There are times I'm working until 11pm. The children are 11 and 13 so old enough to amuse themselves, do their work, contact friends etc. I have too much going to spend anytime dwelling on the situation.

Pretty shit to be honest. Live alone in a flat so no garden, working from home, and feeling very lonely and isolated. I really miss my boyfriend, and my friends, and my colleagues, and generally seeing people in person. I really need a hug but probably not gong to get one for another month if lockdown is extended.

I'm absolutely hating it. I'm on furlough and worried about my job, stuck in a flat with DS so we have no outdoor space to enjoy, I'm struggling to get DS to do any schoolwork, I'm missing my family and friends. DS is hating lockdown as well, he's an only child and is bored with no one of his own age to play with. I'm an extrovert and really struggling without social interaction.

I cannot wait until I can go back to work, DS can go back to school and I can hug my mum. I'm not bothered about pubs, restaurants being open, I just want to be able to see the people I care about.

The only thing I miss is walking with one of my friends and seeing her dog and mine play together as they are best friends.

DH is WFH, DS1 is doing uni from home, DD is studying for 4 A levels and DS2 is working towards his GCSEs.

I'm in a routine of doing all my housework, washing, walking the dog, prepping meals and any baking in the morning then doing more fun things in the afternoon. I'm in my bedroom all afternoon as DH is working in the lounge then we sit together after dinner.

DH and I have done two massive shops and the kids accept they have to eat what I have planned.

I am prepared for the whole of May to be the same and I just hope it is over soon so I can have an appointment I would appreciate.

Im in a lucky place too. WFH so still getting paid the same plus it gives me a reason to get up in the morning. Garden, live in the countryside so dont see anyone when I do go out. Saving lots of money by not driving here, there and everywhere every day. (no work and no clubs means I only drive to the supermarket once a week)

Having said that I've got into the habit of wanting it to end. Or at least wanting something to be lifted. The DCs are fed up and really need a break from each other that schools give them. My parents are missing us and DH would love to check up on MIL (over 70 and has COPD).

I keep watching the news and checking all the threads on here for some positive news when personally for me I'm fine. Just got a little obsessed by it all really. This can't be good for my mental health.

Struggling a bit now. OH furloughed so he's mainly working on his cars so out of my way. I'm wfh but struggling to get much done due to my DS13 being a lazy arse so I have to make sure he's up at a decent time and ready to do school work. He has a lot of it. He is of the age were he should be able to crack on but frustratingly, I still have to supervise. This is not a new thing, it's just being blown up because he's at home 5 days a week and not at school. He needs constant pushing, nagging, snacks and 'breaks'. He starts stuff, doesn't finish it, the work piles up. Doesn't help that some teachers are sending other messages via the homework app, fun things to do, games to play, guidance. It just clutters up the to do list (i'm not ungrateful, but it's not helpful to.my son who has zero interest in doing anything 'extra').
So.im struggling with that and trying to do the very few bits I can do from.home. it also doesn't help that we seem.to be having regular Zoom and Team conference video calls to check in with other staff and management. A bit like regular meetings, they can drag on and on unnecessarily.
Overall, I'm grateful to have a job and still be paid but I am finding it hard work as I'm still working, trying to teach my son or rather make him do work, and keep on top of the household chores, shop for us and my dad etc.
I'm trying not to stress about the school work and keep reminding myself that as long as he does a bit a day, it's better than nothing but why oh why can I not have a kid who can just look at what he has to do, crack on and just ask me if and when he gets stuck? Would make my life so much easier! As I said, not a new lockdown thing, he's just lazy and he would do.nothing given half the chance. I'm getting fed up of the memes about chilling out and how it's more important to keep your child safe etc than do school work - I'd rather my child didnt fall behind with work if I can help it.
Sorry for the rant, haven't been able to get that off my chest anywhere else.

Doing my fucking head in. Can't wait for it to be over. Get them kids back to school

Inconsistent. Some days, it’s fine. I enjoy not having to commute, I enjoy that our favourite restaurants are doing takeout. I enjoy being able to put a load of washing on as my work break or have poached eggs for my lunch. We don’t live near family so not seeing them is the norm. We are also both quite introverted so we’re not out every night.

Other days, I feel really down. I’m lucky to be wfh but I’m in a job that I hate (and have hated for a while). The parts of my job that I enjoy and that mean I can cope with my job are all cancelled due to lockdown. I’m also getting missed out of meetings and emails, so I’m feeling really forgotten about my team. I feel incredibly guilty for having a job that I hate when so many other people have lost their job or been furloughed. I don’t have the attention span at the moment to ‘better myself’ by doing course or read or even get into a TV series. I can’t seem to focus on anything. I just about have the attention span to look for new jobs (there are none) and play shitty games on my phone. All our plans are out of the window. Holiday cancelled. Weekend away is likely cancelled. TTC postponed. Nothing to look forward to this year, don’t know when I will travel to see family again. It’s pretty much May and the rest of the year is just nothingness. DH had a pay cut (but still working) so all our savings plans are thrown off course. Again, I feel guilty that I’m worried about my savings when people are wondering how to pay their mortgage. Have a garden but it’s an absolute shit hole and not somewhere that is nice to spend any time. I’m desperate to go somewhere further than 5 miles away.

I am enjoying not doing the school run, having to cajole DD into getting ready every day and me panicking that I have a v short space of time before drop off and when I start work! Also enjoying not having to do swimming lessons and other school outings etc. I'm an introvert so I have to say I don't really miss anyone apart from my lovely Mum.

I hate wfh and home schooling at the same time. I would be fine wfh if I didn't have to coax my DD (age 8) into every single bit of work, only for her to wander off just when I think she's getting started and ask me for endless snacks. DD definitely needs to go back to school. She is an only child and I am a lone parent. She needs to socialise and I really need some me time (even if it is at work!). I would like to have a day where I don't feel guilty about not being able to get her to do most of her schoolwork. I know its irrational, she is young, she is a bright girl, I know she will catch up but my own head is driving me bonkers!!

In an ideal world I would like to wfh maybe one day a week but I think because I am a lone parent I do actually need to have that social interaction with adults otherwise I would start to go a bit crazy.

On the outside I'm coping fine with it because I don't want to add to everyone else's load, but I'm really struggling and so sad that I can't see my family who I usually see 3 times a week. They're missing so much with my DD and are likely to miss her first birthday too. I understand the need to stay home and have been following all the rules, I'm just so sad

I am very grateful for extra time with my small children. I also appreciate not having to rush around in the mornings.

I'm bored. I see my family every few weeks usually but I'm not really missing them because I can ring them if I need to. I'm tired and want to sleep a lot but can't because I have to support my children's learning. I'm fed up of cooking even though dh is doing more than half of it. I should be using this time to do my hobbies but I can't get in the mood or right frame of mind for it. I'm not finding it difficult but I am getting more apathetic the longer it goes on.

I am shaking my head at those posters saying they will ignore the lockdown and go out visiting families if it is extended. That behaviour is exactly why it will be extended again. People are dying ffs. It is not just about a £30 fine. It is about getting it without realising and passing it on and potentially killing people. I am gobsmacked at the selfishness of some people, or their ignorance.

really really hard. I'm a single parent working full time and trying to home educate. My job has never been busier. it's exhausting and relentless and stressful. there is no one to help and no let up.

Same as several here - single parent so trying to homeschool while working full time from home in a job that expects my full attention and is as busy now as it was before all this. I'm exhausted, and frustrated that all those 'little things' people say you can do while at home right now I can't do. I still have no real free time in the same way I didn't have any before Corona, and I'm not sure why that is either really. Don't see family or friends much so no change there.

I am really enjoying not doing the madness that is the school run and crazy commute to and from work though. That's the only good I have in all of this. And luckily DC is an introvert like me so doesn't seem phased by the current situation.

In some ways we're very lucky- we live rurally in a beautiful holiday destination, within walking distance of the sea (or of a tidal creek, with the DC ), with a garden, and an allotment. The weather's been beautiful, so we've been outside (safely) loads and loads and loads.

But...I'm a lone parent, I'm autistic, and have always known that full time, stay at home parenting is not for me. The careful routine of school and childcare that I set up to keep myself sane is non existent now, and I'm finding it very hard to cope with the lack of time to myself, and the fucking noise. DS2 is 4, and still screeches, wails and whinges at the slightest excuse, and DS1 shouts, strops and bangs.

I'm self employed, and still have a bit of work to be getting on with, but am finding it near impossible when I have the kids at home all day. I managed an hour last night, but I normally do it in my workshop, and it's uncomfortable and messy at the kitchen table. And I'm normally too drained, after a day with them. Which makes me feel like a complete failure, TBH.

I don't even make them do their schoolwork, really, although I have made DS1 keep a nature diary , and a recipe book, as I'm teaching him to cook, and we all read loads.

So, overall, it's like an endless Sunday, and I feel that I'm gradually losing my sense of self.

People are dying ffs.
Indeed they are. Of suicide because of depression, low mental health, financial worries, worried they might never see their family again, the feeling that their future is ruined and there is nothing left to live for, all brought about by this lockdown beloved by MN.

In all honesty fine.

That said, I have a good size house where we all have our own space and large garden.

Son is a teen (who likes studying) so is cracking on with his school work without any intervention.

DH is wfh (in endless conf calls) in a safe sector so we've no financial pressure.

I'm between jobs on garden leave but will start new job in a few months (again safe sector).

That said I think some of it is to do with personality. I've always enjoyed my own company and never been overly sociable.

I'm enjoying the time doing various projects round the house I never had time for previously. Enjoying cooking (something I like anyway) and the opportunity to cook foods that take longer to prepare/cook. Aside from family I'm not missing anyone .

My DF is the same and I think aside from seeing me and my DS could live in lockdown indefinitely.

DS is happy enough and socially interacting with friends online. He's missing school lessons but not much else.

On the other hand DH and my DM are finding it much harder. Despite us all being lucky re: having lots of space they are finding the loss of social contact more difficult.

As personalities they are much more outgoing.

They are making the most of it with online catch ups but are definitely feeling "trapped" and my DM in particular is starting to have cabin fever (though she won't break guidelines).

Frankly I just feel very lucky. I can imagine it being much, much harder (under said) if I was wfh and trying to homeschool young kids and had limited space.

I am struggling. My anxiety has gone up due to an abusive family member who I can't currently avoid. Normally I'd either take Resident Collie for a long walk (basically book a field with seating for an hour) in the company of a friend who owns her brother or spend a few hours shuffling between benches at a shopping centre to avoid being at home during times she could be visiting her parents. It got to the point that a couple of weeks ago someone ringing my doorbell set palpitations off for 6-7 hours and ended with me sat in A&E. All because I'd though this cousin had been at the door.
I cannot wait for this to all be over so I can put my house on the market, sell up and move away to save my sanity.