Lockdown 2: finding a positive mindset

[LeopardPrintKnickers]

I know that for many in the UK a second lockdown is going to potentially batter our finances, businesses and jobs, as well as our mental health. I have friends and family who were barely clinging on with their fingertips and now lockdown is happening again, can feel themselves spiralling downwards.

With that in mind, what did you do last time or could do this time to spark a little joy or at least offer a brief reprieve from the worry, isolation and unhappiness? Whether it's going for a walk in the woods, lighting some candles, enjoying a nice meal or watching a movie, is there anything that you'll be doing during lockdown to feel like you're treating yourself or trying to find the positives in an utterly shitty situation?

I thought this might be a good place to share ideas to give us a lift at a time when we all are going to need it.

We find good series on Netflix etc and all sit down together in the evening to watch an episode or two. We connect with adult kids who are normally hanging out in their bedrooms and try to make it nice with popcorn, choc etc. It helps to have some nice time at the end of the day. Then DH and I fall into bed and say " that's another day done ! " It gets us through !
Ps we are on The Queens Gambit at present which is excellent.

I have bought some books and I plan to go for a walk every day that I can. I will still be working.
I need to not eat as much as I did last time, but I won't be learning a foreign language or redecorating the house.

Last time we had BBQs, went for evening walks, when we were allowed we went for socially distanced walks with family, set up my work laptop at the patio table... this time there’ll be none of that. It’s already cold, rainy and dark by 4:30. I started running in September and I’ve felt amazing but yesterday I had to wade through puddles to manage my run and today it didn’t stop raining til 4pm by which time I could already see the sun starting to set. Yesterday I felt great, today I feel despair. I had to have the light on until lunch time while I worked in the dining room, staring at those same 4 walls and that bloody computer screen all day long.

flapjack yes, love this idea. Our kids are younger, but we also try and do similar to be all together at the end of the day.

sparkling yes to the reading - by not commuting and being able to tick off the odd small chore during the day, it seems to have freed up time that I can now indulge in more reading which is always a plus.

ladycat oh I hear you. I've sat at the same spot in the kitchen since early March and I feel like I'm going loopy. Bloody laptop, bloody dining chair, bloody everything. Well done for the running though - this is insanely awesome.

My parents are struggling at the idea of lockdown again so I've suggested short walks, good movies, delicious meals, creating new routines with treats along the way, even scented candles, jigsaws, delivery meals from local restaurants... anything to lift their spirits.

I am hoping for some dry weather at the weekends (ha as if) to take DS out on his bike. I am also going to re watch GOT from the beginning so I have something to look forward to watching each night after DS is asleep. I am going to try and make different food for tea instead of the usual.