This lockdown is forcing a reset for the planet.

[XingMing]

Where we are, it's rural, beautiful and in fine weather (after six months of rain) this lockdown seems like an opportunity rather than a penance. It's spring, we are gardening. The air is fresher, the sky is clearer, emissions are down across the planet. It's not exciting, but it is an interlude to enjoy family life before DS leaves home for university and starting his career. It's a very special time and I shall treasure the memory of this month. Am I alone in making the most of the moment? (We have aged parents to worry about too but as they are well into their 80s, I know they are not bothered about getting the telegram from the Palace.)

I get it too. Finding positives in the midst of horror is hardly a crime. Finding pleasure in small things is keeping me sane

Same

It's a terribly scary time, and everyone is more stressed than usual. Having said that, I'm another one of the immensely privileged who still has a job (as does DH) and a home/garden to spend this time in. I'm appreciating those aspects much more than usual, and I'm also grateful for the mandated opportunity to take my boys for their daily exercise (they'd refuse to come with me during normal life). I've also stopped a few times to listen to the quieter roads and marvel at the birds. When we come out of this I will remember those parts fondly, whilst also appreciating the misery of the global situation.

We also have to consider if we dont change our way of life soon, we will be in this situation again very soon due to climate change. The amount of people that will die and the amount of societal disruption from this will be dwarfed by the disasters that occur. Diseases now isolated in the tropics or inside arctic ice (been frozen away for 10 000 years so we don't have an immunity) will spread as climate heats up.

I'm not allowed to go into work, have a health condition and I'm in the group they are keeping off to keep safe.

My DH work comes under essential ,so he's still going to work . I feel so guilty for loving being at home and just being a housewife , no DC (we have put TTC on hold ).

It isn't going to be the same for everyone. Some are having a dreadful, scary time, worried about their children, money, food. Others are not finding it too bad and actually appreciate what they have, it doesn't mean they don't sympathise with others whose circumstances are different.

@Lynda07 I agree. And if we can help make it easier for the people who are having a scary time, let's do it. But we can do that without telling people off for being able to enjoy this time. In fact, people who can stay cheerful are super useful at a time like this.

I would love to go out and garden it honestly sounds lovely OP and if you can enjoy this time you should.

Here dh and I both self employed and income has gone to practically 0. We are living off the leftovers of our food cupboard this morning - on the plus side today I learned my 4 year old like cuppa soups.

It's a very special time and I shall treasure the memory of this month. Am I alone in making the most of the moment?

It's a shit time. Whilst my job is ok at the moment, if it goes in for too long, I'm screwed. At this point in time, I really couldn't give two shits about emissions and air quality.

You're post is insulting to everyone who is working to keep this country running.
Your relaxing little retreat sounds idyllic but if you care to look outside your cosy world for one moment you might think of ways in which you could be using some of this time to help others in your community.
I say this from my equally privileged position.

YOUR - typing in the dark - no glasses on!

Whilst you muse about how this is a blessing...maybe spare a thought, that others may have preferred this not to happen..

Shame on you OP, shame on you.

This.

Some bitter people on here.

@Marieo more like some very worried people I'd suggest.

I'm very privileged during this, my job is safe, dh can continue to do his well paid job at home indefinitely and we live in a decent sized house with a lovely garden to enjoy with our two teenagers.

I'm still struggling to see which part of thousands of people dying or at the very least being scared, financially ruined or struggling mentally you are enjoying?
I'm part of society, this isn't just about me,

This last month has been vvv lonely and stressful but also more relaxing. Dh has it. He is vvv ill. Struggling to breath at night but not bad enough for hospital. Im parenting on my own, in total lockdown. My own business is gone and i cant work nhs as im in isolation and dont get paid if not working. Im not thinking about money at the moment. Ill sort it after this, we need food etc. However i have a tiny patch of garden, the sun is shinning and for the first time in years i cant work so im being forced to spent time playing. Its surreal, im enjoying that bit and feeling more relaxed than inshould bearing in mind ive ill dh, no money and worry re house. Im doing my best to keep dd away from dh which is why ive decamped to the garden. A very strange time

Abosultely Phil

It really is a case of how can we sleep while our beds are burning?

Xing there is a new category where TVTMBN is not mentioned. Bring your thread over there.

I'm not privileged, nor do I have someone to sit in the garden and treasure moments of tranquility with and I am desperately anxious that my DC's or me will contract the virus; DC is police officer and I am NHS frontline clinician.

But I can see where you're coming from @XingMing. On my one outing per day I've noticed things in nature I wouldn't have usually. Where I live people are definitely observing social distancing and being respectful of each other. I am changing my habits for the better.

Out of the devastation I see the aftermath of this pandemic as offering a window of opportunity for a radical change to the way global human society is structured and organised, into a fairer and more equitable system of production and distribution for all and I'm not a dreamer by any means. I had considered starting a thread about that actually, but I didn't because I thought I'd get exactly the same kind of responses that you have. I've never known MN to be such a vicious and hateful place as it's turning out to be now, understandable though it is that people are very frightened.

Enjoy your time with your family OP. None of us know what's around the corner.

I get you OP
It does seem nice for the planet to have a break from the constant pollution caused by us humans going about our daily lives.

I'm lucky enough to be able to work from home as is my DP. However this is not so easy when trying to look after & homeschool our primary aged children at the same time. I've been trying to clear my garden (which again I know I'm v lucky to have!) but the council have helpfully now closed the local tip, so lord knows what we will do with the huge pile of green waste 🤷‍♀️

Things to be thankful for include:
No school runs
Spending time with my kids (i'm one of those who loves the school hols)
Having a DH who i get on well with (mostly!)
Being able to help my isolated elderly parents by doing their shopping for them
Living in a lovely community in London where my neighbours have dropped notes through our door to say here's my number call if you heed anything. And where local teenagers have sorted out and cleaned their old board games & left out for younger kids to take.
The internet - so we can all chat to our mates / family
Yoga
Netflix
Joe Wicks

But equally i'm feeling sad about those who rent, are self employed, have 5 kids in a flat with no garden, or have abusive partners.

I'm also astounded that the government are planning to just shut up shop & take their holiday early - whilst many will die & our crumbling health service struggles on

So yes there are some nice positive things in my world too. And for my own mental health I'm focusing on them!

We are two key workers who have to go out to work, have elderly relatives to care for, have to juggle childcare between us with no support and help two children home school. We have the real threat of at least one job loss. No, not seeing it in quite the same sunny way as you!

It's a very special time and I shall treasure the memory of this month. Am I alone in making the most of the moment?

I think you are a complete lunatic.

@LosingMyShitHere my point is the competitive misery doesn't actually solve anything and keeping mentally well is really important. Some people just like to wallow and make a big show of feeling sad.

Sitting at home feeling miserable won't actually make the virus go away. If won't make you less likely to get sick. It won't change anything on a global scale. OP sitting in her garden enjoying the company of her son won't stop what's happening - in fact - she's following expert advice and doing something which is probably far more beneficial to her mental than sitting about whining about the lack of bread in Tesco.

And while it absolutely is a shit time for some people, sitting around worrying doesn't actually change that. Government and WHO advice is to stay the fuck at home until this is over.

There's nothing wrong with seeing the benefits of that. Not everyone has to be miserable all the time - won't change anything will it?

It's great for nature, what a good time just as spring starts, no human activity to disturb the birds and animals.
I take great solace in that
Beautiful day again today

I’m enjoying myself too being at home with my husband everyday! Good to remember that the planet is in trouble and it’s humans fault - we aren’t the most important and only being on the planet, it’s good to remember that! I hope we learn how to stop ruining the planet now that we’ve had this time to let it reset a little bit! People on here are so doom and gloom and can’t look on then bright side! There may be no planet left for our kids future if we are not careful and this period might just give it a little help!

Seems a lot of People on here think the only thing that’s important is human life and couldn’t give a shit about anything else or saving the planet ffs