Anyone else having a positive experience right now?

[AFCorona]

Prefacing this, I am totally devastated by all people who are struggling or who have fallen ill or lost loved ones. I miss seeing those I love in person and was gutted to not see Mum and family on Mother’s Day. It’s a given that many people are having a terrible time.

The last two years (2009 in particular) were the absolute worst of my life personally, work was so stressful and I was in a real pit at Christmas. I honestly felt I would never climb out of it.

Since lockdown I’m on a limited rota at work. I have had hours and hours to wind down and to completely clear my mind. I take my daily walk at night and it’s such a spiritual experience. No people, great music in my ears... Last night I shared a still moment with an urban fox!

I have lots of friends and family whom I adore but I am naturally reclusive by nature. I have always been a prepper so other than making sure my friends and family had what they needed (when this all started) I’ve only had to do a top up shop and could actually survive on what I have if there was a literal lockdown.

This morning I have had a delicious cup of coffee, exercised, talked to family and friends by text and am now watching mindless TV and enjoying my scented candle.

I KNOW this is an awful time for many but I just wondered if I’m being unreasonable to be enjoying the positives during this unprecedented situation?

You don’t have kids do you OP? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I am very very pleased that this situation is providing the break your mind needed. Tbh, I’d probably enjoy it too if I wasn’t having to keep two kids entertained. I’d read, practise my music, write, watch films, do yoga, all sorts. So I completely understand

The govt and employers in general need to take note that so many of us have gone into lockdown with a huge sigh of relief, not having to do the 12 hour days of work, commuting & school run we’re used to.
When the dcs are back at school, desirable employers will be those who allow home working at least twice a week.

I’m retired and live alone but am normally out a lot so the first few days were a bit of a shock to the system.

Basically I have moved my life online (activities and friends) and I’m having more contact rather than less. I’m being forced into keeping my house tidy and getting jobs done which were on the back burner because there was always something more interesting to do. I’m also amazed by the ingenuity of people in creating online activities and events just to keep us amused.

Having said that, I have an elderly relative who will certainly die if they contract CV, as well as friends who overnight have found themselves with no income. I am worried for my ex-colleagues (NHS) and a close relative who is dealing with CV patients every day. As well as all essential workers - some of whom, like the retail staff, didn’t sign up for any of this.

I think after all this there will be a re think of how we work and also how we educate children. I've seen on a similar thread that people have seen an improvement in their child's behaviour since school closed and home learning began, which makes me think education in this country needs a re-think. Last year I took dc out of school for a week for a holiday, got a strongly worded letter from the local authority, and was made to feel terrible as "every lesson counts". Now all I'm seeing on social media is teachers saying to parents to not to stress about home schooling and focus on the health and well-being of children. This is something I have always seen as a priority, but maybe this will be a wake up call to schools and they will no longer be putting pressure on primary school aged children to pass certain tests.

Totally agree OP. Our lives haven't changed too much, DH and I both WFH primarily and have continued to do so.

Not having to see my inlaws is a total win (!) but not being able to see my own parents is a bummer.
We definitely need to look for the silver linings

@JudyCoolibar do you have any suggestions? 😂
I've ended up arguing with my mother before whenever I broach the subject. She thinks because she's my mum she can turn up whenever, for however long she likes. I do love her but it drives me round the twist. She really takes offence when I say please just text first at least!

Atm I'm embracing the lockdown- dont have to see a friend who always puts soo much pressure on me to see her/do stuff with her despite the fact I work all week, have 3 kids one SEN plus a DH with mental health problems and I need to fit in seeing my parents, other friends and going to the gym too. In recent years I've become a bit of an introvert and dont wanna go out partying like she does, don't wanna be out till 3am and just want a long soak in the bath with a film and a cuppa

I’ve lost every penny of my income and I’m not entitled to any help from the govt. obviously miss my family and friends and scared that I or anyone I know will get sick.

But! I love the absolute lack of pressure
Every day I get up and other than care for the dog, I’ve got nothing I have to do.

I’m SE so normally even days off I am getting work calls, or just have to go to work, or I’m working on drumming up business or always looking for opportunities to expand my business, then I work so many hours that I know I need to do more housework, shopping, spend more time with the dog, my OH, see my family, make some effort with friends, there’s DIY to be done other projects to plan, I’m saving money for x y z

But I can’t do anything right now, and my income is at zero so I just have to accept that too for time being, nothing to save, nothing to work a few extra hours for. I’m reading, taking baths, watching tv shows I’ve always wanted to see but not had the time for, seeing OH, spending time working and training with the dog, going for lovely walks and listening to my podcasts, cooking, even enjoying having to eat all the food, rather than looking at full cupboards and a fridge and not wanting to eat or cook any of it and going out for food instead. I’m really enjoying it, but I don’t want to say in real life as everyone around me seems to be hating it.

That's a lovely post OP, and you sound like a really well - grounded person to me.

The spiritual is everywhere for those that are able to see it.

Following on from @divafever99
I think that people will start to realise that schools are first and foremost about childcare. Historically that was the school's role, along side a basic understanding of maths and literacy.

I am normally so busy- 4 kids and final year of midwifery degree- the school run, homework, my own work, working full time at the hospital (for no money). I’ve got 3 weeks off to finish my dissertation but I handed that in last week. I’m just home with my kids all the time, doing minimal school work, baking, walking the dog, doing little activities. It’s really nice! I’ll be back in the hospital after Easter and then all hell will break loose (final year students to join the workforce) so I’m enjoying the calm before the storm

The bits I’m appreciating are having a clear enough mind to start reading again, and feeling calm enough to think straight.

I miss seeing my Dad though.

Not unreasonable at all. It's an intelligent way to think, you're making the best of a really bad situation.
I've lost my job, I'm pregnant and my house move has fallen through (moan, moan-dont worry I know I'm still one of the people who are better off!)
But I am still grateful for this time to share of just me and my husband before we have no time for each other, and the time to be completely selfish with my time before baby comes.

I really do think the skies seem clearer and the air seems cleaner. Never been an environmentalist type but think there’s definitely some green good comin from all this. The birds seem to even be singing louder than usual

I think it's a nice thing to look for the positives, it doesn't mean we're downplaying the bad element.

I was worried about being in the house all the time, I have deep seated issues about it but I'm really trying to embrace it.

I'm still at work for the NHS, but I've been redeployed into an urgent role which is both a massive career opportunity and very flexible, so I can work from home when I need to.

I'm being far more conscientious about the time I spend with my children, and as a result they've had some amazing quality time with me these past couple of weeks.

I'm saving a lot of money by not going out and frittering on my coffees and Primark habit.

I'm speaking (virtually and over the phone) to far more people than I would have usually.

And finally my car (and the environment) is getting a rest from all the driving and sitting in traffic I normally do.

I am a freelancer so always made sure I have saved to cover periods of no work. There is literally nothing as my industry has shut down. There are no clubs, activities, visits or other social expectations on me.

The absence of guilt is so freeing and so different from a 'lazy day' at home normally.

My kids are 7 and 5 and school is setting work but stress that there's no need to do it if kids don't want to.

I'm a prepper so can stay away from food chaos and live out of the freezer for weeks.

DH is home 24/7 and instead of a stressful commute plays football in the garden with DS.

I am making an effort to speak to friends and family every day and connect much more with my local community & neighbours.

I'm going to miss this time.

I'm certainly looking for and finding more positives than I did in the Before Times.

I saw a fox crossing the road this morning I wouldn't normally have seen, love walking in the sun and quiet and seeing no planes in the sky. Taken up with my colouring books again and enjoying reading again when I hadn't had time previously.

I'm happy for people who are finding a silver lining but I want one myself.
Last year was awful, I saw this year as a new start but it's worse than last year even before this happened.

I am living my best life. Obviously I'm aware of how horrible this situation is and I am worried sick I might catch it or my husband ad leave our daughters with no parents, I've terrible anxiety but on a whole, when I can push the anxiety to the back of my mind I am so so happy

I love having the kids at home, my eldest is only in reception so shes not exactly been there long but I love having them home and not having to go anywhere. I love doing bits of education with her, shes been astounding me with her knowledge, the two DC have been playing lovely together, there have been fights and tension at times to of course but the little one is loving having big sister home. We're incredibly lucky though, we live on a farm so do have to get outside to do jobs every day and I've got a big chest freezer so not going without. We're doing lots together as a family.

We are missing friends dont get me wrong and I am missing work but honestly if I won the lottery i dont think my life would be much different, just less worry and a bit more seeing friends

I wasn't ready to go back after maternity leave but didnt have much choice. Now I get to work from home 3days a week instead and I get to see my hubby loads more too.

I'll actually be a little sad when lockdown is finished as I'm really enjoying the family time!!

I have a quite high pressure job and no kids. Am currently at home and working from home, although most of the job needs to be done face to face so I'm doing 2 or 3 hours a day. The rest of the time I'm reading, exercising, tidying, or gardening.

It's brilliant.

it's OK - I definitely have ups and downs, the downs can be triggered by really petty things.
But generally, no money worries, live alone so nobody to get annoyed with with no escape, private access to a couple of local garden spaces, shops seem to have relatively normal supplies.

I have had a really lovely week at home with my daughter I have to admit. No pressure to do anything, go anywhere or see anyone. Back to work tomorrow though as a GP. 😥

I have an underlying feeling of sickness and anxiety however I totally understand where you are coming from.

My 3 kids are doing ok so far, my husband is on furlough from a job he HATED so he is in a brilliant mood and I am on a rota as a key worker of only being in work every 3rd day. I dont have to do the hideous school/ childcare drop twice a day and I've got loads of time to concentrate on my MA assignments.

I'm cooking and cleaning and doing yoga and making plans for the future. So other than crying my eyes out this morning because I cant see my best friend on her birthday I am doing alright.

Yes, we're having a good time. Dwelling on the misery and spending your time reading depressing news and social media stories is really unhealthy and shocking for your mental health.

We're in the middle of redecorating the living room - should be finished by the end of this coming week. We've gone out on some lovely dog walks, mowed the lawn and sat out in the garden, watched a load of films on Disney+ and generally just enjoyed the down-time.

I refuse to feel bad about it. Wallowing at home won't change anything.