To ask for what you're going to do through this new lockdown to survive - or even thrive?

[loveyouradvice]

I'm keen to hear what's helped you, and thought I'd share what helped me, especially when it surprised me how much it helped.

And I'm aware this is in the context for me at the moment of not having lost anyone - though several relatives are very vulnerable - and being okay financially (yes huge dip in income but have some savings which are enabling us to be okay). I know many others are not so fortunate.

It doesn’t feel like lockdown here. Still quite a lot of traffic on the roads & the store where I work has been really busy. I chose not to work during the last lockdown but actually don’t feel too bad about it this time. Cornwall has very few cases of Covid, although they have increased a bit recently.
DH isn’t working so I can give him a list of jobs! He’s started painting DD’s room & we’re trying to declutter. I had good intentions & a huge to do list before but didn’t get anywhere near as much accomplished as I’d intended. Trying to sort the piles, bags, baskets & suitcases of clothes is the main task today. I’ve been cooking more from scratch plus trying to make room in the freezer. Exercise for me is non existent so need to take action!

I go to a support group for special needs mums (have a autistic daughter)and its open as its allowed as its a support group, 15 maximum people allowed

I'm SO glad to hear this ... at least they've learnt a few things from what they got wrong last time - yup a group of older men IS going to miss some of the obvious!

And Booty what an inspiring post - thank you! Going to take some of that on board

One of the fun things we did with our teen first time round - who is now away at college - was Friday cocktail nights. Each Friday we'd try a new cocktail and get the special glasses out - even the straws and coloured umbrellas.

The other thing I felt very good doing last time and has fallen shamefully by the wayside was ringing one or two of Mum's old friends each week - she has early stages dementia and is in a home - so they are missing her and so am I. I started doing it thinking I must do something that makes a difference to someone - and yes, most of them are elderly and alone - but fast realised it made a huge difference to me too! Even just typing that has made me realise how much it gave me.... going to start doing that again

@loveyouradvice

I go to a support group for special needs mums (have a autistic daughter)and its open as its allowed as its a support group, 15 maximum people allowed

I'm SO glad to hear this ... at least they've learnt a few things from what they got wrong last time - yup a group of older men IS going to miss some of the obvious!

And Booty what an inspiring post - thank you! Going to take some of that on board

One of the fun things we did with our teen first time round - who is now away at college - was Friday cocktail nights. Each Friday we'd try a new cocktail and get the special glasses out - even the straws and coloured umbrellas.

The other thing I felt very good doing last time and has fallen shamefully by the wayside was ringing one or two of Mum's old friends each week - she has early stages dementia and is in a home - so they are missing her and so am I. I started doing it thinking I must do something that makes a difference to someone - and yes, most of them are elderly and alone - but fast realised it made a huge difference to me too! Even just typing that has made me realise how much it gave me.... going to start doing that again

Yes any group that supports new mums, breastfeeding, pnd , disability etc r allowed to run provding its for 15 max, there was a big who har about baby and toddler groups claiming they r support groups to be able to run but all groups i went to like tumble tots etc has postponed.

@loveyouradvice can you link to your gratitude journal

The only thing that has changed for me is that I don't have to chauffeur my kids to gymnastics and dance every evening. I'm still working from home and the kids are still at school so it doesn't really feel any different, I just have less hectic evenings. If it goes on for longer than a month I will start to miss meeting up with friends and family though.

I vow to go for a lunchtime walk every day. Well, the dry ones. Work is actually encouraging it. I’m going to work towards a work qualification too, although I’ll take that in the new year. I won’t be hard on myself and am looking forward to watching The Crown, among other things. In my jammies. 😀

I did get lonely last time. I must keep in touch with my friends more.

Hi ... this is the gratitude journal I'm using ... DH and I doing at the same time and I've given to a couple of other couples... I'm really surprised how these three or four minutes a day are making a difference.....

Start with Gratitude ...www.<a class="break-all" href="https://amazon.co.uk/Start-Gratitude-Journal-Positivity-Happier/dp/1726280594/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&s=books&keywords=start%20with%20gratitude&qid=1604859696&sr=1-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-4072517-To-ask-for-what-youre-going-to-do-through-this-new-lockdown-to-survive-or-even-thrive" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.co.uk/Start-Gratitude-Journal-Positivity-Happier/dp/1726280594/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=start+with+gratitude&qid=1604859696&s=books&sr=1-1

Realise that came across strangely ... it's for anyone, not couples... I'm just loving doing it with someone....

And I think the same company does one for kids: wish I had known about it when mine were young

@MolotovMocktail

What’s helped me is realising that it’s not much of a hardship avoiding pubs and shops for another 3.5 weeks so other people don’t get sick and die. Don’t really see what all the fuss is about tbh.

Same here. Won't make much difference to me really.

Focus on the positive sides. do not dwell on the negatives. It doesn’t do you any good.
I haven’t seen my family in a year (abroad), and won’t see them for at least another 6 months. I haven’t seen most of my friends since february (they are in other parts of the uk, and the time between lockdowns was busy catching up on work and actually do things with the kids, not just next to them.
And i won’t get a bonus this year although I worked straight through (bonus is a significant part of my salary)
But

• skype, zoom etc are amazing
• no commute, so I can do sports!
• the house looks a lot more respectable
• more time with the kids, as no commute

So I think this lockdown will be a piece of cake for me compared to the last one, as the children can still go to school which will make all the difference. Plus last time I had COVID and hoping not to this time!

Fire pit in the garden is a new innovation for us which should be fun. I’ve got an adult scooter which I’m really loving and also we’ve been having lovely walks in the woods. So quite hopeful!