Glass half full thread

[Pipanchew2]

Hi all,
Coronavirus is really awful and terrifying especially for vulnerable people. I’m finding im getting quite anxious about it and have been trying to think of the silver linings/ glass half full point of view: does anyone else have any that I haven’t thought of?

• reduced pollution
• families spending more time together with home working - this is especially true for us as DH usually only sees the kids just before bed but now he’s working at hone
• maybe I’ll lose some weight as I can’t go to cafes / restaurants

Would love to see thoughts from others to help me stay positive in these difficult times

Stay safe x

Finding / trying different things to cook & eat (due to necessity).
Time to spring clean.
Time to do some gardening.

Getting to laugh to yourself at the fact that you're at your home, participating in a video conference with some big shots and wearing a very respectable looking top (on camera) as well as your oldest pair of leggings and fuzzy socks (off camera).

Getting to "meet" the bum of my colleague's cat (also on camera).

@AwdBovril not sure how much spring cleaning will get done with two little ones in tow but definitely can get them involved in the garden!

Ooh and I forgot to add: day time tv 😊

Longer term I think there may be some benefits (although clearly not enough to outweigh the negatives)

• Employers/employees may realise working from home and staggered hours are more possible than they thought
• People getting to know their neighbours, more people joining online community groups
• More people will give up smoking maybe? I hope?
• Less FOMO/envy of amazing holidays and social lives as nobody is having them...!

Brexpat at the cat’s bum

My cat will be delighted by all this, she loves attention and having us around. So that’s a positive.

Just had to cancel our Centre Parcs holiday next week 😩
Glass half full: we can use the refund to do something fun as a family once this is all over and DH can cancel his leave easily so we’ve still got time to do something. Also the biggy: we’re all still healthy!

Life has slowed down. I have been naturally cutting out non essentials for a bit anyway but had to go out yesterday for therapy, and I was struck by how quiet it was, in a good way - those who were out were calm and happy. I don’t think it will last once the peak is over but I sort of wish it would.

I’ve been having a breakdown for about a year, my MH has been horrific. And much as I’m getting waves of panic about the virus (not in particularly high risk groups but I get the “what if” feeling etc) it’s actually been useful distraction and putting things in perspective for me.

I’ve been throwing myself into being practical and prepared for any quarantine or lockdown, and I’m counting a lot of blessings, for example the fact that we were housed by the council in 2018 and where we live now is actually going to be a nice, warm, spacious place to hide away, compared to our tiny private rental which didn’t even have heating that worked.

Well I suppose we can all do the house admin/decorating we've been putting off?

Yes agree with that one! I reckon we can declutter more with less outside obligations

More appreciation of outside/fresh air/nature I hope.

In a roundabout way I’m hoping for more understanding/less stigma around home educating (although home ed during school closures will of course be very different - HE for us normally means we aren’t actually home much) and also more appreciation of the huge and vital work teachers do in schools. I’m now in a group where home ed parents are offering advice and ideas to those now keeping their kids at home, it’s really lovely actually, everyone working together, no judgment.

Apparently survivors of severe CV can be left with ME type symptoms, which is terrifying if it happens in huge numbers, but I’m quietly wondering if it’ll lead to more understanding of illnesses like these

It occurred to me just now that maybe another benefit is that the strain on NHS over other illnesses will reduce. It always shocks me how many try and get antibiotics for a cold, or seek treatment for things that can be dealt with easily at home or by a quick chat with a pharmacist etc. Presumably people are thinking more carefully now about whether they want to risk a trip to the GP or walk in centre, because of the risk of CV - so maybe that will continue after?

I actually also realised I’ve heard less sirens (live near a big hospital) over the last few days. Maybe with less people out there’ll be less traffic accidents, muggings, etc...

Ooh and I might finally use that tin of green lentils that’s been at the back of the cupboard for ages.

All my dc's extra curricular activities have been cancelled until we're told otherwise. No running around in the evening is a silver lining but dc will be a bit disappointed.

I love having the dc home in the holidays but we'll miss seeing grandparents & getting out to the beach/woods etc. We'll be giving our (small) garden a good tidy up & hopefully enjoying some nice family time.

Obviously I'm keeping everything crossed that our friends & family stay healthy & happy.

:o at lentils. Yes, I am gradually becoming more vigilant about food waste which is long overdue (the adhd meds help too though)

Barely any fresh veg in Asda today but I’m about to chop up some celery and leek as a sauce base to freeze in bags.

Also at least nobody is panic buying games... got these bargains :o

We won’t have to suffer the insufferable in-laws. Mean, I know, but they really are toxic.

I've always thought that there must be great benefits to homeschooling but been too conformist to give it a go.

Strike "colleague's cat".

It's an army of cats. Cats galore, a feline tsunami.

I'm realising just how much one's work experience can be improved by the simple addition of cats.

On a global level:
I'm hoping it might give nature a bit of time to breathe with less air and road travel and less human impact out and about.
Wondering if people will have a new appreciation for their friends and families and the outside world after being separated.
I'm hoping it changes some employment practices and crappy sick pay policies etc
More bonding within families.

On a personal level: I could maybe get through the awkward stage of growing out my pixie cut in relative privacy

Ooh and I wonder if the NHS will get a revamp as people realise it is really not ok to run it into the ground

Unless I need to isolate I will be required to work, possibly extended hours. I can see though that for us things will have a definite silver lining.
No visits to the pub - saving money and enjoying the health benefits. Half of my kitchen is already spankingly clean due to a short period of social distancing.
The chance to finally empty the freezer
Time as a family to play board games etc
Long dog walks - we live in the country and have plenty of isolated walks

My previous arsehole boss going bust. Sacked me for no good reason and was rascist, misogynist, woman hater, user and in everyway an absolute arrogant shit.
I'm working full time somewhere where I won't lose my job and he is going down the plughole, him and his horrible business, he doesn't have any other employees at the moment so I am watching and thinking karma has bitten him on the arse.

Silver linings - with all the usual caveats as I know for some this is, and will be, an incredibly difficult time:

• adjustments to some working practices and patterns, allowing people to be more flexible as employers realise that presenteeism isn't everything and people can be productive working from home

- alongside that, I might get more confident with using skype/zoom etc!

• spending less as not commuting into work, not buying coffee etc
• less pollution as people stop travelling around so much (we live on a main road and it's definitely quieter)
• more appreciation of simple things eg: doing stuff at home that doesn't cost much or require loads of planning etc - enjoying the garden if you have one, being a bit more creative with cooking rather than just nipping out to the supermarket etc.
• I've noticed people being a bit more solicitous of others - lots of checking in via whatsapp etc, my colleagues all looking after each other and being supportive etc

Venice’s canals have started to run clear because of less pollution.

As an asthmatic in London I’m hoping pollution reduction might go some way to helping my lungs cope with the virus...

www.cnn.com/travel/amp/venice-canals-clear-water-scli-intl/index.html

I bought bread today. And realised how lucky we are to be able just to buy our food so easily. (Usually)

We have just moved house. So, time to unpack etc. DD's school is looking very likely to close & DH, as a teacher, will likewise probably be home too.

@AdoraBell can you imagine: some people may be self isolating with their in laws that’s certainly something I’m grateful for not having to do....

I just realised (duh!) there will be far fewer other infectious illnesses around with all the distancing and hand washing. So far fewer colds, flu, D&V, and all the rest.