The positive mental health thread - part 4

[Spudlet]

Keeping it positive, keeping our sanity, people 👍

Henry waits on the stairs when he knows it’s breakfast or dinner time. Here he is this morning waiting for his lettuce!

Anyone else on here have some houseplants? Fancy doing chat and pics about them? (Awaits tumbleweed)

I’ve got a slightly bunged up nose this morning. Am trying not to panic because I do have chronic allergies anyway. Fingers crossed!

I was a bit down last night which is so unlike me in ordinary life.

I think it's because our holiday of a lifetime, two years in the planning, was due to happen. My phone went ping with a reminder of something to do with it, and I thought.... we were going to be flying 18 hours to get to the Amazon basin and start our long adventure.

Instead I'm sat on the sofa watching crap and getting fat

Sorry, moment of self indulgence there.

Good news is... the supermarkets have really sorted it. No panic buying, shelves stocked, people keeping their distance etc. I wish they'd done it earlier before all the nonsense with loo rolls

@roussette I’m so sorry about your holiday

I'm sorry Rousette, what a shame. Understatement. I do wonder whether we will collectively do more or less travelling in future, there was a thread yesterday where many people were saying they would travel as much as they can after this, but will the travel industry be the same, perhaps there will be much less business travel.

Bunny - thanks for the reminder, I need to message work to water my desk plant (I'm WFH but a few are still going in). I didn't bring it home because it's a lily and I have cats, also it's massive.

@Bunnyflop Henry is just gorgeous! Obviously intelligent too if he knows when mealtimes are.

@Roussette I totally get the holiday disappointment, have been counting down to April 5th for so long here and now it’ll be spent at home, not driving to Heathrow for a night flight to Singapore. We’ll all get there eventually.

@M0reGinPlease just think as well, our kids are seeing way more of us than usual and that is what they really want

I agree @Roussette it has really heartened me how well the supermarkets have handled this, so quickly getting organised with restricting sales, prioritising the elderly and NHS Staff and various other initiatives not commercially driven. I had always thought they'd just be out for themselves and to make as much money as poss but it has not been the case.
Also people being considerate, I was in a long queue the other day and everyone waited patiently and we were all happy to let some very doddery elderly go in front of us.

@M0reGinPlease I’m sorry you’re having a tough time this morning. It is just all a bit shit, isn’t it. And I’m sorry about your holiday @Roussette - that is also shit

DH says he feels fine this morning but I woke up boiling in the night. However, I got up as DS had his light on for some reason, and once I’d settled him I went into the bathroom and took my temperature and it was perfectly normal. I have deduced that this ‘temperature’ is a result of DH putting a fluffy blanket over the duvet even though the house is much warmer now the days are warmer 🙄🤦‍♀️ So I think we’re ok!

We have definitely become more thoughtful about our use of resources due to this - the new water butt is already half full because rather than letting the plug out after DS has a bath, DH has been scooping the water out with the watering can and transferring it over. And our food waste is definitely less as well. However I am developing a bit of an evening chocolate habit and really need to knock that on the head as it’s not doing me any favours. I’ve told DH not to offer me any tonight as I have no willpower for these things at the end of the day!

@Bunnyflop I do love a houseplant these days. I don't know if I've just never really noticed them before or if they have become a trend thing.

Anyone else on here have some houseplants? Fancy doing chat and pics about them? (Awaits tumbleweed)

Yes, I have one funny one, will post later

thank you all. This is such a lovely thread

We have a lovely little shop in a small town near us. Independently run. They just sell houseplants and the most unusual pots you can buy too. The young girl that runs this shop is so enthusiastic about houseplants and there's not much she doesn't know.
Making a vow to myself to go and buy some more when this is all over

@M0reGinPlease sorry crossed post earlier, totally understandable to have these crap days and as @Arcadia says, I suspect our children will remember this somewhat more idyllically than us as we all just slow down and spend time together . But it doesn’t always feel like that and sometimes there’s a definite jolt of the new reality when first waking up in the morning.

DD (12) reckons she’ll embellish stories of the 2020 pandemic to her own kids rather than the reality of sitting around and too much YouTube.

@Spudlet evening chocolate habit is definitely a good one for positive mental health!

I too have developed a bad gin and choccy habit of an evening. Going to be huge by the end of this.

My friend who has had confirmed Covid-19 comes out of her isolation today. She kicked it's butt.

Hello to all you lovely people on this thread.

I was on these threads a lot in the early days but took a bit of a break from social media and news and am now feeling a lot better. My anxiety has decreased significantly. Headspace is a lifesaver, so is getting out and walking in the fresh air. Lots of "living in the moment" techniques and trying not to think about what may happen in the future - I have a tendency to catastrophise.

Anyway. Everything seems a lot calmer this week. My local area has a lovely community support group going and people are collecting shopping for people who are in vulnerable groups. Rainbows appearing in lots of windows. Everyone (mostly) adhering to the rules. No issues getting food or things delivered. Finally my elderly parents (who live 200 miles away) are taking things seriously and accepting help from friends and neighbours.

My friend who had covid is much better too - she was in her bed for a week but the rest of the family had a much milder dose. It's going to be a weird few weeks but we're going to get through this.

Oh yes I love the Henry pictures

@pinkarsedfly just read your poem posted Monday afternoon- that's brilliant, given me a laugh

I just want to sleep today but need to get working.

A tiny forward-looking positive - my car dealership are planning to re-open in two or three weeks and have rebooked my car's service. We shall see...

I am desperately holding on to the thought that we will be able to go out and enjoy some of the summer before it ends. Someone tell me that’s not out of the question please...

Thank you all for being here. I’m having a wobble this morning, probably because the sun hasn’t come out. On the other hand, I’m irrationally excited at the prospect of a trip to Morrisons tomorrow.

So sorry about the cancelled holidays. I have a list of trips for the end of this.

I honestly think @Bunnyflop that we will be able to be out and about in the summer, looking at patterns in China and elsewhere. It may not be completely back to normal but I think restrictions will have eased.

Oh my Gaia! I’ve not woken up! I slept for a full eight hours last night! I never get a full nights sleep. I’m going to make a (vegan fry.Yes, I went there ) and a big cup of coffee now.

Just re-discovered this thread. The increased figures in deaths yesterday made me very anxious and upset. I had nightmares last night. Faces pleading for help and bottles of hand gel hidden in a basket ! Had an awful row with DH this morn and he's upstairs and i'm downstairs with DS. DS is handling the lock-down well. Not so me and DH.
So yes, i could do with a friend on here to keep me going! My house plants are like my friends..here's my umbrella tree with seeds and flowers. The top has flowered and has sticky droplets all over it which i have to be careful doesn't get on the curtains! ....
My next plant is going to be a cheese plant. We only have a tiny lounge but i'm determined to turn it into a greenhouse! So good for air quality in the home

Aw @Roussette I'm sorry about the holiday, it sounded like a wonderful adventure! We're due to go on holiday in August but not holding my breath!

@T0tallyFuckedUpFamily Sleep is one positive that's coming out of this for me! SO much more sleep! Enjoy your vegan fry up!

@Alsohuman how does the sum have such an effect?! I'm exaclty the same, feel a bit "meh" on those grey days! You adding anything exciting to your shopping list for Morrisons?

@Bunnyflop I don't have an interesting houseplant but the fact that it has survived 3 years in the house where plants come to die makes me think it's photo worthy! will add one later... it's a very smart plant, it wilts and goes a bit brown which makes me think is it's way of "asking" for water and then it perks right up again!

My positives for today - I have plenty of time to do homework for the course I'm studying. I baked last night for the first time in months. Our "try it Tuesday" recipe worked out really well, sticky chilli beef salad recipe.

@BooseysMom

That nightmare sounds terrifying, please be gentle with yourself today xxxx

I think arguments in such close proximity are inevitable, I love my DH to bits but miss alone time, he's everywhere I turn these days!! I'm a definite introvert who needs to be completely alone to recharge! Looking forward to the lonesome drive to work tomorrow!!! (essential service but not healthcare).

Lovely houseplent, looks very majestic, what is a cheese plant? and where does it get its name from? I hope it doesnt smell like cheese!