Anyone enjoying lockdown at all?

[Paperdaisychain]

Hopefully a lighthearted thread to relieve the doom and gloom but I just wondered if anyone is enjoying the current lockdown? After the initial shock it’s been nice is some ways. Admittedly we are not badly affected my husband is able to work from home as am I (which I normally do). We are ok for money, have a car, and are able to get our shopping delivered for the time being.

It’s nice to be able to eat lunch together, we have also been going for a daily walk together. We live locally to the country so that’s been good. I’ve been teaching him yoga which he’s actually enjoying! I’ve been having “Tea and Cake” meets with my friends using zoom which I’ve really enjoyed and have even played some online games with some which has been great fun.

As a couple we have been playing board games in the evening, doing jigsaws and watching films (I recommend The Truth, streaming on Curzon at the moment).

I’ve been reading more and I’ve rediscovered long soaks in the bath, something I haven’t done since I was a teenager! I’ve also been getting through my house hold to do list which isn’t as fun but more bearable with the help of audiobooks and podcasts and it’s satisfying to see my clean, tidy cupboards!

We are also spending time helping out older relatives and neighbours. Even just being available for a chat or to get some shopping for them is lovely to be able to do.

I know that nobody is immune to the effects of this pandemic and we are very lucky, also we don’t have children which makes some of this possible and maybe easier but this thread is just a way of trying to focus on the nice things.

So go on tell me what you are enjoying about life at the moment?

I'm chronically ill with no childcare and work from home anyway, literally nothing about my life has changed! I'm worse off though as I have had some work cancelled. However I'm very interested to watch the rest of the world join me in being housebound with children and finding it so hard. It makes me feel like less of a failure. We muddle along fine normally and at least my Facebook feed isn't full of everyone else going on holiday/hikes/out to the pub while I can only imagine these things due to my disability. To be honest I'm hoping when this is over, those of us who are housebound will be less judged and forgotten.

My DH is as he travels a lot for work and is now enjoying spending more time at home. I find it harder as I am used to my own space at home .

I am getting out a little though as I do a volunteering project which supports the vulnerable and so far no one has told me I can’t do it.

Obviously the nice weather helps but only if you have a garden.

We’ve had a family bereavement (not Coronavirus related) and it will be hard not to go to a funeral to say our goodbyes.

Our DS is home from uni and doesn’t need ‘entertaining’ like a younger child would so that is easier (& another reason I am glad we made the decision to have an ‘only’ child).

So, overall, trying to stay positive and concentrate on the good points - loads of books to read and nice to catch up with friends, even if just by phone.

For me, I’ve had a couple of moments that I really enjoyed. I am disabled and I’m on my own, and I’m trying not to get too down since I’m in a bit of a difficult situation, getting food hasn’t been easy…

Love languages and I’m teaching languages online to other people who are isolated, and that keeps me busy and it’s fun.
This morning I had a little birthday breakfast, put on some music and open the window to let the sun come in… I don’t have a garden, I’m in a small flat…

I lived in Southeast Asia for a long time, and when I was there, I had to adapt to several very difficult situations, so I think that’s helped me here.

Yes, to be completely honest I am. I love having more time with the DC and DDog. Key worker and doing a mix of wfh and working on site. Still, it’s a much slower pace to normal. I will definitely be rethinking how I live my life after this.

I’m certainly enjoying some aspects of it. The no rush thing, for example. I have only really just fully understood how stressed I am every day, drop offs, pick ups, activities and so on. DC is 7, I’m perhaps too relaxed about the home schooling thing, we’re doing some activities but mainly just spending time together, cooking, pottering about, chatting (relentlessly).
However, it will probably soon wear off as we’re now under quarantine. DP has been in contact with someone who is now a confirmed case of COVID and I’m scared. Also, I still need to do my 32 hour working week. I appreciate how lucky I am, being able to wfh.

I am actually loving it. This is our second week of self isolation and it's great spending time with DH. He usually works quite long hours and so we don't see enough of each other as we would like.

I retired earlier this year and would have loved DH to retire too but he is younger than me so would get nothing.

We have been gardening, decorating, reading, listening to audio books, watching our unwatched dvd's, playing scrabble and just talking.

DH has been doing some of his hobbies - working on his old car and making models (he rarely gets time to do them). I have been knitting, trying to learn to crochet and trying to teach myself to sew.

We have both been doing some batch cooking, mainly curries. We can both speak basic French but are thinking of trying to improve.

I'm not especially happy, but actually seem to be coping better mentally than my coworkers according to their e mails.

I think being an exercise lazy introvert is an advantage in this situation. Usually my coworkers think it's ok to mock my personality for being quiet and not liking crowds.

It's not a hardship, other than because our internet is so crap, I can't do anything online while DH is working - in his second week of WFH. So no TV (don't have a licence so no live TV), no downloading, no backing up my files, no skyping - and I teach part time via skype. I am doing lessons via Whatsapp phone calls. Fortunately we have a big garden to walk around, so don't have to go anywhere else for exercise. DH and I have had words a few times as we're not used to being together 24/7, but on the whole it's fine.

I probably would enjoy the rest if I wasn't so stressed about my partner's fuckwit parents.

They live the next street over from us and despite being over 70 with health conditions that put them on the at-risk list, they're active enough to go for a daily walk and insist on trying to call in here.

I have a poster on my door saying I'm immune-compromised which everyone (deliveries etc.) has respected so far. However, his mother knows someone else with the same condition as me and has suddenly become an expert in it.

The person she knows hadn't stopped going out before the lockdown and was busy shopping, stopping in cafes and visiting people so (according to the new expert) makes her immune to the virus (and me a drama queen). I knew the woman years ago, though her a bit thick back then and it seems now she hasn't improved with age.

My OH has done a bit of shopping for her as she's "not allowed to go shopping" (unless it suits her). She keeps trying to hug him when he drops it off. I just want to spray him with bleach when he gets home from dropping her stuff off! (Oops, maybe I am a bit of a drama queen.)

She's nagging her grandchildren to call in to see her as she "won't infect them hahaha".

Stupid people stress me out more than anything else.

Not really. I still have to work, have to get up at 5am so I can so this. We are in an overcrowded property with minimal outdoor space and we have all been ill with a gastric bug. OH is still working too, so we are now under pressure to be teacher too.

The social distancing isn't that hard, since we don't have much time for socialising or money to go out normally anyway, it's just the extra workload and having kids home all day trashing the place that's a killer. Having to put off or cancel the few things we had to look forward to has been hard too and we have been climbing the walls with anxiety and how we would make things work as this crisis has progressed.

Hardly Netflix and chill.

I wish these people who post this smug twee shite on social media from their huge houses and gardens (who aren't working currently) and label it as positivity would just stop now. It does nothing to help people who are actually feeling the pressure from these changes. It is very blithe and naïve. A lot of people don't suddenly have tons of time to do yoga and read a book. They are still working (if they are lucky) or signng on for UC, looking out for elderly relatives, educating their kids and worrying about the impact of this.

I would say it is nice having more time with the kids, but it's hard for it to be quality time given what else is going on. It's not really a holiday for us. The only positive is that I actually feel that us both working full time needs to change, since we we're both run down and exhausted before this all started and I realise how much I miss out on with the kids, but I can't see how we can change it now.

I don't mind it so far. Doing a bit of school work most days, we are OK for money at the moment but both self employed and if it goes on too long we are fucked, but trying not to think about that. Although I have to work again tomorrow.
We have been splitting trips out, so I've been walking the dog or going for a run with him. DP doesn't particularly like doing that and I love it, so dp is in charge of going to the shops if we need anything. Kids are quite happy to not go out at all, or play in the garden. According to my youngest he is having the best time of his life 🙄

Although we are in a 2 bed flat with a shared garden, luckily one side have a fence up and the other neighbour we share with never uses the garden (he won't let us build a fence to split it so we can have our own private gardens 🤔

I wouldn't say we're enjoying it as such but we're not finding it as hard as I thought we might do.

DH is front line ambulance crew/staff so that is increasing my anxiety somewhat but we have developed a system at home to hopefully help keep us all safe and we have backup's/plans if he needs to fully quarantine at all.

I thought I would struggle a fair bit as I really suffer quite badly with my MH, but I am doing okay so far. We have been self-isolating for 13 days as of today anyway as both DC and I have underlying congenital cardiac issues and DH and I weren't comfortable with sending them into school last week.

I like the fact that I have a reason not to have to go out, I'm a fully paid up introvert anyway so I think that helps. I feel bad for people who are more extroverted and need the social interaction, I hope everyone is bearing up well.

So far both DC's schools have had trouble sorting out school type lessons for them to do at home etc so we have been doing a bit of home schooling (I'm no teacher so struggle a bit), we have been using BBC Bitesize and a few other resources.

We have potted seedlings to start a small veggie patch in the garden, I have dug out my sewing machine (Old hand crank) and got angry with it so ordered a new electric one , I'm going to attempt to make some reusable/washable toilet roll.

The dog is going a little bit nutty (she's naturally nutty anyway), so we have gone back to a few old mental exercising games with her along with some running around in our small garden, (DH walks her when he's home from work) and she is responding quite well to the games/exercise. I do worry a bit though because she is a largish dog with high energy, although I did find her asleep in a sunny corner of the garden yesterday which is unlike her so I think she is embracing it so far.

Unfortunately people around here are not fully following the guidelines/rules of lockdown and the local park and streets are so bloody busy with people, much busier than normal which Is why I am not risking mine and my DC's life (and that of others) by going out.

I hope everyone is holding up okay, the stricter we are with ourselves and staying home as much as possible then hopefully the quicker we can come out the other side.

Stay safe everyone.

Yes, I am! Before all this kicked off, I was struggling hugely with anxiety and juggling childcare, uni, work etc. This (although it IS a horrible situation) has taken everything out of my hands. I no longer feel anxious that I need to be doing this, that or the other because I am no longer allowed to!

Dh is loving it. He's working from home, listening to music, doing little diy projects, spending "time" with the kids.

I'm in hell. I had no idea just how much I relied on being able to get out of the house for most of the day.

@Stupidanduseless... if your husband won’t “allow” you to have some privacy or make a private call, when all this is over, you might need to rethink your partnership.

I realise I am very fortunate, can work from home, and love my own company anyway, as an extreme introvert.

I'm really appreciating the quiet. It's wonderful. Like going back in time, or on a retreat, as my friend said.

I feel,energised by it. Crowds, noise and hectic timetables depletes me.

Obviously it is shit. However, on a day to day basis, aside from not being able to go away on holiday, not being able to pop to the shops without fearing for my life, and not being able to eat out, I am really enjoying it.

I love staying home all day. I love working from home. I get a bit cross if the phone rings.

I am probably a bit odd though

Yes am enjoying it! Although I am sure the novelty will wear off. I am cooking much more often than usual, making home made oat milk, decluttering, spring cleaning, home schooling, reading!

It's very wholesome so far. I am sure that will change as the novelty wears off a bit. But I am looking at the positives. Nice not to have to do the school run every day.

Laniakea isn't it fun to shit on anyone who tries to see I little positivity in this crappy situation.

Cheers mate.

I’ve been trying to make the best of it lately.

I’ve studied for the past 5 years to get a career I’ve always dreamed of. I got offered a position and it changed everything. Was due to start it this month but the offer has been rescinded with no plans to re-advertise in the future. Due to the type of work I do, I can’t apply for any positions until next year and there’s no guarantee I’ll get anything then either as I’ll now have an irrelevant gap.

I’m trying to keep focused by gardening and redecorating as we’ll need to sell as soon as we’re able. This has given me a focus and has really reduced my anxiety. I’m sleeping better due to the physical exertion too.

I’ve been running errands for my elderly neighbours and have really enjoyed getting to know them (at a safe distance), it’s helped to give me perspective.

I’ve signed up to volunteer for the NHS and my local parish council and was pleasantly surprised by the number of people onboard in my area. It’s made me hate humanity a little less than I normally do.

Netflix is also a godsend.

Had it not been for this pandemic, I never would have lost the job but isolation is helping me cope better than I would have had I lost the job in ordinary conditions.

More of a grey lining than a silver one but trying to remain positive!

Well you are alright for money so of course you can enjoy it. Many are very worried right now and not able to enjoy the downtime.

Hating it!
I miss going to work (I know I'm not the only one that's been forced off and i totally ''get'' why,but still stressing me out being one of those few people that enjoy going to work)

My son's support has been cancelled (again,I understand why) and I think he's struggling a little (he's autistic)

On the upside,my garden is looking better and the weather is nice enough to sit in the garden with a book and drink.

After a couple of panicky days, I have become very practical. Spreadsheets for cupboard/fridge/ freezer contents with use by dates. I am determined not to throw anything away.
I am setting aside 2 hours a day for exercise.
I am making the best of a shit situation but like others on here am fortunate. Dh works in food production so in employment. I rely on a private pension which has gone down a hell of a lot but will eventually go up again.
We own our house, have a garden, space and decent neighbours. So lucky.

Despite the worry there are definitely some aspects that I'm enjoying.

I do think it depends on your circumstances though obviously. I'm in an incredibly lucky position and have said to dh, I'm so so glad this didn't happen any other time in the last 10 years when I had new babies or less money or a smaller property etc.

I know it will be a real struggle for some people over the next few months.