Lockdown positives and how much longer can you cope?

[whatisforteamum]

I have to say I am in my mid 50s and apart from the obvious tragedy of so many families affected by this awful virus I have found the actual restrictions ok.
Normally I am a workaholic and don't see dh from one day to another.I think being forced to stop work for a few weeks and not to out...didn't much before the to work hours and social anxiety.
Chores have been caught up,I've had time to chill and wear my own clothes eat at meal times and just be.
I love a long walk and love in the countryside.We have a kind of routine.
This is my first Easter off in many years.I could come with a few more weeks for sure.How about anyone one else?
How much longer could you cope with?I honestly don't miss anyone but Iive with dh and ds.

I’ll go on for as long as it takes but I’m starting to wobble occasionally. I’m 26, not married and no DCs (why am I on Mumsnet...) so it’s just me and DP. I would regularly see my parents and I’m very close to them. It’s hard, sometimes I feel panicked thinking how long it’ll be until I see them.

I also live in a flat with no garden. I hope people with access to outdoor space to sit in at their leisure realise how lucky they are.

It’s quite nice not being at placement, but I’d take all the early mornings and people criticising me all day for all this to be over as we all would

I’ve just checked my privilege
Tiny flat ✔️
Skint ✔️
Daughter living with her step family for the duration ✔️
Can’t see my partner ✔️
Still finding positives in this. Maybe it’s about state of mind?

I think if you are finding this all ok or enjoyable you do need to check your privilege

Why?

Why can't people who are taking comfort from small mercies and the tiny bits of good they're experiencing be allowed to express that without being shot down and silenced on the basis of their 'privilege'?

On this basis, the opinion of anyone who is reasonably content with their locked-down life at the moment should be silenced on the basis they are privileged by definition. Should we all be wailing in despair instead of trying to be positive where we can be?

Positives -
-Spending time with DD (16) we don't get a lot of actual time together between my job, school and GCSES and her social life so it's been nice to actually see her when we're not rushing around.

• I've rediscovered cooking and that I actually quite enjoy it when I'm in the mood, just basic stuff but we'd been eating quick meals because I was just knackered all the time and it'd got quite boring!
• I've got some deep cleaning and decorating done that was needed.
• I've caught up on about 2 years of being permanently sleep deprived from working nights

But, I'm worried about my job and the feasibility of it actually still being there when all this is over, and I know that losing 20% of my income will have a negative impact, I'm not really saving anything, only on travel to work but that's been used and more on extra food and gas/electric. Now I'm not knackered I'm starting to have trouble sleeping too, which gives me more time to think which isn't always positive. It's the uncertainty I'm not coping well with, if I'll have a job at the end of all this, if I'll be in debt and if I'll be able to sort that out, and when all this will end really. I know no one knows that, it's not something that can be predicted accurately really, but I like to have a plan and right now I don't because I don't know what/when to plan for.

We are very privileged in a lot of ways..not been affected financially (at least yet) we have a medium sized house and a smallish garden.. I feel for people who are working from home and trying to homeschool at the same time.

But as a stay at home mum to a 2.5 year old.. I don't feel like there are any positives to this (other than being in a better position than a lot of people) I already felt trapped and suffocated, and this is just the same old shit x3. Still only getting 5 hours sleep a night, still mind numbingly tired and bored. Just don't have any holidays to look forward to, or playgroups where my son can burn off energy, or a weekly break from childcare which is what usually keeps me just about sane.

If I see another post on Facebook about "using this time to slow down, rest, meditate, write a journal" etc etc I'll cry.. I envy people who don't have small kids. If I lived alone I'd be able to to all that stuff and get really focussed on a project (I thrive when I'm alone). Not sure how much longer I can stand this tbh.

I feel extremely privileged. We don’t earn masses of money (40k between us) but we have always got by okay. Dh has been furloughed but I work in education so I am still being paid. The children have got closer, Dh and I seem to be working through our problems and Extended family are more in touch than ever.

I have deep cleaned the house, enjoyed cooking, instead of the normal weekday rush. I’m pottering in the garden and we are doing bits of DIY. I’m knitting, reading books and I got to the bottom of the mending pile.

I could easily go on for months like this. I do suffer with horrific anxiety and I’m on medication to help. I’m petrified when it things open again and I’ve got to go back to work. I’m fat and so scared that I will die if I get the virus. That is what wakes me up in a blind panic at 3am.

I could easily do this forever

My main anxiety at the moment is the lack of certainty that the lockdown will be extended for long enough!

I honestly think it needs to continue until the end of May and then switch things back on gradually throughout June and July. I’m no scientist, just interpreting what I’ve read.

This lockdown has definitely confirmed that I’m an introvert. The social isolation hasn’t troubled me at all as it has been easy enough to stay in touch with friends / family via tech and I’m not feeling the usual pressure to be Go Go Go all the time including flinging myself to one end of the country and another.

We don’t have children (long term poster on the infertility board) and our last attempt failed just before all of this properly kicked off so I have appreciated the thinking time and slower pace of life rather than just jumping straight back on the rollercoaster of life.

I am, however, looking forward to jetting off somewhere when the world returns to normal but I’m resigned to the fact that probably means a couple of months back in the office first.

I can also check my privilege.
I am scrabbling around for work and not sure how to pay the bills. However
We have access to credit to buy food. We are warm, clothed.
We have two preschoolers and very busy with them but finding time to bake, drink a little wine, sit in our (small) garden. It's enjoyable to be able to eat meals together as a family and to appreciate just being rather than doing.
Dh is still managing to do his studying and some decorating. So we are busy but contented. I feel lucky if I ignore the financial side of things im currently sat in the bath listening to both boys cry at my husband!!!

DH and I are both wfh and have a 3yo. It's my son I feel the most for. It's awful for him to not have any children to play with, be able to do the things he enjoys most and have his parents trying to work too.
I suppose we'll go on as long as we have to, no other choice.

I know I'm privileged and I've never appreciated it more. I am finding this absolutely fine, in fact more than that, I am enjoying it. I feel concerned about other people and about the future of the country of course.
There are four of us at home but we have a biggish house and big garden. I like my own company and we live somewhere it's possible to go on lovely walks without being near anyone else. I am sleeping well, enjoying the slower pace and doing things I enjoy like reading, watching films and spending time with the kids. The odd online meet-up with friends is also nice.
Yes, I'm lucky and have never been more aware of that, but I'm certainly not going to pretend I'm not happy to please other people.

We are ok. Actually feeling quite relaxed at the moment. But we run our own business and I'm aware this could change at any moment. So far so good! I am worried about returning to normal though. Dh needs to be isolated and I'm scared to send the kids back to school. But I'm not expecting to have to deal with that until September.

I’m doing ok so far. Not one for socialising much anyway, so no problem there.
Horse is still taking up a couple of hours a day, cleaning, reading, walking etc fill a good part of the rest of the day. Only thing I’m worried about is money. I have been furloughed, so 80% pay is just about ok, however as I understand it, this is only guaranteed for March, April and May. So what happens then? I can’t manage for long with no money at all.

Key worker here in an area heavily affected by covid. Enjoying time off with Ds's and dp but obviously work is challenging and a lot more stressful.
Going to be honest it does rile me when people are enthusing about how great it is but I'm more concerned about the economic shitshow that will undoubtedly ensue afterwards. Pretty certain there will be more cuts to public services, benefits, maybe some paltry rise in taxes but as usual the ones nicely insulated already won't feel the heat.

I'm coping well I could go on like this for months if I'm honest

Me too. Loving the peace and time to get things done. Nice walks ( we are are pretty rural here) and no pressure. It feels good to just stop for a while.

Were doing on, I could easily do it for mo this tbh. But me and dp are both working as were both key workers. And although we dont earn amazing money, it's more than enough now we are not able to spend so much. We also have a garden so our dd is kept entertained. weve enjoyed spending g alot more time together as a family and its made us reevaluate our work schedules so we can spend more time together from now on

I’m finding this Lockdown has maybe given me some insight into how my life could be after retirement.....it’s an insight into how I may need to change things.....

I’m lucky in the sense that I have a home - a very small two bed house, but it’s safe, sound and secure, and it’s mine (mortgage). A small garden which I’m working on (and was going to buy garden furniture this summer - damn) - so I’ve established right now that unless I change some things I’ll be an asset “rich” but cash poor pensioner!

Focusing on the positives of the lockdown, I’m lucky that:
I’ve been given the gift of time to get some big stuff done in my house that I’ve been meaning to do for months - and had already bought the supplies
I’ve been able to have a huge clear out - several boxes are now in my loft ready to go to the charity shop or be sold of FB market once lockdown is done (or a homeless charity for the time being for the clothes - must look that up)
The house has never been tidier or cleaner!
I’ve made great progress on my garden, which was dire
I’ve found myself being so much more careful with food. I’ve been doing proper meal planning, really watching how much I cook (think pasta and not just throwing half the pack in), making sure I don’t forget about the leftovers in the fridge. Much more mindful about waste.
Likewise the clear out has enabled me to see what was lurking in my home that i had forgotten was there. Be it food, clothes, cleaning supplies, nicer things.....
I also feel like I’m in contact with friends more than before. So many WhatsApp threads, zoom meet ups, online quizzes, video chats almost daily with different people. Even old school friends on SM have sent nice messages and it’s nice to be back in contact more.
I’m
Furloughed but topped up to 90% and could be 100% next month (waiting for decision) so ATM can’t complain
Lower pay but no transport costs, no quick trips to the shops for one thing and coming out with ten, no cheeky Starbucks, no window shopping turning into “oh that’s lovely I really want that!”

The down side -
I am fearful for my job. I’m a HLTA at an independent school and I love it there. Love my colleagues, love the school, best job I’ve ever had which is why I make it work in the low (but higher than state school) salary. But if parents can no longer afford fees there could be an impact.....Head has said they don’t want to get rid of anyone. We will see, but it’s lurking in my thoughts
Too much time to think! My phone usage has been ridiculous and thinking too much and seeing the media just causes worry!
I’m lonely. I live alone. I have a new niece who I can’t see. I’m talking to the walls. When video chats end, my house is deadly silent. When I used to have a free weekend I would often be relieved for the rest, but now It’s getting old. Novelty of having some time to myself has long gone.
Being furloughed I just feel useless. I can’t volunteer at the hospital as I have no car (getting the bus would be counterproductive to staying safe and they’re reduced majorly anyway, hospital too far out to access). I’ve joined the community volunteer list but haven’t been used yet (could be lack of car for shopping I guess I don’t know) so we will see - the lady in charge said there has been loads of people, too many people really. Which is good really.
I miss my old Club, I’m a brownie leader, I’m used to being busy. Didn’t realise quite how much they liked the company of others!
I miss the people in my life I really do.

But it’s shown me what is important in life. I’m hoping to keep my job as it makes me happy even if the pay isn’t great. It’s taught me who to value the most in my life. Those who have reached out to me, those who care. The value of family and friendship. It’s made me so grateful for the freedoms I take for granted.
It’s also shown me that actually I Hope I do find someone to spend my life with. I’m long term single (not on purpose) but not that confident in this area. More than that I’ve always wanted to be a mum and I’m more focused now on making that happen once we all start to pull out of this.

"Going to be honest it does rile me when people are enthusing about how great it is but I'm more concerned about the economic shitshow that will undoubtedly ensue afterwards. "

Yes, this ^^

For all our sakes lockdown needs to come to an end as soon as feasibly possible

We are realising how antisocial we really are. We rarely have visitors, visit relatives maybe once a fortnight, not missing that much really. DCs are quite happy with the Internet and food and are at the right age to be mostly self sufficient but still enjoy time at home or a family walk to look at cute lambs...
DH and I are both still working but with lower costs so financially slightly better off at the moment.
I feel bad about that, but it is what it is. We could do this for months.

I don't want it to though, obviously. For economy reasons. The impact of this is going to hit all of us and I'm not looking forward to that. It will be a depression, I'm sure of it.

I think we will for sure be back in recession like in 2008. Which could mean peoples jobs become less secure. House buying becomes impossible again unless you’ve managed to save / inherit / be given a huge deposit. Which means rent goes up....

Anyway this is meant to be a positive thread.

I think something that has occurred that’s is positive is more appreciation for the lower paid yet vital jobs. Supermarket workers, retail employees - often looked at as “student jobs” “part time” “temporary while working towards something better” jobs - are now so much more appreciated by many. I’ve worked in the supermarket, it’s long, it’s physically hard work, and you’re looked down on majorly. I think they are more appreciated by many now.
Likewise it seems that people are thinking harder before going to the doctors and hospital. Because resources are stretched even thinner and people are having to truly think through whether or not they need medical assistance. Hopefully this mindset might stay. Save the poor A&E staff from dealing with someone who just needs a paracetamol or a laxative.