"support" boards

[frozendaisy]

It seems a bit fraught on these message boards at the minute.

So regardless what we are all personally facing, is there ways we can support each other?

Shame to have this marvel of internet communication if it becomes another way of either bringing each other down or displaying how better one is.

BBCRadio6 helps our household. A variety of music, minimal news, great to make dinner with, better company than the household sometimes.

Library fiction books help me as well they don't solve problems but I do escape for a while.

Ok we have a digital radio but both these things are free and available and help me. Hopefully they help others as well.

Anyone else want to throw in some free/low cost helps regardless of personal circumstances right now?

One thing I’ve found that really helps me if turning off my phone/iPad/internet two hours before bed and spending that time reading. It makes a huge difference to how I feel but if you aren’t an avid reader, it probably isn’t a suggestion that appeals.

I feel the same it’s such a resource this forum having other humans to connect with, albeit online, however I would feel scared to start a thread. You get absolutely hammered here!!

If I'm having a bad day it helps to acknowledge it. Pretending everything is ok isn't always helpful.

I started some crochet last year but don't like it, so I've unravelled it & am starting something else. Youtube is helping me learn new stitches. At the rate I'm going they will have erradicated covid by the time I've finished!

@BlueTimes

One thing I’ve found that really helps me if turning off my phone/iPad/internet two hours before bed and spending that time reading. It makes a huge difference to how I feel but if you aren’t an avid reader, it probably isn’t a suggestion that appeals.

I live in hope everyone can find something to read even if it is the Haynes manual to local your fog light button!

@SeldomFollowedIt

I feel the same it’s such a resource this forum having other humans to connect with, albeit online, however I would feel scared to start a thread. You get absolutely hammered here!!

You don't get hammered by everyone.

@TheOrchidKiller

If I'm having a bad day it helps to acknowledge it. Pretending everything is ok isn't always helpful.

I started some crochet last year but don't like it, so I've unravelled it & am starting something else. Youtube is helping me learn new stitches. At the rate I'm going they will have erradicated covid by the time I've finished!

Stitch'n'bitch do some great knitting, crochet wool stuff. Quilting looks fun as well and you get a blanket at the end. I've saved baby throws to make a quilt out of. Guess I should get on with it.

Something I’ve started doing during this lockdown has been having “chill out time” each afternoon for around 45 minutes. This is usually after my 8 year old & I have been out for a walk/scooter/cycle for at least an hour.
I read or watch tv in my bedroom and it’s been my saviour! Precious, protected “me time” which helps to see me through the constant hole schooling, WFH, chores, playing & demands. DD can do what she likes during chill out time - watch tv, play or watch her tablet but has to be something that doesn’t involve me!

I would urge all mums to try & find a block of time (even 10 minutes) during the day for themselves. It’s really helped my mental well-being too.

Oh and we love BBC Radio 6 Music too!

Hobby related forums. Just immerse myself into the place unrelated to reality. Beautiful art, music, fantasy, just thinking about them is a bliss and makes me smile.

@Shibees I "hide" in a fancy bubble bath with the weekend paper magazine on an almost daily basis. I explain it under leading by example "good personal hygiene" skills!

@Xerochrysum yep I look at the goodnewsnetwork online, just good news, wombats finding water wells and that sort of important nonsense!

This is a great idea! What helps me:
A walk whatever the weather. Ideally on my own or with a local friend, but even with ds4 its always a good idea.
Download library ebooks onto my kindle. You need to get a pin from your local library, and then suddenly thousands of books are available for free to read on pretty much any device.
BBC sounds app for radio plays and podcasts
Cook and eat a nice meal as a family
A bath with epsom salts and essential oil
Make a decision not to fret about how much screen time my kids have at the moment

@frozendaisy love the bubble bath idea!

Dance by myself to my favourite going out out music. Sometimes I even wear my going out out clothes.

Great thread .

Podcasts and a walk for me.

Also just discovered bookstagram as a thing .

I have a long bath in Epsom salts every morning. It completely melts away any stress or body aches. I stick to my exercise routine which makes me feel better. I'm not trying to hard to do anything. Just taking each day as it comes. I'm very selective about the information/media I consume. I keep up to date but I absorb the bare minimum. I try and find the humour in most situations unless I'm having a particularly bad moment. I don't get upset/concerned/guilty if I do have a bad moment and lose it. I let it pass and I pick myself up and try again. Everything is transient. I lost a close family member at Christmas which focuses attention on how precious life is.

Plus this is the most time I have had with my partner and kids for a long time so I'm making the most of it and getting to know them really well. It can be claustrophobic but it won't always be like this. Actually, I feel closer to my partner.

I’ve also come off social media & hardly watch any news or programmes about Covid.

I’ve recently discovered the HGTV channel which shows old episodes of Escape to the Country, Flog It & Bargain Hunt. Pure escapism, does not require any brain power and absolutely no mention of Covid or lockdown! God I feel old & sad

We do this twitter quiz every evening as a family twitter.com/forwardnotback/status/1359940324949446657?s=21

The guy has been doing it since first lockdown, it’s something nice and fun at the end of the day, and there’s usually a good mix of questions so the kids can join in too.

I've just come to this thread after reading too many posts about how we are no longer living because of the restrictions, just existing.

I am still living. So is my family. Some things we all still enjoy togther are:
Being outdoors
Nature
Laughter
Sitting in front of the fire watching a film
Board games
Good films
Chatting

Individually we like to:
Read
Game
Play
Exercise
Walk outdoors with a friend
Talk online with friends and family

This is a life. It is mainly an entirely comfortable and privileged life, and I'm sure it's very similar to millions of people up and down the country. Its not always fun or easy but it's more than mere existence. Didn't seem worth starting my own thread, but just needed to balance out the narrative that everything is so bleak right now.

Love 6 music - also a subscription to Ancestry has given me lots of puzzles to sort out and links to new reading material. Can't wait for the snow to go so I can start gardening though

There certainly seem to be posters who relish being contrary. Even if you disagree with someone, there is a gentler, kinder way to express that.

I'm keeping going by having very low expectations and focusing only on the day, or few days ahead. Plan something in the near future, even if it is just a bubble bath or knowing what film you're going to watch at the weekend. Keeping me sane is taking moments to watch TV by myself - my choice. Usually something trashy for easy escapism. Putting headphones on and listening to audio books or music whenever I do housework. I love the radio too. Radio 4 or 6 music.

I have teens. I get time to myself theoretically, although they can be needy in their own ways and take up a lot of my mental headspace, worrying about them. And it's like living in a student house with all the glasses, mugs, plates, crumbs and teabag drips being left all over the kitchen.

The beauty of the sunshine and snow has been wonderful this week for a literal change of scenery. I usually really dislike where I live, busy roads etc...

I love this thread :).

So 6music is a sanctuary for a few! It so is though.

Life isn't all bleak, but even when it is there are free/low cost escape outlets even if just for a minute or two because as mere mortals it's not possible to live in just the drudge all the time.

Wish I could log into Twitter @noblegiraffe one of my children has apparently logged into Twitter and I need a code sent to his email, which he can't remember the password for because he's 9!

Still not to worry

Another small thing - we have lit candles at the dinner table every night since Christmas. Proper dinner candles not just tea lights. It seems to put everyone in a better mood. Who isn't mesmerised by a flickering candle light? Although this one wouldn't be recommended if you have small children.