How are you finding lockdown?

I’ve been trying to keep busy: with work and training for my counselling practice, catching up on stuff around the house, keeping in touch with friends/family by Zoom or FaceTime, spending time with my teenage boys watching films and cooking dinner together. Generally I get through each day.

But at the end of last week I had a proper meltdown day.

I felt miserable and I couldn’t shake that feeling. I felt really negative - like there was no point in doing anything. I kept thinking about the worst case scenario if me or a member of my family were to get the virus. I couldn’t motivate myself to do anything. I cried.

It was not a good day.

But then I talked to a friend on Facetime who was very supportive and listened. I spoke to my eldest son about how I was feeling and he gave me a hug. I cleaned the kitchen windows and took the dog out. I still felt a bit low. And crying makes me feel really tired!

So at the end of the day I left the boys in front of the PlayStation and went to bed.

When I woke up the next day I felt much better. The sun was out. I had more energy. I didn’t feel as sad.

I know that sometimes I just have to go with the sadness. Accept that it’s a bad day, cry if that’s what I need to do, and know that it won’t last forever.

It’s OK not to be OK.

How have you been coping with lockdown?

Photo by NancylynR (pixabay.com)
2 April 2020