Lockdown’s a Rollercoaster

If all you did today was wake up – then you should be very proud of yourself.

If all you have done today was eat something small, breathe, got dressed or just sat on the couch – you should also be very proud of yourself.

As this tough time continues, do not be afraid of your emotions. I think you are doing so well. If you are having a bad day, don’t be hard on yourself. No one knows what we are going through, no one knows the answer in how to cope and live with lockdown, no one has been through this before. So my only advice to anyone reading is: just be. Just take each day as it comes. Be how you need to be, feel how you need to feel, and do what you want to do. There is no pressure or any expectations.

I, myself, have been up and down through this awful and surreal process. The way I cope with the day to day monotony, is to set a goal for each day. May that having a shower and putting some make up on. Going for a walk in the morning instead of the afternoon, sitting in the garden in the sunshine and listening to the birds or simply just watching a film. But there’s one thing I definitely do every day: be kind to myself.

As I enter week 3 of lockdown, I have gotten to know my friends more through group chats, I am getting fitter by doing HIIT workouts, yoga and a mile or two walk every day, I have developed new skills such as sewing and drawing and I have treated myself to new and upbeat music. But they are only on the good days.

On the not so good days, sometimes I can’t watch the telly, I just stare out the window. Sometimes I get overly emotional over something trivial, like messing up a crossword. On bad days I overthink and panic as to when I will be able to leave the house properly. The days can be long, but the world is still spinning and I am fortunate to have my friends and family at my fingertips over my phone.

I guess what I’m trying to say, is that there is no right way to live through lockdown. Go at your own pace, and promise me you’ll be kind and loving towards yourself. After all, we are all in this together. We will get through this.

JT