It’s been 5 days since our UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, gave us all the advice to “Stay Home | Protect the NHS | Save Lives”. We can’t go out unless we need to buy food/household essentials, go to work (if necessary, but work from home if you can), to look after someone vulnerable or to get one form of exercise a day.
My emotions are all over the place. I go from feeling really enthused for getting my head down and doing lots of work, finishing a number of projects I’ve got on the go, cleaning the house and so on. To then feeling full on fatigued and only want to stay in bed or lollop on the sofa. I forget for a moment what’s going on outside our home. What’s happening worldwide. And then I remember and it all feels so surreal.
I miss not being able to see my beloved family and friends. Like we all do. I’m astounded by those that are flouting the new regulations. Those who just don’t get it. For whatever reason. I get that these are extraordinary times. I get that this must be horrific for so many people. And don’t even mention the very vulnerable. I can’t think too much about children trapped in abusive homes at this time. Or elderly and infirm that will inevitably slip through the net. Oh and the homeless. It’s hard beyond anything any of us have had to do in our lifetime.
And not forgetting all those working on the front line of this. Risking their lives, quite literally, and those of their families.
History is in the making. After a little text chat with my 13yr old granddaughter in the week, I encouraged her to maybe keep a diary. To write about her feelings at being isolated from her normal life. And to read the Diary of Anne Frank. But for many teenagers, when your friends are absolutely everything, it must be so difficult. No doubt there are many families dealing with stress levels that are through the roof.
And for those with school age children at home. Trying to homeschool is not the answer. These are unprecedented times. It’s not about not going to school and to homeschool instead. It’s keeping your family safe and healthy away from contracting the covid-19 virus. I homeschooled my twins from the age of 12 so I have some experience of this in terms of understanding the difference between going to school and homeschooling.
You cannot do daily schedules that go from 9 - 3. It doesn’t work like that. I do believe in routine and creating some kind of security for the kids. But it needs to be flexible. They’re having to navigate their own emotions too. Their whole world has turned upside down. It’s ok for them to watch tv and do nothing. Believe me, that won’t last for long. They will want something to do. They will embrace any work the school has given them. But they will need that time to adjust to a new normal.
For our little household, it’s just me and hubby, Steve. We’ve always worked from home so feel blessed that we can navigate these changes fairly well. I think the hardest thing for us is not being able to go see our family and friends. It being forced on us feels so odd. We miss our walks by the sea. And going for our coffee and cake at our fave beach cafes. Like everyone else, life has changed. Dramatically.
I’m hoping I’ll settle into a new normal in terms of my emotions and get into a better routine. At the moment I seem to be pottering from one thing to another. No real purpose. We have been enjoying WhatsApp family group chats to break up the day.
Today I’m going to brainstorm some ideas to get creative and make some things to share online such as colouring pages both for kids and adults. And maybe designing some simple quilt blocks. Manageable projects to do each day. Watch this space.
Tell me how you’re coping. I’d love to know how others are spending their time.
Thinking of you all and sending lots of love. Stay home and stay safe.