starting to feel all over the place.

Two of my friends have now returned my calls.
One said she had been for coffee in her friend’s garden, sooner her than me, it is very cold here today.
The other had been for a run in the car with her H to pick up their “sick” lawnmower, now repaired.

What exactly could the government do though? New Zealand has a fraction of our population and they are spread out over a large area. The UK population density is much higher than in other countries.
Not meaning to turn this into another political thread. Just practicalities.

Annsixty, I think I am getting low because I thought this would be a temporary shutdown, and things would be sorted out, but the chaotic way it is being handled makes it hard to see any ending.
The government is too busy congratulating itself on its abysmal performance, that it is not looking for better solutions.
The opposition have not held them to account because they are scared of not being supportive in a crisis.
We keep being told now is not the time for an enquiry, but how many more must die before some different approaches are considered?
Oh, to live in New Zealand!

Couldn't agree more about the telephone conversations, noticed this week that a regular once a week call to a friend is getting shorter and we are going over the same ground. Another friend has been making regular phone calls to people she usually helps as a volunteer driver, up to now they have all been reasonably upbeat and coping but apparently that is now wearing off and they are beginning to feel abandoned and worried about everything. I felt very low the other day thinking about the clubs I go to and how will they be able to restart as so many older people have underlying health issues. Very slow day today.

Those few weeks of sunny weather were great - I like to just sit out in the back garden and watch the plants grow, and birds and bees.
Now it's much colder and the forecast isn't good so I don't know how I'm going to fill the time.
Main thing thank God we're all well, up to now.

My friends and I keep in touch by regular phone calls back and forth.
They are actually quite boring as we have so little to report but the contact is nice.
This morning I have rung three, not one answered, one I know makes regular trips out, but one of the others says every time we speak how paranoid her H is although I do know she entertains her family in her garden.
The other couple are obviously going out.
It is this that makes me feel so isolated as I cannot go out.

I feel my life is not my own any more At least we have summer and lighter evenings .I dread the thought this situation will still be with us come autumn.

SiL asked me yesterday what my plans are for this week. Just having to say, 'Well nothing actually,' was pretty depressing. DH is back at work. All my usual activities and events are cancelled indefinitely (as are everybody else's of course). There are phone calls with friends but nobody has any news! I'm getting really sick of this endless drifting. No heart to do anything much beyond basic cleanliness, walk once a day and reading and TV the rest of the time.

I was awake a 5 - dodgy pork last night for dinner!!??. I'm still in my dressing gown and have no inclination to do anything. It is one of those days. They happen. The weather isn't great and its chilly so I'm thinking chocolate might help and another cuppa. Hey ho tomorrow is another day.

It's such a relief to read this post. I'm so glad it's not just me. Generally I have managed to be positive and thankful but some days it's just too hard and I flit from one small thing to another feeling cross,fed up and lethargic. Now I acknowledge it's just a difficult day, heave a sigh of relief it's over at bedtime and remind myself it's a new day tomorrow. Glad you feel better

Any time I wonder what to do, I'm sewing laundry bags for the NHS. I'm cutting up sheets and pillow cases that have not been used for a while. Duel purpose - doing something for the NHS and recycling unwanted sheets (washed in a 90 degree wash, to make sure they will stand the pace!!) DH normally finds watching ancient TV programmes keep him amused.

I'd say you're not on your own, we are all feeling somewhat the same. I've started to listen to Podcasts and now I am addicted. I have earbuds so can get on with other things while listening. Can you get involved with something in the local community, there are lots of online stuff if you can't leave the house. Stay focussed, and have faith that this will not last forever.

So glad you are feeling better today. I think we are all having variable days. I think if you live on your own motivation to do things can slip as there is no one to jog you along or gently reprimand. I count my blessings and am kept on my toes by video calls from daughters! Some days I do lots,others I just drift! I saw a tweet yesterday by a documentary producer who described what she had for breakfast,and that she was feeling invisible. What followed was a heartening outpouring of love and understanding, both towards her and other posters offering understanding and emotional support. There are millions of stories out there. I think sometimes the current situation is almost impossible to comprehend for a lot of people. Messages are very mixed. In some ways it reminds me of how things can look very blurry in a hot climate. Interweaved with the new normal are messages that life is no less risky than a month ago. No wonder we all have days when it's all a bit much!

I find it hard when my husband says "what's to do today"? As if I can magically come up with an activity. All our odd jobs are done. I would happily knit and watch TV all day. He wants us to do productive things! It's so hard being cooped up!

Travelsafar, I'm glad you're feeling so much better today. We all have down days and it's just a case of being kind to ourselves and getting through them.

I was just wondering, if you enjoy sewing and all your projects are completed, there are groups of people all over the country making scrubs, laundry bags and face masks for local hospitals, care homes, GP surgeries, etc. and anyone with good sewing skills would be very welcome to join them. Look on on the internet at 'For the love of Scrubs' and put in your nearest hospital town at the end, to see what is happening near you.

Can you spend some time preparing for days like this? Buy a book you fancy and get it sent to you? I'm a big Audible fan personally and I promise that's wonderful for lethargic days. Is there a craft you've ever fancied - for me rag rugging - look online for a kit. Binge watch a box set (but you need to have the box set to hand!). You sew - is there a long term project for rainy days and evenings?
Anything really that means at the end of the day you can say 'Today I...'

I have the odd flat day, then I make sure I go for a long brisk walk. Listening to my favourite music always lifts me. I soon get fed up with myself if I start sinking but am blessed with a lovely family and lots of friends that keep me strong.

travelsafar I had a similar day yesterday - I could not motivate myself to do anything, felt sad, wandered about the house doing a few minor jobs but couldn't settle to doing anything constructive and, like you, the only item on the horizon was the evening meal. I never liked Sundays as a child - nothing to do, everything shut - but this morning the sun is out and I feel completely different. I hope it has passed for you too - life is picking up now and maybe it will get easier by the week.

There you go! Hoping annsixty is also feeling better today.

Feeling much better today. Sunshine peeking through, washing machine nearly at the end of the first load, breakfast done, getting in the shower in a mo as going to meet a friend for a walk around our local common. We will take a drink so we can sit on a seat observing SD rules and feel like we are doing something normal. I have also made arrangemens to see two other friends on Friday, so something to look forward to. We will meet in a garden and have a good old catch up. Hope everyone else has a good day today. Thank you to those of you who put posts up yesterday, it realy helped to know i am not alone in feeling out of sorts.

Today I have had many visitors (mainly family and one friend. We all sit either in the back garden or front garden and are socially distancing. Coffee and tea all round. My friend lives on her own so if it's not raining she will pop over and have a coffee or tea. A little chat. My daughter is doing all our shopping and calls every day after she finishes work. We are so grateful as we haven't been anywhere ( only front and back garden for the last eleven weeks ) . Get the fold up chairs out and social distance if you have a garden it helps a lot during lockdown.

There isn't much gentle walking around here, it's puffing up and down hill!

Oh how I empathise! I think what we're all going through is something akin to the grief process. Some days life seems bright and we feel reasonably content with this new life we didn't ask for ( and yes, in my case the weather has a definite bearing on my mood). On other days, like today, I just can't get myself moving at all. I feel what's the point? Why bother? Today didn't really start until this evening! But all that is OK. It's OK to feel down and sad or angry and fed up. Just accept that that's how you feel today and know that tomorrow will be better. And it usually is. ??

I am feeling that this situation is never ending.
I am nearly 83, Lucky to have my GD living with me ,but feel I may never see my D and other GC again.
They live 250 miles away and we are strictly abiding by rules.
Two sets of neighbours have had all the family here for the umpteenth weekend on the trot.
They are not outside so obviously not social distancing.
That is up to them but not playing by the rules.

I get up late and go to bed early, life is passing me by.

I have never felt so out of control before.
I am not making decisions, they are being dictated to me and I hate it.

Buy a Kindle, load it with books and have a Literary Fest with a cuppa at your side and a glass of chilled white in the evening. Plus a gentle 20 minute walk once or twice a day. Bliss.