The challenges of life in lockdown
This unprecedented situation we have all found ourselves in is unlike anything we have ever experienced before. We have had to suddenly adapt to new ways of working and living, which can be particularly challenging for those of us who don’t like change and feel we need certainty and routine to navigate our way through life. Having the ability to meet up and socialise with friends and family members is an integral part of anyone’s mental health, so having to socially distance or going weeks or months without seeing them is inevitably going to put a strain on our wellbeing. Supermarkets and public spaces can be anxiety provoking and stressful when we have to keep two metres apart from everyone and there are massive queues. I miss just being able to pop into a local shop quickly and easily, not having to think about a horrible but necessary one way system and having to stay back from everyone.
My first university year abruptly moved online and then came to an end, like everybody else’s. Before lockdown, I had got my act together and had planned all sorts of voluntary work and paid work to keep me busy throughout the summer, as I know I’m someone who needs to fill my time to stay sane. I’d also got various holidays lined up as well as day trips and events/conferences, all of which have been postponed or cancelled. This has been particularly challenging for me, as having a lot of things to look forward to really keeps me going and helps keep me cheerful. I have been really missing my weekly choir rehearsals and found that the online Zoom sessions just weren’t the same and were actually making me miss normal rehearsals even more, so have made the decision to take a break until it eventually returns properly. Being the only one not working or having anything to do is challenging in a household where everyone else is working – although of course I’m grateful we’re all together and we all get on well! The most heartbreaking thing that has happened was suffering a bereavement and not being able to get close to/hug family members at the funeral that weren’t in my household, normally a natural instinct.
I accept that other people are in worse situations than me with tough family situations, job losses, illness etc but adapting to this peculiar and often frustrating and down-heartening time has evidently been overwhelmingly difficult for me at times, and has been a sharp lesson of resilience and tenacity to us all. I hope that this crisis will enable us to be stronger and gain more perspective with other challenges that we come across in our lives when this pandemic is over and things eventually start returning to normal. We will appreciate the small things in our lives that bring us joy so much more, and I feel we will never take things for granted ever again.
Meanwhile, here are some things that I have found helpful during this time:
Maintaining a routine – Routine is crucial for a lot of us to gain a sense of control and stability. I have been trying to make and stick to a routine each day, which includes things like eating and going to bed at the same time, and drinking a glass of water at specific points in the day. We may not have our normal routines, but planning your day out can definitely help! Luckily, I still have my Dyspraxia Foundation Youth Champion role and my Local Coordinator role and feel like I have been able to get more involved and do more things to help the youth group and members of our local group.
Exercise and nature – Going out for some fresh air every day, even in the rain, has made a real difference to my mood. Even after a ten minute walk round the block when you’re feeling sluggish and unmotivated, you will notice a decrease in your stress levels. Being immersed in nature has huge benefits for our mind and allows us to slow down and notice little things more. We have been fortunate enough to be able to explore new routes and I have set myself a nature goal of seeing a kingfisher, which has also been an exciting mission! (Potentially a barrier when you don’t have great vision as they’re so quick and difficult to spot, but I’m not going to give up.) Due to all the cancelled races, my running motivation has virtually been non-existent recently, but I will get back to it when I feel like it and have found walks just as helpful!
Getting creative – Now we have more time than usual, I have had to find more things to occupy my busy mind and have had more time to do things I wouldn’t normally do. I have resorted to more cooking and baking, trying out new recipes including making different breads and pasta, which have been positive challenges for me. I am also really enjoying doing jigsaw puzzles, as I find them incredibly mindful and relaxing, perfect for distracting yourself from the mess of the world. We have also made our own candles, got a loom band kit, and modelling clay. I’ve even just completed my first painting by numbers project and have moved on to a different one, which I have found has the same effect as the puzzles, as well as being incredibly satisfying and rewarding once it’s finally completed! This was a revelation to me, as I’ve never been any good at, or even interested in, art. Perhaps try a new hobby or skill and you may surprise yourself with what you enjoy doing!
I also made the decision to purchase Animal Crossing New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch, which has been another creative and relaxing thing to immerse myself into. I’m constantly trying to improve Serenity (my island) and its scenery, and I’m really pleased that my sister has just bought herself one too. Disclaimer: it’s addictive!
Music – Feel good, upbeat, motivating music always lifts my spirits and never fails to make me smile. I have always liked a whole variety of artists/bands, but I seem to have periods where I can’t stop playing a certain artist/band. My guilty pleasure at the moment is Elton John – I have undoubtedly annoyed my family with the number of times I’ve played his songs recently, dancing to ‘Crocodile Rock’ and ‘I’m Still Standing’ around the kitchen and rewatching Rocketman repeatedly. Oops! Creating a playlist of your favourite music to listen to when you’re not feeling great, or turning to a particular album is a great idea.
All that said, it is definitely important to acknowledge the sadness and disappointment of this awful situation too. Whatever challenges you have faced through this crisis, it is ok to have bad days, to struggle with it all, to crave normal times again and to feel whatever you feel. There are days where I don’t feel productive, cheerful or motivated at all and I just feel like crying about everything that’s happened for me and my family since Christmas – I’m still trying to tell myself that is ok. Accept however you feel without trying to fight it, as my mentor keeps having to remind me. This pandemic will end eventually. We will get our lives back. It is just going to be a gradual, frustratingly slow, uncertain process…
Imogen’s blog 