“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

milann

That’s a good philosophy to put worries and troubles in a box or drawer. Visit them when you feel the need and have the energy then close the lid on them until next time. 

Glad the smalls are happy 👍

PositiveBalance

I can't begin to tell you the number of people who have told me about incredibly vivid dreams, broken sleep or worse recently. I think current events are showing up in the sleep patterns of even the most stoic of people at the moment. X

Suffolk_lass

Toni'sfriend said:

It doesn't make you sound like a child at all. I'm waking up in a panic and having nightmares and I have nothing to worry me and apparently I'm not the only one. Lots of people are finding themselves in the same position. So don't beat yourself up. You are doing brilliantly, as usual.

Take care. xxx

I would just echo that - my friend confided that she woke up after dreaming about our retired GP, Boris Johnson and someone famous in a state of panic, and my Aunt (late eighties) phoned me last Monday because she is having panic attacks, worrying about her Son. He is a gardener and continues to work in the gardens of the people he works for. He is completely on his own, uses his own tools, wears a scarf and gloves and all the people he works for are elderly and have been home for four weeks and their (large) gardens are their refuge from this. Him keeping the gardens looking good keeps them calmer about the impacts on them. My Aunt knows all this and can rationalise it, but when she lays down to sleep it all creeps back in to her mind and causes the panic. 

Keeping it in a compartment, drawer or box (with a key) is really a helpful way of taking it out and examining it on your own terms. I lock mine when I check the back door is locked and the front door has remained locked, then I do my deep calming breathing when I first get to bed. It always makes me feel slightly dizzy if I do it right. Then I lay on my front for minimum ten minutes, breathing slowly and thinking only about the steadiness and depth of my breath. That usually does it for me - I am asleep until I need to turn because my arms are under me and have gone dead. I managed about six and a half  hours last night and was awake at 5.15am this morning - but I was awake because I have had enough sleep (really good, dreamless sleep).

teafor2

Morning WB Hope you got a good nights sleep. Are you back to home schooling yet or are the DC's still 'on holiday'. DS starts back in his routine again on Monday, if you can call it that. Have a lovely day and keep that lid firmly locked on the box for now   xx

WannabeFree

I think locking things away has always been my way of coping with things. The nightmares are more past situations not current. But I dont think the anxiety of the things happening now dont help. I wish I didn't need to sleep at all 😳

Tea we haven't changed the routine for what would have been the holidays. I'm not doing full school days 😳 they find a couple of hours in the morning then again in the afternoon easier than doing the amount they would in school. So doing 4 hours of things every day instead of 6/7 mon-fri is working better here. Plus everyone at such different years of school I dont think I'd cope with more than that a day with all the other stuff needing to be done. 

In saying that though now the phone doesn't work it means we can't really use it for school things or watching TV etc I'm not sure how we will do it now. Its made harder after the texts from the nhs/gov that we shouldn't even be going in the garden I'm trying to really limit us going out there. Running out of things to do inside. Crafting items etc are going to run out. Not the biggest issue going on I know I'm not moaning. 

Hope you're all staying safe x

teafor2

Crikey, you're doing amazingly well if they're doing 4 hours of school work a day. I've made DS write a chart up of what he's got to do so I know when it needs to be in by and the day before consists of me asking him 100 times if he's done it yet.  He's never once surprised my by saying yes! I know youngest hasn't been in school for a while but have they sent work packs out for her as well? I know you were worried she was falling behind even before all this started. 

I've not heard of the garden rule, is it specifically aimed at your circumstances? Hubby's friend got their 'stay at home for 12 weeks' letter this week - only 3 weeks after we went into lock down! 

I'm not technically minded so can you still use your phone for calls and texts but not for other things? xx

WannabeFree

They don't get loads done tea. But at least I'm trying.

The texts come from NHS/government. It says to remember not to go outside for any reason. Open a window for fresh air and dont take rubbish out etc ask someone else too. 

The phone only works plugged in and for around 2 minutes before it turns off and starts the cycle again. I keep trying to reply quick so it doesn't go off and I have to start again 😂

LondonLiz

Hi MF, sorry to hear about the phone playing up.  About the not going outside at all,  maybe the texts, being brief are not giving you the whole story?  You may have already read the full Guidance for Shielding on the .gov.uk website but just in case you haven't, it actually says the following and is clear you CAN be outside in a private space, so if you do have access to a garden you can use it.  

try spending time with the windows open to let in the fresh air, arranging space to sit and see a nice view (if possible) and get some natural sunlight, or get out into any private space, keeping at least 2 metres away from your neighbours and household members if you are sitting on your doorstep

I know you are understandably being very cautious and following al the rules, but I would hate you and the children to be missing out on outdoor fun because of misinformation.  LLxx

WannabeFree

We aren't to go out at all LL maybe different advice is given to separate groups in the shielding group if that makes sense? 


The ones previous never mentioned the rubbish but states the same must not go outside at all unless an absolute emergency. 

WannabeFree

Like I say maybe its because we are shielding due to respiratory issues? I know those that in shielding due to age can still go out for exercise in a quiet area and social distancing etc.