views from lockdown – week 1 – 7 April 2020

‘One advantage in keeping a diary is that you become aware with reassuring clarity of the changes which you constantly suffer.’ Franz Kafka, author (1883-1924).

One of the reasons I started my blog five years ago was to record what happened around my garden from month to month and year to year. My blog has become so much more than this. it helps me plan, helps me think through issues, helps me decide what to do next and helps me reflect. Writing, taking photos and gardening really help me – and mindfulness helps me notice the changes.

Sarah from Life in a Breakdown is hosting this link up with Bex from Futures where we can share thoughts, feelings and ideas on how to get through the coming weeks. Here are their first weekly diaries:

• www.lifeinabreakdown.com/life-in-a-lockdown-1
• www.ialwaysbelievedinfutures.com/life-in-a-lockdown-linky
• Follow the links at the bottom of their post for other contributors.

So here’s my answers from the week commencing Mon 1 April. until Tuesday 7 April 2020.

The UK has been in official lockdown since Tues 23 March but we’ve been minimising our face to face interactions with people for a couple of weeks before this.  We last went to a big supermarket in early March.

1) How are you feeling/coping?

I am feeling OK considering everything. Last week brought a sudden decision from my employer to put two-thirds of the organisation on furlough for two months.  I understand completely why they did this, but gosh it was a rush to get handover notes done and set up different systems.  Along with the rest of the team distributed around the UK, I’d been working at home for two weeks.  I didn’t mind this as I’ve often worked at home in previous roles.  I was also getting increasingly anxious about getting the tram to go to work.

Twice over the last five years I’ve spent most of my time at home, due to bereavement, illness, recovery and working from home.  I discovered just how much resilience I have and how to top it up whether it’s yoga, mindfulness, crafting, cooking, gardening or SAYING NO.

2) What are you doing to keep yourself occupied?

Gardening, cooking and tidying around the house. I’m also doing a couple of hours a day on either my blog, photography or some online courses I’ve wanted to take for a while.  Concentrating on small projects helps me stop my mind racing away.

3) How are you dealing with everything at the moment – are you self-isolated, going out for essentials etc? Has this changed?

We are staying around our house and garden – a daily run/walk for us. My chap is going to smaller shops once a week.  We are so fortunate we can cook, have outside space, have money coming in and like each others company.  So many people aren’t so fortunate.

4) What advice do you have for others?

Follow the lockdown rules and wash your hands often.

Try to focus on what you can influence – your life and your family and your immediate situation. Check in with friends and family even if it’s just an email or a text.

Limit how much news/social media you consume and if you do look make sure you’re only checking from experts – and point your friends towards the experts.

I’m very unhappy about how the government is handling the situation especially regarding PPE.  I’m doing my bit to support initiatives, like the foodbank, supplies for scrubs and PPE, financially as there’s very little I can do myself due to my OA.

5) What have you bought this week that others might like? Especially if from a small business.

I haven’t bought anything this week online – but I am working my way through my stash of crafting bits and bobs.  I am going back to small projects which I’ve not finished.  I know I’m rubbish at working on big projects, as I get overwhelmed how much there is to do.

I’ve posted cards to friends and sent small gifts for birthdays.

And remember, be kind especially be kind to yourself.  We are living in the strangest of times. It’s OK to not do much either, just getting out of bed is enough.

6) How has your routine been this week? (Question by Don’t Cramp My Style)

It’s been good – We get up and have breakfast before 9am – I do a couple of hours on computer – I’m doing some online learning, watching some training courses and have started to write this blog again.  Lunch in the garden – and then some gardening and housework.  Followed by a late afternoon walk around Monton or along the Bridgewater Canal.  I am happy that My Chap is home with me too – he got furloughed a week before me.

7) Have you planned anything for once lockdown is over this week? (Question by Don’t Cramp My Style)

I am going to visit my mum who lives down south. She’s in her 80s and has been socially isolating for over a month. Luckily she has a good support system for essential shopping and is getting deliveries.  Her cat is keeping her company, she loves gardening and has plenty of hobbies to keep her occupied.

Spend time with my pals, my WI posse and my yoga buddies in the same room.

I’m also going to the seaside 🙂

I am really enjoying my tulips coming up over the last week or so.  I will definitely book to go to the Netherlands next year to visit the Keukenhof Gardens.

https://keukenhof.nl/en/

They have some fabulous videos.  If you love tulips get have a look and spend time with the beautiful blooms.

Here are some tulips I saw in a tough outside my local little co-op shop.  Flowers and nature are all around us – just take the time to notice.

8) Anything else.

Just a reminder to be kind to yourself, do the things that make you and your loved ones happy and focus on simple pleasures. You don’t need to make huge changes in your life right now, we are in the middle of a world-changing experience.

I’m leaving some gorgeous blossom for those who can’t get outside as much as I can or live in a different time zone, so the plants and flowers are different.

Cherry Blossom trees on Monton Green – taken with my Trio 28 Lensbaby sweet. Copyright R Jones 2020

Blossom, is for me, the sign that Spring is most definitely here.  Have as good a week as you can do everyone,

Carpe Diem,

Love Bec xx xx xx

Follow my view from life in lockdown

• views from lockdown – early March, working from home
• views from lockdown – week 1 – 7 April 2020
• views from lockdown – week 2 – 14-April
• views from lockdown – week 3 – 21 April 2020
• views from lockdown – week 4 – 28 April 2020
• views from lockdown – week 5 – 5 May 2020
• views from lockdown – week 6 – 12 May 2020
• views from lockdown week 7 – 19 May 2020

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If you’d like to join in with Sarah from ‘Life in a Breakdown’, Bex ‘from ‘Futures’ and the contributors,

Click the picture below for the link up info:

Not got a blog? just email yourself your answers to these questions.