Life in Lockdown

I haven't written on here for a while. Mainly because hardly anything has changed, so I don't have much to say. We are still in lockdown, probably for at least another three weeks. I totally understand why, and I believe it is the safest way to deal with things right now. But it is hard. I shouldn't complain, really. Other people are in more difficult situations than I am, and at least everyone in my house is healthy. I thought I would find this relatively easy to deal with...but occasionally, it seems hard.

There is still pressure (or at least, percieved pressure) on people to be productive in this time. I still need to keep on top of housework, cleaning, shopping, trying (and failing) to write, homeschooling etc. All while there is a constant, nagging panic about the virus in the back of my mind. As well as the worry of what will happen when lockdown is lifted. I doubt we will be able to just go back to the way things were. And what if there is a second wave?

I don't know when I will next see any of my friends, my sister and other family members. I don't know when (or if) my son will get to see his school friends again. If we end up having to move as soon as lockdown restrictions are eased, we may not get the chance to see anyone before we go.

I suppose, in reality, none of this really matters. What matters is staying safe. If that means that we don't go further than the garden for the next month or so, then so be it. There is not much point in worrying about the things beyond our control (that's what I keep telling myself).

What is 'normal' now?

Lockdown looks like it will continue for a while, but what will happen after that? I've read various things saying that it won't be a straight forward 'get back to normal', it will be a sort of gradual process, possibly with future lockdowns if necessary. The old 'normal' way of life seems to be gone.

I suppose there could be some positives, people will hopefully be more considerate and appreciate others more, be kinder. Maybe more people will try to grow their own food, rather than buying vegetables in plastic packaging, or cook more rather than buying ready-made meals. The NHS and key workers will be valued a lot more than they were before, and hopefully paid more!

But there is so much uncertainty. Will we still rely on schools so much, or will some people carry on homeschooling? Is the National Curriculum as important, or is it worth teaching more life-skills like cooking, nutrition, gardening etc.? I know some schools already do those things....but will we focus on them more? Will more people carry on working from home? So many questions.

This all feels a bit unreal...like it's not really happening, it's all in a film or a book or something. I suppose that's because most people, myself included, have never had to deal with anything like this. We've only ever seen it in fiction. Now it's a sad reality and we all have to try to adjust to a different way of life. As time goes on, there will probably be a new kind of 'normal'.

Just some thoughts

I wonder if anything will change, long-term, after the pandemic is over. I keep thinking about things I will possibly continue, ar at least try to continue, after all this is over. Or even new things I will start to do. For a start, I am going to start doing some gardening. I'm also going to make an effort to go outside every day, even if the weather is horrible. Being outside was something I took for granted before all this, I am going to make an effort to appreciate the outside world a bit more. Maybe I'll start going running again (I am a terrible runner!), or just do yoga in the garden.

I'm not sure about the homeschooling. It might be something we can continue, but it depends on a lot of things. I don't even know when schools will be open again at the moment, or if I will be able to get my son into a school once we've moved. It's something to think about, though.

My sister is going to be moving away . She's going much further north, which will be lovely and I totally understand why she wants to do this, but it will be strange not seeing her (or my nephews) regularly. Still, it will be nice to do short (or longer) holidays to visit her!