Quarantine Pros and Cons

I would be really interested in hearing other people's experience of quarantine. Plus this will be something to look back on in the future:

Pros

•  I've been able to spend more time with my daughter. 
• Some days I feel really creative (usual day to day life often creates a creative block) and have the time to craft, draw, paint etc.
• I have more time and energy to involve my daughter in creative things and she loves it too.
• I'm fortunate enough to still have a job and income, something I absolutely DO NOT take for granted. I know some who aren't so lucky.
• I've explored more of the beautiful green belt where I live, we've really enjoyed our walks as a family.
• I've seen first hand that nature is blooming again and even seen a fox on one of my walks.
• On the days we've felt motivated, we've de-cluttered a lot of the house and garden (got all the crappy jobs we put off done).
• I've actually been eating better during quarantine and preparing more meals from scratch.
• To my surprise I've actually done some exercise, not a lot but some!

Cons

• The big one: not seeing my family. I saw my mum most days and my dad and sister often. I know they are missing my daughter terribly.
• My daughter is only 2 so she doesn't understand why she can't see her family and friends. It breaks my heart when she says she misses them and wants to see them
• Some days I feel really un-motivated and the reality of the situation hits me. 
• Anxiety: it's not been as bad as I anticipated however it does creep up sometimes. I like to be in control of situations so it's been difficult for me mentally.
• The uncertainty of what is happening sometimes makes me panic. Usually around the time when the government make an announcement I start to worry about the upcoming changes.
• The impending changes that are going to happen. I know it will take time to get used to a new routine again (one that no doubt will be changing all the time)
• Health concerns. Not just for me, but my family, colleagues and students. Not having much faith in the government and having a death plague around is disconcerting! 
• Going back to work. Now this is a mine field. I work at a school. A PRIMARY school. After so much time off it would be hard to settle back in. NOW we to deal with uncertainty and concern for our students and staff on top of it. 
• Not seeing friends and socialising. 
• Missed events. My mum's 60th, likely my sister's 30th, a concert with my family, my husband and friend's birthday, my friend's wedding. They're the main ones.
• Not being as mentally stimulated. I have to think on my feet a lot in work and I have missed teaching the children.
• Fear that my daughter is missing out. No nursery. No days out. Worried that this will impact her development.
• Of course the fact that there's a pandemic killing thousands of people :( 

Not sure there is a point to this post but it does help sometimes just to get everything down. Please share your experiences too if you'd like. 

Covid19

I have not felt the need to write on this blog for quite some time, as when I do it is a cathartic act for when I am worried. Along with many, the uncertainty and limbo we have been left in has finally triggered my anxiety. Up until a couple of days ago I was admittedly blase about the virus and it's impact. Well not blase, but on the fence about it. Not sure what to think. Is this all an under or over reaction?

This type of anxiety I am feeling is manageable at present but it is near unbearable being in limbo. This staggered response by the government is hard to cope with. Personally, I would rather be on total lockdown so I know where I stand. Simple daily acts have now become a subject of uncertainty.

I can only comment on my personal experience. Currently, I am in limbo about my job. I just can't see a feasible outcome. I work in a school that will be open for vulnerable children and those who have key worker parents. I have to go to sleep tonight not knowing what my working life will be like next week. With staff and children already in isolation it is hard to imagine what is going to happen.

I mention work first because that is what's impacting me first. Of course I also have worries about the actual virus itself and the people that will lose their lives because of it. I have to now think carefully of who I interact with. Could I be potentially infecting them without knowing? It's a horrible thought. Especially with elderly relatives. Working in a school environment has obviously left me quite exposed. As does the need to use public transport daily.

I suppose the conflicting advice being given out at the moment is frustrating me. The lack of control is making me anxious. My husband working in health care has left us under pressure and irritable. I'm not even going to mention the bulk buyers!

This post may be a little fragmented but so is my brain at the minute. I hope by sharing some thoughts on this I can reach some common ground with people. Know that not everyone is out there for themselves and whatever worries you have they are valid. We are living in unprecedented times.