September 1 – Life in a Lockdown #22
Here we are it is Tuesday once again.
It seems to come around so quickly, yet take such a long time as well.
Last week I had an opticians visit, for the first time I’ve not needed to change my contacts. So I am hoping that means perhaps the CXL has slowed down the progression of my Keratoconus. They also think they might be able to get my slightly better vision in glasses so I can at least see a little more of the world when I can’t wear my contacts. It’s going to be expensive, but worth a try I think.
To kick off the post I must as always say a thank you to Bex at Futures for joining me each week and of course Jenni at Lyrical Host (affiliate link) for kickstarting the idea!
If you would like to take part I promise it is simple:
We do ask that you give both Bex and I a link back in your post, with how you find the link-up! You will be able to copy all the questions from below to answer in your own world.
Then all you need to do is pop back to mine or Bex’s post and pop your link in the inlinkz so we can come and read your post.
1) How are you feeling/coping?
2) What have you been up to over the past 7 days?
3) What are your priorities at the moment, have you changed what you will / won’t go out for?
4) Have you found anywhere doing a really good job of catering to social distancing?
5) What have you bought this week that others might like? Especially if from a small business.
6) How has your routine been this week?
7) What have you learnt over lockdown (this doesn’t have to be a skill, it could be about yourself, your family, or something else).
8) What have you been grateful for over the past 7 days?
So what did week 22 hold:
1) How are you feeling/coping?
My fatigue is bad, at this point I feel like it going to be the theme of the year. 2020 = fatigue = bad.
I’m trying to work through the fact that I have realised I have never grieved for any loss. I was taught at some point to put things hard to deal with in a box (probably to deal with when I could cope). However, this changed to never. I basically disassociated with it all. So now I’m like how do I undo this tangled web?
I’ve ordered some simple books on grief, as I feel like it’s something I’ve learned the wrong way to cope with and need to start from 0. However, if anyone has any ideas I would love to know.
2) What have you been up to over the past 7 days?
Last week was basically all out due to DBT and opticians.
DBT knocks me out of energy for a couple of days and the opticians definitely took it out of me the next day.
It is hard when just simple things take all the energy you have to give.
3) What are your priorities at the moment, have you changed what you will / won’t go out for?
Pretty much the same as it has been. Only going out when we have to.
I’ve booked in our flu jab for this year – so we are in sooner rather than later.
4) Have you found anywhere doing a really good job of catering to social distancing?
I was actually surprised by how well the opticians were managing.
You could only get in when someone opened the door for you, lots of sanitiser, everyone in masks and everything cleaned between uses.
5) What have you bought this week that others might like? Especially if from a small business.
I’ve spoken a lot about how my anxiety has been really bad.
I bought this lava stone wrap around bracelet from The Scented Owl.
Lava Stone is naturally quite porous, so it works well for adding lavender oil too.
As I find lavender a relaxing scent I thought it would be interesting to try this bracelet and see if carrying it with me helped me relax as and when needed.
It cost £8.99 and to be honest even if the scent doesn’t help – it is a really pretty bracelet.
6) How has your routine been this week?
Yeah it’s been OK – I mean we don’t have much of a daily routine what with the fact I work from home.
However, I am trying to make sure I always at least head off to bed around the same time each night.
7) What have you learnt over lockdown (this doesn’t have to be a skill, it could be about yourself, your family, or something else).
I can’t think of anything to add this week to what I have said before.
I guess perhaps I am a little more social than I thought I was, as I do miss seeing more people.
8) What have you been grateful for over the past 7 days?
The fact I have people around me who support and care for me.
When I feel like I am falling somewhere is there to help.
Check Out These Posts
A huge thank you as always to everyone who linked up with us last week.
Check out these posts:
Stressed Mum
Susan K Mann
Link Up With Us!
Don’t forget to grab our button, give both Bex and I a link in your post and then head back to one our of our blogs to link up with your answers using the linky!
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Thank you to everyone who has joined in with us this week – I hope to see you next week as well!
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It’s good that you have talked about grief, it is a topic that people tend to avoid as it is so uncomfortable
Definitely I’m still struggling with the fact it is something I have avoided for so long and I don’t know how to change that.
I can relate to the fatigue it really gets me both mentally and physically that’s with suffering Generalised Anxiety Disorder has been a nightmare. My daughter was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma in her arm and that put the cap on it for me. She’s had an operation and thankfully her lymph nodes is ok. Still not been able to hug my grandson and I’m so tired of the lockdown. I find myself breathless and my digestive system.is upset. I think so many people are being affected with mental issues . I won’t see my gp because when I go they never find anything physically wrong it’s all due to anxiety . Hope you keep as well as you can and have a better week coming. Loving your finds and I do like the bracelet x
Oh my goodness I am so sorry about your daughter – I am glad the lymph nodes are OK.
It’s just such a horrid world right now isn’t it?
Great to hear about the Optician, it’s always good to cross a task of a list isn’t it? We’re so far behind with everything we need to get done.
I love the bracelet too.
I hope you have an easier week next week x
I feel like once this is all over we will all be running on catch up for a long time to come.
It sounds as though you’ve had a tough week. Routines are hard to get into. I am struggling and been back to school for a few weeks. x
I bet getting used to the school routine is going to be hard for so many.
Love the bracelet, and the idea of putting lavender in it. My husband had his eyes tested last week, and said how organised it was…..which reminds me, need to order some glasses
Good luck with ordering the glasses! Always so expensive isn’t it?
Wow. Who would have thought things would still be weird at 22 weeks. I don’t think there’s anyone escaped without it adversely effecting them. Let’s hope normal is back sooner rather than later.
It’s crazy isn’t it, I thought it would all be over in a few weeks but nope here we are, still dealing with the “new” normal.
This past week has been taken up with us getting ready for school. Luckily everything went well yesterday
I’m so glad everything went well for you with going back to school. I bet it has been so different for kids!
That bracelet is nice. Even if it doesn’t have smell at all. Nice article.
Thank you it is a lovely bracelet and it smells amazing when you add in the oil.
Really sorry you’re struggling with fatigue-it’s an absolute killer for me too!
This year has been the worst for it – so many people seem to be struggling.
It’s crazy how different life is now in our current Covid era. Although it sometimes feels like things are getting better, the flare ups remind us that we can’t let our guard down. Finding new hobbies and routines makes it easier. Hope things get more manageable for you.
Definitely, it is going to be interesting to see how the winter plays out I think and then I hope next year will bring a better one for all.
This lockdown has been hard on my fatigue as well. But it isn’t easy staying home 24/7. I was used to it but being told not to go out was hard. It took away what felt like the little bit of freedom that I had. I had to find new hobbies and tried to spend time outdoors as much as we could.
So many people have said to me they have really struggled with fatigue over lockdown even if it isn’t something they normally have they have been like I’m just so tired I can’t get my energy levels up at all.
Grief is such an important topic but something which most people try not to confront so having a book explaining it in details must be eye opening. Also glad you got your contact lenses sorted this week.
Thank you – it has been interesting I can see myself in some of the things so clearly.
I somehow feel a bit of relief whe I learn of services, etc re -opening. As life goes on, it may be different ‘a new normal’. But we still need services to get on with life. Glad that you got to the optician. Fiancé has an appointment for a dental check up.
We took the opportunity to “Eat Out to Help Out” meal was delicious! Was nice, as we hadn’t been to that restaurant for some time. Seems each establishment has measures in place :- Hand Sanitising gel, stickers on floor for “Social Distancing” guidance, etc. But they vary, likely depending on the establishment layout, etc.
Bereavement :- Something that we all have to deal with at some point. Varies depending on circumstances, timing, other changes /stressors, etc. I believe it is a process :- It takes time, we readjust / learn to accept the new normal (life without the lost loved one /s) over a matter of time. There will be reminders, etc :- Somehow we need to aim to live without them, let go of any negative feelings /memories relating to the loss /es. Learn to live with the benefit of “happy memories”, acknowledging how lucky we were to have people /pets, etc in our life :- Gone, but never forgotten. Remembered with Love.
Sometimes a number of losses in a short timespan can lead to the process being different, perhaps longer than a previous single loss / bereavement.
Pets are part of our family. They give unconditional love, they can be loyal, loving and provide us with endorphins (“Feel Good Hormones”).
You have and are still dealing with your health concerns, as well as bereavement. Be Kind and Patient with yourself.
Best Wishes!
Thank you – sometimes I forget to be kind to myself I have to admit.
Things have been going pretty well here. A few things have changed, like my kids are doing virtual schooling for now. It’s going to be different, but we’are all excited.
It is so interesting how different places are dealing with it – a lot of the schools here are all back now.
This is a really great list, but I prefer to call it a quarantine for safety and health.
I guess it is different for everyone and how things are being dealt with locally as well.
It is great to hear that the opticians have been doing well with the social distancing situation, so at least you can have a stress free visit x
I was amazed at how well they were dealing with it to be honest.
It sounds as though you’ve had a tough week. Routines are nonexistent here still, which worries me slightly as I know heading back to school again will be a big hurdle for us all!
Oh gosh – good luck with the back to school, I bet it is going to be such a change for all.
This is a great way to support others during this hard time. I know I feel different from week to week. We are virtual learning right now and it is hard.
It is hard isn’t it the world is so up and down and normal support routes are closed.
I’ve never had DBT specifically, but I have therapy this afternoon and it always makes me super tired too. It’s exhausting to talk about your feelings for an hour at a time. But it definitely helps!
It is strange how things mentally can make you absolutely exhausted, isn’t it? I find that mental activities can be as draining as physical ones.
I think I would need a bracelet like that and pour some of that “stress relief” essential oil I have here at home. I will check it out on Etsy. The past week for me was full of ups and downs. My grandson started school. He is now in Kindergarten and his school is doing full online classes this year. I am glad he is learning to cope with this new way of attending school and meeting his friends through a “virtual classroom.”
It’s really good and it comes with a little bottle of lavender and chamomile I think but 100% you can use anything you want.
I discovered this week that my relationship has become a victim of lockdown, after 22 years my partner has told me he will be leaving.
Oh no, I am so so sorry. I am hearing it has happened more and more 🙁
It sounds like you have had a busy week especially if you are working as well. Most of the people I know with Fibromyalgia don’t work so do a lot more than me. But when I am working I don’t have the energy. I have just had a fortnight off and spent a lot of it resting. Weather was not great and I had been long over due a break so needed it. But I did go to the farm with my family and we took my son’s best friend it was great and the week before we got one nice day and went the park with my sister that was lovely. I hope it works out with the glasses and keep up the posts I don’t always get time to read them but days like today I find I have the time 🙂
My work is just my blog so I’m lucky that I can do it as and when or from my bed, I often try and write a few things up over the weekend so I at least don’t have to do much in the more busy week.
I love shopping on Etsy. They always have great finds.
Etsy is the best isn’t it, I love how talented people are on there.
In my case lockdown hasn’t been that bad just the pain seeing family members and friends getting sick. That has been the hardest part.
I’m glad you have found it hasn’t been too bad for you – I think some people are getting on OK.
I like to use lavender oil too when I feel a bit stressed. Been going to the doctors this week too
It’s amazing how certain scents can affect how you feel.
Life in this lockdown has been a really good learning and adapting process that i wont forget in a hurry. can I just say those bracelets are really cute
Definitely I think it is something we will always remember, however hopefully never have to go through again.
Ah fingers crossed the CXL has slowed it down – that would be fab if it has! I can’t believe we’re on week 22 of this linky already!
It’s crazy isn’t it – like will we ever go back to normal? Will things get better?! I definitely think we keep it going into winter and see what happens then.
I really like the lava bracelet. We’re still only going out when we have to also.
It’s really nice I like how it keeps the scent for so long as well.
That bracelet is very pretty. I have not bought any jewelry in along time but this would be on my list. I am so used to our new normal and going out is a process.
It is strange isn’t it – the old normal seems to far away from what it once was.
It’s great that your opticians have opened and have been on top of keeping on top of cleaning whilst offering a service. Our one never reopened and we haven’t had a chance to find another as none will take with me 3 kids.
Oh no that’s not good! Yeah they bring out a little tray and you put in anything you touch and it goes through a cleaner!
My routine has been fairly good. I’m a bit behind, but not as far behind as I imagined I was. Time has become sort of like a mysterious river for me over the past few months.
I am with you there – I can’t keep track of time at all – it seems to go slow but also so fast.
I need to get something like that bracelet and drown it in lavender. I have been stressed out beyond belief for the past few months, and I really think I should probably bathe in that stuff for a while.
Honestly, that is what I could do with I don’t even know how to bring my stress levels down.
I really like the bracelet. I’ve been buying quite a bit of stuff from Etsy lately.
It’s always nice to have a support system!
Etsy is fab isn’t it – I am awful at buying things from there.
I totally get you on grief when my Grandad died years ago it was suggested I had councelling, I thought it would be a load of rubbish but went along. I sat there the whole hour hardly said a word a cried my eyes out but it did help.
As for the fatigue, I give C Vitamin D and B12 patches also trying her on a new supplement (only started today) as suggested by her consultant
I think I probably need some specialised counselling a go – going to mention it to my CPN on Friday and see what she thinks.
I hope they help her out! I notice a huge difference when my Vit D is low and my B12 goes up and down I need to get it retested at some point.