Lockdown can be exhausting.
I’m not a key worker. There’s noone else I have to look after day to day. I’m doing this solo which most the time I’m fine with.
But some days it’s exhausting.
Perhaps it was the 3 hour videoconference I was on. I only had to show my face for some of it so the rest of the time I could stand or carry my laptop with me into the kitchen to make another coffee or have a bite to eat.
Perhaps it was running the gauntlet of a local supermarket. There was little in the way of the queue. I wore a buff over my mouth and nose. I got most of what I wanted, nothing so important I can’t live without. I got a few items for my neighbours. I can’t quite get used to seeing many of the staff with full face shields.
Perhaps it’s the sun and the heat. My Aussie friends will laugh. It was 27 degrees. The sun was hot on my skin. This spring I’m getting some great tan lines even with wearing 30+ every time I go out on a sunny day.
Perhaps it’s the underlying existential crisis and stress we’re all living with. I know people who have had losses, some Covid-19 related, others because of other things. All have had to learn to grieve in unfamiliar ways.
So by 4pm the only thing to do was nap. There is something comforting about a good nap. I perhaps nap once a week. I’ve been doing it more often in lockdown. And I’m learning to be kinder to myself. First thing in the morning, I write in my diary a list of things I want to get done. Sometimes I get through it, other times I move the less urgent things to the next day. It works for me.
And compared to the early days of lockdown, I’m following fewer updates. But I do follow the main points. Yes, we’ve hit 5,000,000+ confirmed cases globally. In the UK, a further 338 deaths bringing the total to 36,042. Evidence suggests that up to 17% of people in London may have had the virus. It’s estimated at about 5% for the rest of the country. They’ll be rolling out antibody tests soon, though give the evidence is limited, as far as I know, having the antibodies (which means you’ve had the virus) doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get it again. And there’s limited evidence on how long possible ‘immunity’ might last for.
It’s a lovely evening and it’s time to enjoy some lovely food while sitting by my window. Oh to have a garden or balcony, but on the whole, I’m in a good place.
So that’s it for Day 59. Stay safe, stay well, and stay home!