Thank God it’s Friday! I’ll admit it’s been a difficult week, despite it being shorter due to the bank holiday - and not just because it’s been half term. Anyone else feel the same? 
My last day in the office was Friday 13th March - 11 weeks ago. I’ve been working at home since. It’s now also 9 weeks since I last set foot in a shop, and 3.5 months since I last saw my elderly parents. What affects me most is not how long has passed - but how long still remains
I’ve adjusted as much as I can. The whole family has settled into new routines while maintaining as much ‘normal’ as we can. We’ve accepted the tedium that is part of following the lockdown rules and protecting ourselves and others. That’s okay. But it *has* taken a toll
We’re all a little tetchy with each other. We’re all suffering from low energy levels. We’re all struggling with fitness, weight and comfort eating. For me, it’s a real struggle to haul myself out of bed every morning, no matter how much more I sleep
It’s what psychologists call ‘regression’, which we hit once the adrenaline rush of the initial ‘emergency’ phase subsides. We miss our old freedoms and habits and we still can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. The ‘recovery’ phase seems a long way away
In some ways, this is the most dangerous time of all now. Everyone is suffering from lockdown fatigue. The virus still isn’t fully under control. Pressure to restart the economy is rising. But people still aren’t reassured that it’s safe to do so
Resentment builds between those who are still shielding or following the rules and those who’ve had enough (or have had to work as normal through lockdown anyway). Government comms policy remains driven by public relations over public health, buck-passing over accountability
All the while, the clock still ticks. A few hundred more deaths every day, R below 1 but still precarious. Cancer diagnoses being missed. More jobs and businesses at risk. A country ever more divided by its political views. Mental health issues quietly rising
I’m one of the lucky ones. I’m in ‘regression’ but my stress is manageable. Still working, still being paid. Kids coping with lack of school. Not everyone is so fortunate. The longer this shambles goes on, the more the hidden cost of this pandemic will reveal itself
So if you’re struggling and feel alone, know that you’re not. Find someone you can talk to. Be kind to yourself. So much of what is happening is beyond our individual control - so control those things you can change 👍 ~END~
@threadreaderapp Unroll, please 👍
