More discoveries in lockdown
- Finding any reason to laugh and stay positive is more important than…almost anything.
If, like me, you live in a small flat with minimal privacy or free space, it becomes immensely important to get along. And in doing my best to get along, I’ve rediscovered my sense of humour, and a willingness to compromise and let go of things that previously, I had a view on: take-away for supper? Fine… Coke with that? Fine… Watch repeats of favourites all night? Fine… And in letting go, I find that my relaxed attitude encourages cheerfulness all round. - Time spent with people we love is always a good idea.
In common with staying positive, falling into a gentle pace with those nearest and dearest to us is a choice I welcome and more consciously deploy. So I have less privacy, fewer opportunities to do my own thing? Then I’ll make the best of whatever “me” time I do have. I discover I don’t need, or enjoy, being on-line or watching Youtube all the time, so I do much less of that and instead go out for walks or read books from my favourite authors. And when others are nearby, I do my best to enjoy their company. They – let’s face it – have as little freedom to choose their home companions as I do. I have no right to make them miserable, so I do my best to enjoy being fully present with them, often in small ways that add up to something valuable. - When I’m feeling confused, I ask myself, “If time was short, what’s the first thing I would do?” and then I try to go and do it first.
Whether it’s re-prioritising my morning routine – “wash dishes or eat?” – or deciding what piece of work I’ll tackle first, I spend less time wondering, and more time doing, so that my pile of small, conscience-driving tasks gets dealt with quickly. And so, I enjoy all my time more. If I’m really confused, that’s often a sign that I’m overtired, so I’ll take a break. I’ve discovered that most work I attempt while in a frazzle is often not worth much. - It’s never too soon to relax and see things differently.
Being forced into confinement for well-nigh a year, one has to re-organise one’s expectations. So I’ve taken my chances to refresh my ideas of what is worthwhile, based on a decided preference for being relaxed, and taking one day at a time. Slowing down and honestly reflecting on what I prefer, produces surprisingly calming results. - Worrying wastes precious time.
More discoveries in lockdown continue apace. Meantime, instead of worrying and obsessing about the news, I’ll look for the positive or do something to change my mood: go for a walk whatever the weather, write that letter, make that call, do a job that may need attending to, jump on the spot for ten minutes, bake a cake. And for the rest, I don’t want to spoil what opportunities may come my way by worrying about the future. Instead, I find it easier to reserve judgement, grin, and bear it.
Thanks so much for reading. I welcome all your suggestions, comments and ideas.
Please share:
March 4, 2021 @ 8:35 am
Lovely, Fran. The letting go must be quite liberating. I love your positive moves towards being locked up with your family as well as locked down in the sense of the pandemic.
March 4, 2021 @ 9:54 am
Thank you, dear Val. Liberating, indeed. Which is curious: in lockdown, I would have expected to feel the opposite. But then, I’ve always been a contrary soul 😉
It’s been good connecting on a better level with my daughter and husband. I see more humour in them than I used to and I enjoy looking for the humour in most situations. A bit like an easter egg hunt! One of my friend commented recently, that we should be as cheerful as we can be, esp. in front of children, because if we are cross or depressed, one look at our face and they might suppose it was because of them! Which it ain’t, of course. Bless you. I hope life is going well for you. Xxx
March 29, 2021 @ 12:39 am
Dear Fran, I miss your posts. By using the word ‘miss’ I have of course introduced an ambiguity. Like when you drive in traffic and say, “I missed that cyclist.” I miss your posts because there is so much that you make me think. But I also miss them because I don’t get a notification on WordPress’ Reader. Then I spot “Trapped” in my bookshelf and have to look you up because I’ve missed you.
In re “Lockdown”; here in country Victoria the whole Covid thing has not been very uncomfortable. For example the whole state of Victoria has had over thirty days of zero new locally acquired cases.
But the idea of ‘spending time with people you love’ is a bit difficult due to travel restrictions, family squabbles, and the fact that everyone else seems to be so very busy. My sister in Queensland seems to be so busy that she seldom calls but instead send brief texts.
So what have I done. I have a friend called Bear. He and I wander all over Ballarat. Let me show you.
https://wordpress.com/post/paolsoren.wordpress.com/16173
or
https://wordpress.com/post/paolsoren.wordpress.com/16065
Bear has taken over a lot of control of my blog. But he can’t stop me completely.
And that’s how I’m coping.
Love
John
March 29, 2021 @ 12:27 pm
Dear John,
Thanks for your lovely message. It’s delightful, and I can hear you talking. Which is nice, because at the moment we hardly do much except shop for food, eat it and start all over again the next day. Though, even there, I tell a lie. Last week I went to get my first Covid jag, a twenty-six-mile round trip, (which seemed a bit excessive and was very stressful…!) and have been a bit off colour since, wondering, “Is it me, or is it side effects?” But all in all, quite cheerful. I’m reading a lot of books and posting blog reviews occasionally, (which is to say, not very often at all). We could zoom or Skype if you would like to? Is that an idea?
Lots of love and hugs, Fran