We’ve all completed one whole year of lockdown …. how are you?
In my present booking we are only a 5-minute walk from the little town although the house is fairly hidden away and has a rather large garden with loads of wildlife coming to visit. My exciting outing is walking to Boots for the monthly medications and the odd visit to the supermarket if I need something urgently.
I was so lucky to start a new booking on lockdown day, 23rd March 2020, it was just for a few weeks until the regular carers returned from SA. I’m still here and don’t think I’ll be leaving very soon because of all the restrictions on travel plus the cost of isolating when entering the UK. I couldn’t have picked a better place to isolate for a year with my client.
My client goes back to bed most mornings after breakfast until lunchtime. He sometimes reads the paper the whole afternoon or sits in his chair. There’s hardly any conversation at all. Wow, you say, what an easy job and you’re right but what a lonely job too. I talk to myself even more than I used to. I have made friends with the muntjacs, squirrels, woodpeckers, ducks and all the birds that come to the feeder. This wonderful wildlife has kept me going for the past year. What thing or things have kept you going through this?
For some it’s been a horrific year, not being able to get home to family, losing a parent or sibling and not being allowed to go to the hospital with them or travel home to be with them during their final days. This disease has been very cruel and it has spread over the whole world causing havoc everywhere. We still have a long way to go before life can return to some normality. I don’t think it will ever be the same as we knew it.
The powers that be are now suggesting we have a vaccine passport to be able to travel to other countries, that will cause another war with those who are refusing to have this vaccine. I’m glad that I’ve had both and have done my bit to try and stop the spread as well as protecting myself from serious illness.
I hate to admit it but this past year has really affected me. I am managing to do all the daily chores but am struggling to do any productive things for myself.
I still need to finish my photography course and a few others that I bought at the start of lockdown. I just cannot knuckle down and concentrate. I am hoping today is a major breakthrough as I’ve been promising to write this blog for the past 6 months!
I have been completing 10000 steps per day for the past six weeks and believe this is definitely helping to lift the spirits. Some days I struggle to reach my goal but have persevered even if it’s marching around the kitchen waiting for my gent to come down for breakfast.
You have all been amazing during this very trying time. I take my hat off to all the carers who have continued to use public transport to travel to your various clients dotted around the country.
It looks like we’re going to get the green light regarding travel to see our loved ones very soon. There will still be some red listed countries and unfortunately South Africa is one of them. My biggest problem is not being able to make plans for my next trip, the uncertainty is eating away at me. I normally book within a couple of weeks of arriving back in the UK. Just having something to look forward to sets me up for the next stint of work.
A few of you seem to be strolling through this time, please let me know your secret, there might be something specific that I can do to get me back on track.
I did have a day off yesterday, my first in 6 months. Wow, did that feel good, I remembered how to drive (4 hours on the road), my car had its first good run, so we both got rid of the cobwebs. It was amazing just to feel that sense of freedom. I sincerely hope it lasts and we can start living again.
Good luck to everyone for the year ahead.
Take one step at a time my friend. I also struggle to get motivated. I have found that my To Do List has become so long that I am feeling very pressurised to start but everytime I look at it I get overwhelmed..
I have decided to put them into a priority list then take the top 5 and then just do those. I found my doing that I feel able to move forward. I even did did 2 x 5 so did 10 off the list today..
Sending lots of love and hugs
Thanks for being the one that started me on my 10000 steps per day. It seems to be helping my brain to function again. Yes one step at a time, it will happen
I was advised many years ago that when you are faced with daunting tasks (like sorting out the linen cupboard), you should commit 10 minutes per day to them. No more and no less. We can all spare 10 minutes and it is amazing what you can do in that time 😊
That’s good advice Kelly thanks x
Hi Lorna. Congrats on your new blog. It’s fabulous and you have yet another gift… that of writing and inviting us into your life to share your thoughts and innermost feelings. Yes, you may have an ‘easier’ client but you still don’t have your freedom and that is why live-in care is SO taxing on us, in all ways. Physically, emotionally, mentally and intellectually. Finding motivation to do things for ourselves is understandable. I put off doing my twice weekly Pilates online classes… then frantically try playing catch up the following week! Once I do a class I feel so much better for doing it… It’s just finding the motivation to do it on my own! I am very happy to share my classes with you via email if you’re keen to do some Pilates. I’ve carried on since lockdown with my teacher from Ministry of Yoga and to be honest, these online classes on Mon and Fri have helped me remain focussed, well toned and I’ve not put on weight during lockdown. I’ve missed travelling and can’t wait to rebook my SA holiday which was cancelled three days after the March 23rd lockdown. I won’t travel until I know for sure there will be no quarantine period on my return. I can’t afford it and it would spoil the entire holiday knowing I had to do this on my return. I think you need longer than a week’s break from caring to enjoy your static in Bude. The invitation is always open to come to me, have a change of scenery, enjoy some lovely nature walks, do exactly as you please with your days and nights and have my company if you choose to do so. Then drive onto Bude. As I mentioned I’ll be travelling down to Cornwall during the same week. It’s up to you to decide. I’d love to see you!
Thanks for being so kind and thoughtful. I am following some walk-at-home videos which are helping me to achieve my steps every day. I am now organising a two-week break in June so that is something I can look forward to.
Oh I have dreadful days. So many of us cannot leave the country for a holiday. I desperately want to see my family, specially Kennedy that cannot understand why I don’t visit. The ones complaining they have to pay quarantine hotel, you are lucky, we aren’t.
Yes, the fact that I can’t plan a visit to see my boys is eating away at me. It’s not a good feeling
Thank you Lorna for these beautiful words, you are an inspiration to many of us. So many stories to be told, heartbreaking times for peoole and carers away from families. I love your communication with animals and nature, lots of love xx
Thanks Lynne, you’ve really gone through heartbreak yourself, what an awful year. I sincerely hope you travel safely next month and find peace during your time there x
A true insight into the restrictionss and lonely times we have endured, my friend. Like you, I have battled to remain productive and have almost given up reading together in spite of having been a compulsive reader for years. My mind seems to have shrunk along with my humour, tolerance and bonhomie. Living in limbo is soul destroying. Give me a goal to work towards and I can do it…but to left drifting aimless is torture. Being a fellow osteoporosit, I am trying to do a minimum of 7500 steps per day I find the easiest way,when stuck indoors day after day, is to put my earphones in and dance while doing housework etc…also cheers me up. I met up with Bev today and for one brief moment in time, I felt like my old self. Now the ball is over and I am back in
my pumpkin returning to my life of drudgery. I envy you your wildlife. Nothing lifts my spirits more than being around animals. Wish we could meet up, Lorna…but thank Heaven we can “chat” and air our grievances. Stay strong ❤
Nice to know I’m not the only one feeling like this and yes the wildlife has definitely kept me going through this lonely year.
Fabulous Lorna. Good stuff and it’s nice to hear how your job is going and your inner thoughts. Yes exercise is really important and I must confess I’ve been rather remiss throughout the winter. But I was also suffering unknowingly with Vit B12 deficiency and I could barely make it through the day for tiredness. But your blog has encouraged me to keep my own exercise efforts up and clock 10,000 each day. Well done you.💞❤️💕
Thanks Liz, keep us posted regarding your 10000 steps, it’s certainly helping to get my brain going again.
Well done Lorna, mentally this year has taken its toll on many people – I too happen to be one of them. The uncertainty is breaking. It feels better knowing that others are feeling the same way, not nice but not as lonely. Stay strong xx
Thanks Helen, the past year seems to have affected us all in some way. It is comforting to know I’m not the only one feeling like this.
Wonderful words thank you from the bottom of my heart xx
Thank you, I hope you are all well x
Beautifully written as always Lorna ❤
Thanks Gillian