Hi everyone
It has been a very long time since I last wrote a blog but I have been thinking a lot recently about loneliness and isolation. It is a very strange and trying time for a lot of people at the moment and some have been struggling with being on their own.
A lot of people I have spoken to have suffered with feeling lonely the last few months due to the lockdown. Some of them had no prior mental health conditions and some have suffered for years. It has shown that it is completely natural to feel depressed and anxious at times. It has also clearly shown how easy it is to feel isolated and lonely even when you are not alone.
It is situations such as this which bring out the best and worst in people. It has really been a time of reflection and contemplation for many and people have dealt with it in different ways.
Some people have taken up a new hobby or learnt something new, taking advantage of the time available which we didn’t have before.
Some people have thrown themselves into working more than ever, or volunteering as a key worker.
Some people have dealt with it quite poorly, internalising and wallowing in the isolation.
And some people, including myself, have selected the ‘all of the above’ option!
I have spent more time then ever on the phone to friends and family, I have started to teach myself knitting and had a go at yoga, I have worked overtime and volunteered as an NHS Volunteer Responder, and I have had a couple of complete meltdowns! I think that I have reflected on how it must feel for those who are quite isolated all of the time, such as my grandma who is 94 and lives alone, and I have made a conscious effort to phone her more and went to visit her on her birthday. I have also reflected on how those in a relationship who are not used to being together 24/7 will cope with suddenly being thrust together permanently and potentially run out of things to talk about. My husband and I haven’t spent so much time together in years and it is definitely a ‘make or break’ situation. Luckily I think that we will come out of it stronger unlike some many other couples who have unfortunately (or fortunately!) decided to end things during this period.
I have also thought a lot about all of the things we as a whole have missed out on over the last few months. The big events, birthdays, weddings and the like, but also the smaller things like visiting family, nights out with friends or date night at the cinema.
Those of you who have used this time to learn something new, volunteer to help others, better yourself as a person, I commend you.
Those of you who have completely lost the plot, not gotten dressed for weeks and eaten mainly pot noodles and crisps, I commend you also.
It is important to remember that we will come out of this stronger, no matter our circumstances and it is equally important that we don’t forget what we have been through as individuals and as a community.
We may never completely get back to normal and that’s ok.
Emily x
It has been a very long time since I last wrote a blog but I have been thinking a lot recently about loneliness and isolation. It is a very strange and trying time for a lot of people at the moment and some have been struggling with being on their own.
A lot of people I have spoken to have suffered with feeling lonely the last few months due to the lockdown. Some of them had no prior mental health conditions and some have suffered for years. It has shown that it is completely natural to feel depressed and anxious at times. It has also clearly shown how easy it is to feel isolated and lonely even when you are not alone.
It is situations such as this which bring out the best and worst in people. It has really been a time of reflection and contemplation for many and people have dealt with it in different ways.
Some people have taken up a new hobby or learnt something new, taking advantage of the time available which we didn’t have before.
Some people have thrown themselves into working more than ever, or volunteering as a key worker.
Some people have dealt with it quite poorly, internalising and wallowing in the isolation.
And some people, including myself, have selected the ‘all of the above’ option!
I have spent more time then ever on the phone to friends and family, I have started to teach myself knitting and had a go at yoga, I have worked overtime and volunteered as an NHS Volunteer Responder, and I have had a couple of complete meltdowns! I think that I have reflected on how it must feel for those who are quite isolated all of the time, such as my grandma who is 94 and lives alone, and I have made a conscious effort to phone her more and went to visit her on her birthday. I have also reflected on how those in a relationship who are not used to being together 24/7 will cope with suddenly being thrust together permanently and potentially run out of things to talk about. My husband and I haven’t spent so much time together in years and it is definitely a ‘make or break’ situation. Luckily I think that we will come out of it stronger unlike some many other couples who have unfortunately (or fortunately!) decided to end things during this period.
I have also thought a lot about all of the things we as a whole have missed out on over the last few months. The big events, birthdays, weddings and the like, but also the smaller things like visiting family, nights out with friends or date night at the cinema.
Those of you who have used this time to learn something new, volunteer to help others, better yourself as a person, I commend you.
Those of you who have completely lost the plot, not gotten dressed for weeks and eaten mainly pot noodles and crisps, I commend you also.
It is important to remember that we will come out of this stronger, no matter our circumstances and it is equally important that we don’t forget what we have been through as individuals and as a community.
We may never completely get back to normal and that’s ok.
Emily x
Dear Emily thx for your wisdom! For me lockdown has lead me to a deep reflection of how I use the natural resources.
ReplyDeleteThe need for setting more strict boundaries btw human consumption and environment. I have been used the plastic containers where the fruits are packaged at the supermarket and use them as mini storage units for my little girl toys. Small changes but better than nothing right? Great job in your blog ❤️