That's it, that's the blog. (This turned into just a scattered list of my musings over the past few weeks)
While I might have technically been considered a keyworker providing an essential service, my workplace (nursery/pre-school) has had to close down temporarily as there weren't enough children of keyworkers to keep running.
I'm doing okay. I've been getting some good reading time in. Of particular note, I've reread Pachinko and Homegoing, read The Lord of the Rings for the first time, all of Karen M. McManus, and two middle grade greats, The Girl Who Stole an Elephant and A Sprinkle of Sorcery. It helps that my birthday was just before lockdown, so Dad thought ahead and bought me a lot of books. I have The Priory of the Orange Tree to read next.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons helps. I can play with with a group of friends of mine who are mainly based in the USA, and it's become a way to socialise. We've also been meeting up for film nights.
Nearly the entire Studio Ghibli library is on Netflix now, and it has been a huge help. Things like Netflix and Disney+ are an essential form of escapism right now.
As an introvert, I'm doing okay, but I like going to restaurants and big cities as much as any extrovert. Although often without personal company. I did get slightly restless the other day. When this is over, I will eat at so many restaurants, especially those small, local companies.
I can't do much to help, but if sharing little coping strategies of mine helps one other person, it will be something. I also put my name down to give blood. I can only bow down to all our healthworkers, and other keyworkers, throughout the world who are putting their lives on the line. Doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers, cleaners, retail staff, delivery drivers... many of you never signed up for this. None of you are getting the pay you deserve.
I'm still keeping a check on the news, but I'd also advise switching it off if it is all getting too much. There's nothing wrong with that, and your mental health comes first.
So, how are you? What's helping you cope?
