WARNING: This post is a bit of a downer, so if you aren't in a frame of mind for it, don't bother reading it (I understand). Jump here for a recipe for happiness (and a virtual hug!)
I am in pretty good shape during this ISO but I am occasionally hit with pangs of great sadness or depression (not clinical, just down in the dumps). It tends to be at the thought of what I'm missing out on, and will I have to wait a long time to do those things I love again. I am old, and I'm running out of time, so a year off takes away from what time I have active left before my body physically won't allow it.
I was dancing away to Hot Dub Time Machine last night, and while I was having fun (and had decorated the lounge with fairy lights), I was struck with thought that I would never complain about people telling me I was old at a Festival again. I would gladly be out in a crowd and insulted by well meaning young people who thought they were being kind, than dancing by myself in a lounge room. I will carry the appreciation of not being isolated for a long time, I think.Stuck in a queue? At least you aren't stuck at home.
Meal taking too long to arrive? At least you aren't eating at home.
To hard to see the stage? At least there is a stage and someone on it.
And so the list will go on.
However, now all we can do is all we can do.
Linking with #MLSTL
I've been struggling lately as well but I got outside for 2 hours today and it made all the difference. Sunshine is just what I needed. Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteI can feel your pain Lydia, it's a hard time. Take care and keep dancing, I love reading of your festival outings. #mlstl
ReplyDeleteYou're making the best of a hard situation. Keep dancing and if you can get outside for a walk, go for it. #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteIt's a funny thing but I've been finding times where I'm also resentful that we've lost a year and put plans back a year and that there's a feeling that that year could matter when it comes to running out of time and seeing things and doing all teh active holidays we want to do and blah blah blah. It doesn't last too long and then every morning there's the sunrise and every evening I walk the neighbourhood and there are the birds in teh rainforest and time doesn't seem to matter quite as much.
ReplyDeleteHi Lydia - I read a really good quote (link: https://www.facebook.com/crestingthehill/photos/a.873957419341434/3687194818017666/?type=3&theater) that was all about how lack of choice impacts on us. It made me realize that when I choose to stay home it's a break, when I'm forced to - it's isolation and lockdown. I react very differently to the difference!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I've shared on my SM 😊
Except for someone who was rarely home, and had on occasion managed two concerts in one night, there's no amount of mind trickery that will work when the mood strikes me! But all good again now. Was just a momentary blimp...and that's ok too.
DeleteJust saw the full quote. THere are articles that say if you are in a normal state of trauma or chaos, you actually find this COVID sitch less stressful as your normal is that lack of control (which the quote refers to). My lament is more lost time that I won't regain. My hour glass is definitely passing before my eyes. I'll have to cram even more in a week than I already do! FOMO is very strong in me (not of others, just as a general state of being)
DeleteThis pandemic sure does give us a whole new appreciation of the small joys, doesn't it Lydia? I'm happy to hear you are still dancing, even if it is in your lounge. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI got into a funk, too. For me it affected my creativity and I was able to find a new way to reconnect, but I get it. I didn't mind staying home until someone told me I had too. Now when we do get out in early morning social distancing walks or in our car, we see the things we haven't had a chance yet to try since we're new to our area. And I've vowed that we're going to be the people who go out all the time, greet people we don't know and strike up a conversation, and try more new things than we usually do.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I feel bad about is not being able to take a holiday for a long time. Apart from that I'm happy to be home. But I realize this can be stifling for a lot of people. I hope you can dance the blues away!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about how long it will be before I can enjoy the gatherings I love (for me it's live theater and a dinner gathering with friends - a a great restaurant), I get majorly down. So I shift my focus on the now. A challenge at times, especially on cloudy cool days when I'm stuck inside. But "counting my blessings" as they used to say is helpful. Maybe I should put some music on in the house!
ReplyDeleteTheatre's a big one for me. All my tickets were cancelled until August. Fingers crossed that one goes ahead. It's in a very small theatre so it just might!
DeleteHi Lydia, I've also been dancing while in lock down, and it helped. I also miss going to concerts, listening to live music, and being out with friends. I had my downer last week - a couple of teary days, and although I'm sure there'll be more of them, at least this week I'm feeling ok. I also hate the idea of losing time, it sucks big time. Get some sunshine when you can, it really helps lift the mood, and you know how important it is for health! And keep dancing! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a rare dip but I think it's important to express the feelings. A friend said she feels bad but she just wants it fixed so she can travel, but I think you should be able to see that, because for most of us in Australia, it's not personal - we don't know someone personally. I think we see the bigger picture but it's okay to lament what we're missing out on, no matter how superficial.
DeleteInteresting and not surprising to read of your reaction. You are/were my 'gal about town' no matter what time of day. I know, for me, having my daily coffee and sitting to enjoy it along with writing in my journal took a piece of my day I really loved. However, I have found I can make good use of outdoors with some walking and the weather has been brilliant. I am driving not so far but audible accompanies me and I am enjoying Malcolm Turnbull's book. Mind, you I "HATE" the going back to school plans for teachers (kids get a choice if parents can keep them at home) but I have taken myself off twitter to enable my mental health to recover...joke ... Denyse #mlstl
ReplyDeleteI am about to write a post about teachers. Ours have been incredible, but the high school exceptional. 2 of the teachers checked in with the kids DURING the holdiays - one just with suggestions of things they could do 'with their friends' under ISO. I can not praise them enough.
DeleteHi Lydia I'm sure you aren't alone in feeling down at times. The last month or so has been very trying for many and it is only natural that we will experience a range of emotions. Thanks for opening up and sharing at #MLSTL. Take care and hopefully not too much longer to wait. x
ReplyDeleteIt has been a weird time for everyone lately. I think being down is a totally normal reaction.
ReplyDeleteLike you mentioned, it will help us appreciate things going forward.
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
so far I've had one concert cancelled and another postponed indefinitely. I seriously wonder if the days of that many people gathering in one place for live music might not be a thing of the past. #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteIt is such a tough time, but you have the right idea setting up the fairy lights and still having a good dance. #KCACOLS
ReplyDelete