Thread

Not all plain sailing

In the past few days, I have noticed that some people I know have started to find this tough. Some have found it hard from the beginning; some remain upbeat and apparently untroubled.

For many, usual routines are disrupted. That in itself is energy sapping. Households might be together during the week when work or studies or school would have provided a different and more structured pattern of presence and absence.

Our feelings will ebb and flow. Perhaps the early experiences of adapting to the new pattern gave us a sense of purpose and energy, to compensate for the loss of familiar routines. Or perhaps the initial change was a jolt, a source of worry, but now things are more settled

Or perhaps the sense that there is no clear path out yet, no route to follow, is disorientating. Even if there is some agreement that we can’t go back to the old ways of doing, it would be nice to know when we can see friends and family again.

It would be nice to plan a break – whether somewhere far or near, whether long or short, even just a day out – or to put an event in the diary. But we can’t do that either. And we don’t know when it will be possible to do so.

Some days will feel better than others. Some people will manage their feelings more readily than others. Some will appear unaffected even although they are. None of that is unusual, and our feelings are not a sign of weakness. And they will come and go, not always predictably.

We know the current situation is not normal, but we aren’t at the point when we can say what the future might look like. We can express aspirations that we might be fairer, kinder, more concerned for others; we might want to keep newly formed communities of interest and goodwill

But when and how? We don't know. Meantime, it is important to admit to ourselves when we are not at our best, and to accept this as a reasonable reaction. It’s good if we can share our feelings with others we trust. In doing so, we might encourage someone else to share theirs too

Not everyone has someone to turn to, though. There are services like https://breathingspace.scot/  that are available so that you can share how you are feeling with someone who will listen respectfully, and offer advice

Remember, saying that you don’t feel great isn’t weakness. It takes a bit of strength just to do that, and you don’t have to carry that feeling alone. Finally, if there are other resources you know about that people could benefit from, please do share links or signposts here.