My big lockdown learning

The lockdown rollercoaster...

I don’t know about you, but my days are full of ups and downs right now.
 
Sometimes I feel happy: I enjoy what I’m doing, and appreciate the moment.
 
Other times I feel down - almost hopeless!

And I realized that a big part of why lockdown is so difficult is that we don’t get a break.
 
I don’t get a break from being with my husband and son.
 
(That doesn’t mean I don’t love them, or I’m not grateful for them. I just don't get any time and space away from them.)
 
And it’s the same for all of us right now – whatever “difficulties” we have in our lives, we’re not getting a break from it.
 

• If you live on your own, there’s no break from that. No hangouts at yours, or popping over to see a friend.
  
  
• If you’re grieving right now, there’s no break from it. No good way to distract yourself, or be surrounded by support systems.
  
  
• If you have kids, there’s no break from them. (Not even to go to the bathroom – parents, you know what I mean... :)
  
  
• If you’re in an apartment you don’t love, or you’ve moved in with your relatives, or you’re in a living situation that isn’t going well... there’s no break from it.

 
And this is really, really tough. (So a reminder again that we’re doing really well!)
 
I usually try to put a positive spin on these emails, or share some learning I’ve had. But in this case, I couldn’t think of anything.

No positivity to share with you... no learning to grow from.
 
I was really stumped.

But then I realized...

Perhaps this is just a simple lesson: 

We all need a break.
 
Breaks are not just important; they’re essential.

• Breaks from your partner, or your kids. Breaks from your apartment. Breaks from your solitude. Breaks from your family.
  
  
• Breaks from your grieving, or your depression (whether that’s through exercise, counselling, a support group, or something else).
  ​ 
• Breaks from beating ourselves up!

 
So when life gets back to normal, if there’s only one thing you take from lockdown, remember this: We. All. Need. Breaks.
 
When I have a break from my son (for example), I come back to him refreshed and energized.
 
And he gains independence being away from me.  

When I take a break from my business, I experience my most creative ideas.
 
A challenge for you...

What could you do with taking a break from?
 
Emails... being stressed... checking your phone every half hour... having the same argument over and over... being in contact with people who aren’t good for you... eating junk food... gossiping...?
 
Sending strength. We’ll get through this.

It can’t rain all the time*.
 
Claire
 
*Bonus points if you know the movie this is from ;)

PS: This post sounds quite sorry for myself - I don't mean it to be. I know there are many people going through absolute hell right now. But even if things aren't dire, I think it's okay to acknowledge that they're still kinda crap... you know?

❤