Lockdown - Karen Randall

HELP, I'm Losing The Plot , I don't like living like this any more.

When lockdown started all those weeks ago, I thought I had it cracked.  I had routines, I had Well Being strategies, I had a healthy eating and exercise plans, I kept in touch with my friends virtually and I was smug.   I am a Mental Health First Aider, that's why I must be so good at this I thought, so what has gone wrong?  Why am I publicly announcing my decline?

As the weeks have gone by, my positivity has taken a tumble.  I have become jaded and as a consequence, I don't think I have been looking after myself as well as I was.  I have not eaten as well as I should (the number of hula hoop bags in the bin confirm this) I have to be forced out the door to go for a walk, consequently my sleep pattern has  altered and in the morning, when I was springing out of bed a few weeks ago, now I am really struggling.  I also feel as though I can't be bothered to speak to my friends and I know at times I look grumpy ( I know this particularly, as Julia told me this this morning.)  Small problems, such as my laptop having no sound are annoying me much more than they should and I have come to a great big realisation......

IT IS TIME TO START AGAIN!

Today I am starting over.  I have planned a healthy eating week, sourced a virtual pilates class, given myself an hour off to plan my attack and I am making some changes.  As a Mental Health First Aider, I know that two or three negative habits can significantly change the way I feel but on the flip side, changing them back feels great.  This evening I plan to ring a couple of friends and arrange  to meet for a park walk.  The lovely weather is really helping my mood too.  I still feel tired (and hungry as it's hula hoop time on a different day) but I feel that if I just try to get back on track I will be okay and things will feel easier.

I am cross with myself for letting things slip but actually it's okay.  Who hasn't had a bad day? Who hasn't eaten too much (or too little if that's the way you handle poor mood?)  I'm not going to make myself feel worse, nor am I going to pretend that a couple of changes are going to turn me in to Positive Priscilla but every little thing will help.  It's okay to have felt a bit sorry for myself, there is a lot to feel sorry about right now.  But it's not all bad, I need to remember the good bits too.  Maybe tomorrow I will be telling you what those things are...today I'm just glad to be able to see the situation a little clearer.

What I want to know is how are you?   Do you need to start again?  Don't worry if you do, pick one small change and do it today.  Tell us what it is because firstly it will make you do it and secondly, it could help someone else who is going lockdown loopy, just like me.

Take care,

Karen