Last night I was reading some of the mostly very contradictory reports about where we are with the coronavirus pandemic in the UK and noticed the stark difference between those who are ready to move on by pushing forward, and those who want to hold back.
I was taking an extra interest, because for the first time over the weekend, my husband said, "Do you want to come to the supermarket when I shop this week?" And I decided that, yes, it is time for me to re-enter and re-engage with the world a little more. And he's clearly thinking I should too!
Neither side of the fence is very comfortable but it's even harder if you decide to sit on top of it!
Fences are hard and wobbly and no-one much wants to sit there for long.
I think we need to avoid staying too long where we are, without rushing ahead too fast, but what I find really annoying is the absolutely fake reports out there which are pushing the agenda one way or the other, through political bias.
Anyway, with moving on in mind, I've chosen Albert Einstein as my muse for today, who said:
"Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance you must keep moving."
The sun's out here again once more, and I hope it's shining for you today too. Enjoy your day, wherever you are.
Photo: Harry Cunningham Unsplash.com
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Yes, I like that quote. Very meaningful for many of us.
Hi
I like your pic.
Did you enjoy your trip to the supermarket?
I had a text from NHS roughly 2-3 weeks ago saying I had to shield until the end of June and then last week the government we could go a bit further. I was really unsure what to do so in the end I decided to continue to have a walk round the block which takes about 10 minutes. What do you think,? All my love Lynne xxxx ❤️🤗🌈💜
If you are shielding I'd suggest you avoid the supermarket but enjoy some outdoor spaces. My elderly m-i-l lives alone and is shielded (she has no spleen) but feels desperate to go out.
The other day she had a phone chat with her consultant who said " ok to go to the garden centre but not to tesco."
Thank you for your advice. I'm writing down what I need to ask him. Hope you are ok. Take care and stay safe Lynne xxxx ❤️🤗🌈💜
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Thank you for your kind advice. Hope you are ok. Lots of love Lynne xxxx ❤️🤗🌈💜
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Start with small things and when you feel confident move to more challenging ones and go from there.
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Thank you for your kind advice. Lots of love Lynne xxxx ❤️🤗🌈💜
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Hi Lynne, I haven't been yet as we are due to do our monthly big shop on Thursday so I'm saving myself up for the big guns!! 😀 I think you're right to stick pretty close to home for the time being. It's working for you and unless you have any great desire to go further, why not be content as you are for a little longer?🙏 xxx
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Yes, that's true. Thank you for your advice. Hope you have had a good day. Take care and stay safe. Lots of love and hugs Lynne xxxx ❤️🤗🌈💜
Worth checking the supermarket rules before you go. I haven’t been yet but my husband has and he said if I went too would have to join the queue behind him and they only let a few in a a time.
For me it’s been baby steps - walks around the block, then a visit to a small garden centre-very quiet and well controlled and last week to Wisley Gardens. I felt very anxious, especially negotiating round on my scooter, but it was so well controlled with time slots and fewer people around that and I really enjoyed it. Even drove the car for the first time- not far, but I did it. The irony for me is that,apart from seeing my grandchildren, it has suited me being at home. My counsellor and local mental health trust were working on getting me out on my own to a knitting group and an art group and I had just got the confidence to try them. But the trust have online groups-plucked up my courage and
joined the coffee morning one and manage it most days.
We all have to be kind to ourselves and that means if staying at or near home feels safer that’s ok.
Thank you for your advice. My confidence has gone. It was family and friends who advised me to go for a little walk before I got the text, I checked with my GP and my sister in law who said so long as I have no symptoms and socially distance I would be fine. My husband or son come with me. Staying within the 4walls was affecting my mental health.
Have a great day. All my love Lynne xxxx ❤️🤗🌈💜
Hi Callendersgal, you are exactly right we should make a move forward not to quickly though as we don't want a second wave of the coronavirus but only time will tell. I bet it felt different to when you last shopped 🤔x
That's the thing what I decided myself was that I needed to start somewhere as I couldn't hide away forever when I got on that bus for that interview in Newport a few weeks ago which was a start and going to places like cardiff bay and the city centre as well which I had enjoyed but it was strange though seeing the usual places shut!
This morning I met my sister in law in the park moving on and had a socially distanced walk and sat down on one of the benches and had a chat about things about how no it's not selfish and silly to be disappointed over the things that got cancelled like the Saatchi gallery trip and the Welsh classes but what you can control is your behaviour towards these things like deciding on saving myself the upset and not bothering to concentrate on things that haven't been cancelled instead like reading which was a wise move.
enjoy your day everyone. Im watching england v germany 66 on ch 4 for the FIRST TIME EVER!!! -i was born in 67 -
exciting game
Gosh Jerry, you don't know how apt that is, to suggest putting the quotation in a bike manual. I had awful trouble learning to ride a bike. I didn't start until I was in my late 30s as my parents couldn't afford to buy bikes and then other priorities entered my life. It was my German daughter in law's sister who finally got me started, calling after me "drehen, immer drehen", which I looked up when I got home to find it meant the equivalent of "turn the wheels, always turn the wheels". Lightbulb moment.... 😊 No-one had ever thought to mention before that it was that which would keep me balanced and moving.... 🤣🤣
Hi everyone I have been reading your posts about taking the step to go outside what I have called my bubble since lockdown, like many others I have been shielding since March at times I thought I was never going to get through another day of isolation because of mental health issues, this is were I am at present and I would love some advice please. My son and daughter in law have been isolating for 2weeks my physcratist and doctor spoke with them and myself and they think it would be better for me to go and stay with them, tomorrow is the day when it should all be taking place and I my anxiety is through the roof, I am so afraid to make the move I really don't know what to do I feel I will be letting my son and d.i.l down if I don't go but I'm really terrified even though the government has said of late anyone who has been shielding can go outside and meet with another member of family but does that mean we can go outside our front gate and go for a walk/shop it's confusing me. I would appreciate any advice lot's of people s posts seem to be positive I wish I could feel the same. Thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read this post.
If this has been recommended by a medically qualified person who is involved in your health care, then I think the recommendation has been taken in a safe and considered way. It's easy to get super-sensitised to the notion that anyone coming into contact with anyone else is automatically going to contract covid-19. That is absolutely not true. My husband has been obliged to work throughout the pandemic. He's come into contact with many people and come home to me every day. I'm still here. I'm fine. He's here. He's fine. Unfortunately in an attempt to keep us safe, some of the messages put out into the public domain have really frightened some people to a serious degree.
If your son and daughter have been self isolating for two weeks, they don't have the virus. You are perfectly safe to move in with them and your risk of infection would only increase if and when either or both of them return to work outside.
Shielding was put in place to protect the particularly vulnerable, but there have to be some exceptions and yours is one of them.
With regard to going out, it would seem to be sensible to still avoid other people and stay away from higher risk areas like shops.
Moving may be scary for you, but once settled in, you are probably going to feel better, being with other family members, so try not to worry too much. Take care and I hope you feel less anxious soon.🙏
Well that's a quote for me then as I've been out on my bike today.
You are right re sitting on the fence, that's what my hubby has been doing, he's getting a little better now though as he went for a walk with me earlier this week. I'm the one doing the shopping.
Hope you've had a good day.🌈😊🙏
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Quotation for Monday 1st June 2020