The Cocoon for those staying home

[pcrw]

Hi ! to all who for whatever reason are now staying home to protect themselves and others and to reduce the burden on UK NHS.

I hope this thread will provide a means for all in the same boat to share their experience of the situation and meet up regularly for a chat.

How are you managing?

What are your past times?

What books are you enjoying?

What are your favourite TV programs and box sets?

How are you keeping active?

How are you keeping sane?

A problem share is a problem halved.

So looking forward to hearing from you all with photos of your gardens ( if you are lucky enough to have one), photos of your craft projects, recipes for healthy eating and book and film reviews.

This too will pass

[IndigoBlue61]

Thank you for posting this pcrw 😊

I have spent my morning peeling, chopping, cooking, freezing and finding other inventive ways to process the 10kg bag of carrots I bought in the farm shop, feel I could write a book on 101 Things to do with carrots 😂

[pcrw in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Excellent because I bought too many and also have loads

I’ve made soup

Tonight will attempt carrot and kohlrabi vinigrette but other ideas very welcome

[Pachyderm1 3kg in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Moroccan carrot salad is yummy! Slice carrots and cook until tender, then roughly crush them with salt, cumin seeds cooked briefly in olive oil, then lemon juice . Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if you have some. I can't give exact measurements because I adjust it to taste.

[pcrw in reply to Pachyderm1]

That’s sounds delicious and I shall try it out today

I may not have cumin seeds but only cumin powder but I’ll just use that

Thanks

Have a nice day

[Hosannasmum in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I buy the wonky carrots, always too many hot two people, and fill my freezer. Also wonky potatoes and onions, it means I can have soup in half an hour whenever I want it 🙂.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Hosannasmum]

That’s what these were, they were supermarket rejects 😊.

[Craftyperson in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Carrot and courgette soup lovely. I've given recipe on here before but if anyone wants it and can't find it just ask

[SofaJockey]

Nice thread. I'm pretty much in personal lockdown.

This has presented a real opportunity to, er, tidy up the garage, sort out the house, etc.

I'm still running outside and around my house (with social distance).

😊

[pcrw in reply to SofaJockey]

Yes being outside away from others , particularly in sunshine is a morale booster

I have just found holes in the elbows of a favourite cashmere hoodie so just devising elbow patches

Lots of tasks to do but getting motivated the problem as I feel rather distracted

[Craftyperson in reply to SofaJockey]

Sorting out my craft room other wise known as spare bedroom!!!!

[Roukaya]

Hello

You ask as to how to pass the time in social isolation

I should be studying for exam resit in Wills and Probate

I have failed this three times and previously when lonely I would join my Mother who lives overseas

Now as I have no one in UK I feel lonely and discarded

My relatives who live in Colchester have chosen to ignore me and this makes me feel sad

I have tried to study for three years and failed three times by a narrow margin

I should be applying for work experience placement in Wills and Probate and given the rejections I face I give up easily

Being on my own and the fact I am unable to visit Mum like before so now I face my fears and anxieties

ALSO as I have no one in UK I feel very isolated

I also remember the hurtful remarks of relatives which haunts me

An uncle of mine told me to focus on my goal and if I succeed the hurtful remarks of my so called Aunties will not haunt me

[pcrw in reply to Roukaya]

Dear Roukaya

I am so sorry you are unable to be with your mother at this very difficult time.

I remember many years ago having to resit my trust accounts and book keeping at the same time as working and it was really a struggle. I am sure as soon as the Covid situation improves you will find work experience as there will be a huge back log of work to be done. Meanwhile if you are having to stay home this is the perfect opportunity to get on top of your studies

I don’t know what your age and home circumstances are but there is a great need for volunteers and maybe you would find that would be satisfying and provide you with a circle of like minded people

I send you all good wishes and positive vibes for every success

[Roukaya in reply to pcrw]

Dear PCRW

Thank 6ou very much for your kind words of advice

Much appreciated

I think should try to concentrate more and not let the anxiety get the better of me

Very good suggestion for me to try to study and find a years work placement given the back log of cases as a result of this epidemic

Solicitors Firms are essentially businesses and there caseload will increase given the time and energy they will need to ensure thr survival of their business

I am fifty which very low self esteem and low self confidence

This is why I question the purpose of my life at times

I volunterr at Age Uk once a week by telephone advice and next week I may increzee this to twice a week

Thank you and I hope you passed your Trust Accounts

Thank you

[Hosannasmum in reply to Roukaya]

I deferred my law studies til October and wish I hadn’t now, I have the perfect opportunity to get some studying in now!

Maybe a little studying and a little relax time as an incentive to get you going? I was told you shouldn’t study for longer than 45 minutes (though I’ve fallen asleep over my books at 4am same as every else), perhaps go for a walk or run between sessions of studying? I hope it goes well for you.

[Roukaya in reply to Hosannasmum]

Thank you

I failed my exams several times so I will try to find out when likely to sit exams given school closure

I need to concentrate and believe in myself more

I hope your studies go well

[Hosannasmum in reply to Roukaya]

Yours too Roukaya, law exams are hard, it is no disgrace to fail a law exam, they are amongst the hardest exams there are. Having said that, I really hope you pass next time.

[Roukaya in reply to Hosannasmum]

Thank you for kind words

I actually studied law twenty years ago and passed with the LPC

But I did not obtain the training

My personal responsibility as an only child always come first

After caring for an elderly and very ill Father who died two years ago I am trying to complete the Post Graduate in Wills and Probate and find a years work experience

My Mother lived overseas and when I find I am unable to cope I usually visit but given the travel restrictions I am unable to go

But as she is 72 I should try not to tell her how lonely I am

[pcrw in reply to Roukaya]

Hi Roukaya

Hope today a better day for you. People the world over are stressed and worried but the sun still rises every morning and where I live the rain keeps falling

Smile even if you don’t feel like it because just the very action of smiling releases endorphins and you will feel better. Put some disco music on and dance about

The sun will come out if not tomorrow on Sunday according to the weatherman

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Roukaya]

This must be presenting even more challenges for you Roukaya ☹️ Have you seen the Happiness Challenge thread? A new one posted every day healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

It is always to be found in Pinned Posts along with all our other regular events and clubs 😊

[Craftyperson in reply to Roukaya]

So sorry your having a bad time and can't be with your mum but you're not alone you've got all of us. Maybe use this time to concentrate on your studying and hopefully when all this mess over you will find a placement. Big hug coming your way

[Roukaya in reply to Craftyperson]

Dear Craftyperson

I have a habit of putting the needs of my elderly parents ahead of mine

I have always done this and I realise I try to protect and shield them from the dangers of this world

But I have realised by putting their needs first this has come to the detriment of my personal and professional life

Very hard to balance this

[Craftyperson in reply to Roukaya]

Yes you can't look after others if you don't look after yourself first. And very hard to balance but hopefully you've now got some me time and can work out how to balance it going forward. Best of luck with your studies and balancing

[Holidaygal]

I am a newcomer to this site and I think it will be a really positive way to share our tips to try to overcome the problems that self isolation may bring. I will be trying to get rid of all of my accumulated junk, something each day so that it's not too daunting! First thing will be all of the clothes that I thought I would wear again but never have done. These will be destined for local charity shops, let's hope they have a use for some of my more outrageous stuff!

[pcrw in reply to Holidaygal]

Hello and Welcome Holidaygal.

I think we will be doing the same- we have an unbelievable amount of stuff which has been kept "in case"

[Craftyperson in reply to Holidaygal]

I think we've all got some just in case clothes both smaller and bigger sizes

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Holidaygal]

Hi and welcome, Holidaygal

All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best

[Craftyperson]

Well first off I'm not sane to start with!!!!! Though idiots buying up everything in the shops is driving me even more insane. Lidl never run out of my gluten free bread but they have now as people buying that cos no other, and gluten free pasta and lactose free milk along with soya almond oat etc wait till they find out what it tastes like!!!!

I'm stuck indoors at the moment with a cold again it keeps coming back and want to be ok cos got my tongue biopsy on Monday, physio for my neck Tues and pain management weds and if don't get them this week may all be cancelled.

I'm going to start making my Xmas cards I say won't leave it till last moment every year so maybe this year will be the one.

This forum will help keep us all from going do lally I'm sure

[pcrw in reply to Craftyperson]

Well that sounds a full diary! Hopefully things will calm down a bit when the initial panic is over.

Truly hope all your appointments go ahead as planned and you soon can buy what you need

When I said we with regard to hoarding I meant me and my husband not a general ‘we’. I would not presume to speak for others

Great idea to make Xmas cards now.

I am going to start growing herbs and summer vegetables for first time and photo recording my garden every Sunday something I’ve been meaning to do for years

Really good to chat

[Craftyperson in reply to pcrw]

I didn't see your post re hoarding just mentioned it as a general. Hope I didn't upset you

Yes a busy week for me and so far non been cancelled. So 🤞will go ahead.

I've made a couple of birthday cards and a Xmas one today. Hope the Royal mail doesn't stop delivering. I run a card making group on line and one of ladies that lives in Ireland went to PO today and they wouldn't take her card as it was for USA. I've got one to send to her and as it's airmail for County Cork hope PO here take it.

Look forward to seeing pics of your garden

[Craftyperson in reply to pcrw]

Well I was going out for a meal sat and sun so staying in will help my weight loss..... hopefully

[Roukaya]

Dear PCRW

I fine myself very isolated due to my own set of circumstances and also due to the restrictions of Coronavirus

I live on my own and even though I have exams to resit and apply for work experience I am easily distracted

In this crisis, I have learnt that I should face my own responsibilities and realise no one can help me but me

I worry about my Mum as she lives alone overseas

Part of me needs to focus and part of my worries

[pcrw]

Dear Roukaya

I think many people feel much the same. I am able to do physical tasks like cleaning and cooking but am finding it hard to concentrate on reading a book

Are you able to walk in a park or green space near your home? A brisk 10 minute walk might help you settle down to your studies for an hour and then take another break. If you have stairs climb up and down them a few times as a ‘gym ‘ activity

Are you able to face time your mother?

Or Skype

Seeing and speaking on the phone is so helpful

It is going to be sunny tomorrow so perhaps you could get outside keeping a good distance from others and enjoy a walk

If you have a phone which takes photos and you see something beautiful or interesting post on here to share with others

Best wishes