Anxiety and Covid 19

[Sarahbelle]

Hi.

I am extremely anxious about the current covid pandemic.

Feel as though it is living in my brain but my body feels the symptoms.

It causes me such panic and terror and all consuming

Trying to challenge my thinking but ver hard.

Any one else feel this. Any advice appreciated.

Thankyou.

[missep123]

Hi Sarahbelle and everyone,

Thank you for keeping us updated! That sounds like a nice day at home I'm glad you're keeping yourself busy 🙂
I've never watched My Girl!! A very classic movie though.

I've been doing pretty well! Work has been up and down but I have amazing support. Learning and training a completely new job has been challenging but I think it's been about 5 weeks since I started so despite my previous bad experience (only lasted 2 weeks) I have well and truly surpassed that which is giving me hope.

Correct me if I'm wrong Sarahbelle but are you working from home? If so, how are you finding it?

Sending positive vibes to everyone!!

[Sarahbelle]

Hi everyone

Thank you missep,

It is great that you are finding yourself in a happier space with your new work. I hope it continues for you.

Yes I am working from home - going okay but can be difficult to maintain connectedness with the school when working in isolation. Lots of planning, emails back and forth and zoom meetings.

I am finding myself a bit anxious and on high alert at the moment even though our numbers are more stable in Victoria. I think it is the reality that life is just so different and changed forever and even though we are in this together we are also very alone. As humans I believe we work best and are our best when we are part of a pack and that is disappearing - more alone and insular. I think this is going to take a long time which is very hard to contemplate. I am trying to be buoyant but some days it is just hard and I feel I have to fake it till I make it. But there has to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, hope is what has to be held, without it would just be an emptiness. Like the little Red Engine said....."I think I can I think I can and he chugged right over the hill."

I'll just have to keep chugging knowing we are chugging together!

Take care,

Sarahbelle.

[uncut_gems]

Hi all,

Reasons to celebrate for Vic and NSW both! I agree Sarahbelle, I have been tracking the vaccine progress and am reasonably optimistic that there will be a safe and effective one before too long. I have been finding it pretty difficult to be productive from home, so I've spent a lot of time walking around the park, jogging, and trying to do a bit of whale watching on the beach. At night I like to watch movies or read.

Unfortunately I just got some bad news that due to the rising case numbers, the harsh restrictions placed by my uni, and now the wildfires, it is unlikely that I will be able to go back to California and be with all my friends and continue my studies and teaching in person. Luckily, I'm told I will be able to work in Massachusetts where the rest of my family and girlfriend are, and the cases are lower for now.

Swings and roundabouts, but I know that having so many loved ones in different places is a good problem to have. I've been thinking a lot about gratitude lately and how grateful I am for my family and friends and the things I've already been so lucky to experience. Ditto for you guys here on the forums!

Warmly,

Gems

[uncut_gems]

Oops! I realized I just responded to your previous post without seeing the newest ones from yourself and missep!

missep, so glad to hear that things are trending in the right direction for you at the new job. Sarahbelle, I'm very glad you're continuing to WFH, even if it presents some challenges. Safety first. I agree with what you say about this new, more insular reality, and how hard it is to wrap your mind around the fact that it might be this way for some time. We'll keep chugging though!

Warmly,

Gems

[missep123]

Hi guys,

I know what you mean Sarahbelle. I like how you brought up the little red engine! One step in front of the other and then you realise you've walked a mile! I'm a very social person so I totally get what you mean about being in a pack! I flip flop between wishing I could see people in person to, 'hey this isn't so bad'.

Gems oh man what a situation for you! How do you feel about going back? I'm glad that you are going to be able to be with your girlfriend and the rest of your family! I'm also tracking the progress of the vaccine! I'm so hopeful!!

Sending positive vibes to you all!

[Sarahbelle]

Hi Gems and Missep,

So hard to believe all the challenges everyone has no matter where they are living at this difficult time in history. Just think back 6 months ago in Australia and there is no way we would ever have imagined the life we are now living.

Gems it must be a very difficult time for you, away from those you love and the plans you had in place. You seem like a very resilient and caring person and I do hope all your dreams come true.

Missep yes, step by step we never know what tomorrow holds and the possible vaccines sound promising.

Wow Gems I love whale watching - did you get to see any? I must admit I am a bit of a nature watcher but the closest I can get is my little garden or the local park - good times will come again for all of us - I do believe that.

Always great to hear your news and support one another.

Take care my friends and stay safe.

Sarahbelle.😊😊

[missep123]

Hi guys!

Sarahbelle I completely agree, when I look back to December last year for example it seems so strange that a couple of months later our lives would change completely and that we would be a part of history. I can't wait until we get some sense of normalcy back again! I will never take it for granted!

Working from home has it's perks but I have been struggling with it a little bit. Especially since I work in my room (the only place available and private for me to work) and so I have some cognitive dissonance where I'm working but I'm also in my 'safe place'. It's as if two worlds are colliding together. To counteract this I try to make it a 'work environment' when I'm working and then a 'home' environment when I'm not. I make sure to close my laptop at 5pm and walk straight out into the living room to unwind. Do you guys have any tips to help? Am I the only one who feels that working from home can be quite challenging sometimes?

Thank you guys so much for the support! I love the good vibes we send to each other

[Sarahbelle]

Hello All,

Missep I agree it can be tricky working from home. My home is also not set up for working at home and the two worlds can easily collide. I often find it difficult to cut off as I check emails from school and children and do some planning beyond the working day - have to get better at that. Sometimes motivation can also be hard and I find myself not fully focused and jumping from task to task. On Saturday I decided to have a "no technology day". I did not touch my laptop and left my phone in my bedroom and did not look at them until the Sunday. It was a conscious decision but one that enabled me to switch off from the outside world and its pressures. A good brain break.

Numbers of new cases in Vic around 115 today that is a great improvement and one full of hope. Sadly there are new deaths which is always a tragedy.

One day we will be able to rejoin our work mates but I also believe there will be a new "normal" which we will have to adapt to.

Have a happy week missep, Gems and all,

Sarahbelle (oops - back to work now!)

[uncut_gems]

Hi All,

Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend. Delighted but (as always) cautiously so at the newest case numbers from Vic. Missep, I know what you mean about that dissonance of your work space and your non-work space clashing, and I really like both your hard out at 5 rule and Sarabelle's no-tech Saturday.

No whales yet, but I'll keep trying! Most of the fun is just being out near the water. I hope you get to be out and about more before too long 🙂

Warmly,

Gems

[Sarahbelle]

Just a Hello from Sarahbelle,

Amiid all this pandemic and working at home I cannot believe how quickly time is flying. The weeks are rolling on and it is nearly Spring. I look in my garden and there is new life popping up - it reminds me that everything has a season and a time and lightens my heart.

Victoria is doing well under the circumstances and this too will pass one day - keeping hopeful is just so important day by day.

Gems yes being by the water is so peaceful and freeing - I look forward to doing this again soon. Let me konw if you get to see your whales. I hope all your family is safe and well in the US.

Missep I hope you are enjoying this exciting time of your life with your engagement and have been able to celebrate in some way.

Take care.