Anxiety and Covid 19

Sarahbelle · ‎21-04-2020

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.

Sarahbelle · ‎13-10-2020

Just thought I would drop in and say Hello!

I wanted to let you know I had my first day back onsite at work yesterday and made it through. It was such a surreal feeling after so many months working from home. The feel of school is very different when it comes to a covid safe plan - but very necessary. It was lovely to see others and have some interaction. I was exhausted last night but grateful that I belong to a caring community.

What plans do you have in the pipeline Gems and Missep that you are looking forward to?

Take good care and stay safe,

Sarahbelle.

uncut_gems · ‎13-10-2020

Hi Sarahbelle,

Welcome back to work! I bet it was surreal– did you feel safe with the covid guidelines? How was day 2?

Despite all the problems in the US I'm getting excited about moving back in about 7 weeks– I miss my girlfriend and my family, and the apartment in Boston I am moving to is great. An unexpected benefit of COVID is that my uni campus is temporarily closed so I get to spend at least 6 months working remotely near my loved ones 🙂

Over the weekend I went to Kangaroo Valley and saw my first wombat! So cute and such a special experience.

Missep, I think the highlight was probably cruising around in the ute! It made me feel like a proper Aussie lol. Hope you guys are doing well!

Gems

missep123 · ‎13-10-2020

Hi Guys!

So proud of you Sarahbelle! I definitely agree with you, going back to the work environment physically was surreal! Getting used to it now though. Please continue to keep us updated! I'm so glad you had a good experience though.

Gems- those are very positive things to come out of this! Being able to study from home near your loved ones and for you to see your girlfriend again!!

Kangaroo valley is supposed to be so beautiful! I want to go one day for sure 🙂

I'm trying to save up as much allocated leave as possible so then I can take a nice short break hopefully in Jan/Feb

🙂

Sarahbelle · ‎14-10-2020

Hi Gems and Missep,

Wow Gem's you do have such lovely adventures, wombats are very cute. My cousin used to foster little ones when their mums were killed by cars and raise them, everyone of them was named Fatso. They would follow him around like puppies and then as they were nearing readiness to leave would run behind him and ram and bite the backs of his legs. Their skulls are so strong he would end up with broken skin and bruises. At this stage he would know they needed to go to the sanctuary to prepare them for release. They are very entertaining.

So glad you are getting excited about returning home - all your family and friends must also be feeling elated.

Missep I do hope you get to go on your adventure, it has been a big year - it is fun planning and looking forward.

I am pleased to be back at work, nice to interact with others again -in a covid safe way. We do have good measures in place however, saying this it is a bit stressful. We have had a family of all test positive during the holidays and our school is close to a known cluster so that raises stress levels for all. Thankfully the family is now all well and the children returned to school yesterday. This makes it all very real and shows the vulnerability we all face currently.

Keep safe and well,

Until next time.

Sarahbelle.

missep123 · ‎17-10-2020

Hi guys!

That sounds so cute about the wombats. They sound so playful and I find playful animals to be SO adorable!

I'm glad that you're please to be back at work Sarahbelle! Sorry to her about being close to a cluster and that a family tested positive but you have been very positive and strong throughout all the adversity.

Here for you guys!

uncut_gems · ‎20-10-2020

More low numbers for Victoria, yay!!! And NSW for that matter. I know I sound like a broken record but I'm so grateful to be living here for now where things are truly under control for the moment. I've been fairly busy starting to write my dissertation in earnest now and still doing some last-minute sightseeing.

How are things at work missep? Sarahbelle, how are you settling back in at the school?

Warmly,

Gems

Sarahbelle · ‎20-10-2020

Hello,

Yes we are very lucky in Australia that our numbers are presently so in control Victoria has done an amazing job to think not long ago we recorded over 700 new cases of covid in a day. Gives me much greater confidence to be out of my home.

Gems make the most of your time left with us in Australia, enjoy your sight seeing and exploring. Good luck with your dissertation - sounds like you have busy times ahead.

Missep I love animals too. Hope your little pug is giving you lots of cuddles and laughs. My dog has been amazing during such a long lockdown, always ready for a pat and play - I would be lost without her.

School is going well, we have good COVID safe policies in place which give confidence in the workplace. It is sad to see the rules put such distance between adult relationships however they are there to keep all safe.

The kids are happy to be back together again and have settled in well. A few are struggling with difficulties however, these are not covid related but more ongoing. Some have it very tough but taking good care of them.

Sunny afternoon in Melbourne, hope you can enjoy some sunshine too.

Sarahbelle.

missep123 · ‎21-10-2020

Hi guys!

I am so happy to hear about the reducing numbers in Victoria! You guys have done an amazing job under such difficult circumstances.

I am so glad to hear that school is going well Sarahbelle and that your dog has given you great comfort. You've come so far! Can you believe we have all been chatting for quite a few months now! Thank you for remembering about my pug that is so sweet 🙂 She is so cheeky and always makes me feel better

Thank you for asking about work gems! I have a great support around me and now that we are transitioning back to the office it really is nice to have people around. How is your dissertation going? That's a huge (but amazing) task to undertake!

Hope you guys have a great day 🙂

Guest_0753 · ‎23-10-2020

Hello Sarahbelle,

I am sorry you are feeling this way. Keep reminding yourself that we are all in this together, literally, but with different situations.

I understand this pandemic must be very hard on you and so many others. Probably because of the way we are all missing some form of social connection and doing our daily activities without having to worry about restrictions that are in place. Therefore isolation sets in. Almost making us go a bit loopy.

I will be honest with you, I have actually felt the opposite during this pandemic due to the fact that I have been socially isolating myself way before it and only realising this in the last year. So now I would like to improve my social skills to have a better social life since this is a weakness of mine and even that is going to be very hard.

My work has helped alot as I feel more at ease and well-informed of this, on a health level. I was definitely feeling self - conscious at the start about wearing a mask but now that comes as a breeze when I am wearing it all the time amongst others. I find with a mask on, I try to enhance my body language and hand gestures more and don't forget there is still tone in your voice to work with.

You could definitely get crafty at home or start cooking to distract yourself at home or any other activity you think of

Good luck 🙂

missep123 · ‎24-10-2020

Hi Little Miss Overthinker!

I think that with everything going on we have all started to do some introspection and learn more about ourselves! You are showing so much insight and I wish you all the best on your journey to improve social skills! I also got used to enjoying my own company that I wanted to try to see my friends more and learn to be present and in the moment 🙂