So how is everyone?
Sorry it’s been a little while since I’ve managed to find the time to write something, I’ve been meaning too but full time childcare and yoga teacher training has taken over my life for the last few weeks and I just seem to have no time at all!
So lockdown is finally easing in the UK and this is good news right? Well yes of course it is but unfortunately for me I have really noticed my anxiety about getting out and about has gone through the roof. I am an introvert with OCD so not a great combo to start with, add in Covid-19 and well you’ve got an anxiety inducing nightmare for me.
I have worked incredibly hard over the last 2-5 years to build up the courage to do just simple things like; drive to new places, go to the supermarket, meet friends at playgroups and now it feels a little like I’ve gone backwards.
I haven’t managed to get out with the kids without my husband or mother in tow yet which makes me extremely sad. When my second child was born it took me 7 months before I had the courage to get out on my own with the two kids so this is a bit of a blow for me. I have friends who have never had mental health issues before who are feeling the anxiety at the moment so I realise it’s probably to be expected that it’s going to hit me a bit harder but still it’s a tough pill to swallow.
There’s also a sort of loneliness about getting out at the moment, in the past we would always be going out to meet friends and socialise but the kids are a bit small to understand social distancing currently.
So I guess I go back to taking baby steps and being kind to myself, I need to remember all the tools that are so useful when things get overwhelming. Simple things like mindfulness, remembering to breath and even just putting a smile on your face can help. Eating and sleeping well, not drinking and trying to get some exercise in where you can.
I think it will be a while before I manage to get to a shopping centre but the local park should be achievable right? I know I am lucky in so many ways and these are the things to focus on for now, the rest will come over time.
I wonder if anyone else is feeling like this? Hopefully my post will make you feel a little less alone if you are.
Let’s all try and be kind to ourselves in what is the strangest of times,
As always, Stay Strong xxx
Conquering OCD 