Amanda – Coming Out The Other Side
Spring and summer 2020 have been like no other and have been hard on everyone.
I have a history of anxiety and depression and lockdown was taking its toll. I am used to being surrounded by family and friends. For 30 years I have been used to getting up and going to work with people every day.
I had 2 holidays booked and my daughter’s graduation, all cancelled!
On the brighter side I am lucky to have family who shopped for me and a large garden, for which I am very grateful.
Anyway, lockdown rules began to lift, as an asthmatic I had stayed within my home and garden, for more than 12 weeks. I was very much looking forward to getting out.
My first outing was a walk to see my mother who is of course is still shielding. We sat in the garden and it was wonderful.
My next step was to see my children and grandchildren in the garden and go for walks in our local area.
I mentioned to my daughter that I thought I would quite like a bike, 2 days later she arrived with one for me, so I have been cycling for the first time in 40 years.
I have lived in the same area all my life but admit I have recently walked to and seen places I had never seen before.
Anyone who knows me will know that family is my passion but a very close second is shopping!!
I love to shop!!
This was going to be my next adventure. It took me a bit by surprise how anxious going into a shop for the first time made me feel. I was armed with my mask and gel and choose a smaller shop, that was well organised with a one way system. Choosing my own groceries for the first time in almost 4 months was great.
I am still being really careful in the shops and have definitely not yet returned to shopping as a hobby.
The other much anticipated thing was a haircut. I have a lady who comes to my home to cut my hair, when she arrived she was wearing full PPE including a full face visor, she wrapped me in a plastic sheet instead of the usual gown and disinfected the scissors before and after the cut a very different experience to our usual coffee and gossip.
I am really enjoying being back out and about and have had some really lovely quality time with my family.
Having a socially distanced gin on the marina.
My daughter, who is a ‘selfie’ queen took me out for dinner. It was a lovely evening and sitting outside made me feel like I was on holiday. Before we left we visited the ladies and I was introduced to my first ever (and last) toilet mirror selfie. If I’m not carful she’ll be dragging me into the world of social media and introducing me to Instagram or worse facebook!!
I have also spent quite a lot of time on the beach. I love the beach and the sea, which is a strange thing for someone who can barely swim. I have been trying to choose my times and areas of the beach to avoid the crowds which on the whole I have managed.
The last few months have taught me I am definitely a people person who loves to work. I am very independent, I sort of knew that already, and need choice. I am also very grateful for my lovely family and friends and the fact that I have a lovely outdoor space. All things I won’t be taking for granted in the future. I miss you all and can’t wait to see you XXX
