As of yesterday, Thursday 5 November, England is in lockdown again due to rising numbers of the Coronavirus. I’m kicking myself for not taking the chance to visit my family in Sweden in August when the cases were relatively low. I doubt I will see them for quite a few more months now, and it’s already been a year since I last did. It makes me sad since they miss out on a lot not seeing the tiny tyrant for such a long time.

The lockdown is meant to last for four weeks, but I’m not convinced it won’t continue longer than that. I’m not sure how I feel about it, if I’m honest. I know it’s needed, but I hate not being able to see family and friends. It’s not as severe as the first part of the last lockdown when there was no seeing anyone anywhere. At least we’re allowed to see one person outdoors. But that’s it. Two people total, you and one other person. And with winter approaching, outdoor meetings aren’t always ideal.

It also means having to entertain the tiny tyrant without meeting up with her friends. We can meet one set of friends now and then, as preschoolers don’t count. So I and one other parent can meet up outside with our young children. Which is a blessing, really. As much as I wish they had kept the rule where six people were allowed to meet outdoors, I’m happy that at least we can see someone.

Everything about this pandemic depresses me though. Some days I feel like it’s the end of life as we know it. Some days I think it will be the thing that kills me. Some days I think I will never again see my family.

My mind likes to paint up the worst case scenarios, and it’s up to me to tear them down. But when something like this happens, it’s difficult to find the ability to do so. Because things do look dark, and every day you read news that are far from positive. (I should probably stop reading the news.)

Writing helps. It allows me to focus on something else. Binging Netflix does too. And hugs from the tiny tyrant.

What helps you get through this pandemic?