How are we all coping with Covid 19?

[Chippy_Tea]

We are all key workers so nothing much has changed for us.

 

[BrannBrew]

Ive struggled at times, my wife has been pregnant throughout this entire covid time (no not covid conceived) so I have been shielding along with her, it took long enough for us to conceive to jinx anything now. Fortunately I have been able to work from home all this time. I have struggled at times though seeing my 'work desk' in the corner of the conservatory not being able to dissociate myself from work.
My Dad died in January so during Lockdown 1.0 I couldn't do things or be there for my mum as much as I wanted, so Im glad for the support bubble thing in Lockdown 2.0.
I've brewed a few times and tried to play some of my PS4 back catalogue (with mixed results), probably not used the cross trainer in the garage as much as I should of done....

 

[MickDundee]

I’ve been working from home 100% since March. I have only worked for my current employer 13 months so I’ve now spent more time working from home than I did in the office.

My wife works for the NHS (although she’s not in finance) and at the start the board she works for made the decision that everyone was a key worker and must go in so I was alone with the kids all day every day trying to work from home.

I’ve had to deal with the busiest time of year, mid-lockdown, never having done most of the tasks before. I’ve also taken over a fairly high-responsibility area from someone who retired - between it being a “remote handover” and her being desperate to leave I’ve been feeling a little lost over the last week or 2.

On the bright side, kids being back at school means I can get my head down and get on with work when I need to. The gym (which is literally across the road from my house, although I still drive over when it’s raining) has been open since August so that’s my release and I’ve been going 4-5 times a week. at lunchtime Tues-Thurs and also when the kids are in their gym classes at the weekend.

 

[Seghes]

Due to the pandemic, my business fell of a cliff in January and I’ve not worked since. At first I determined to stay busy - tidying up the shed, cellar, garden etc. After a few months I ran out of steam; no work, no purpose and depression loomed. In the summer I rediscovered home brewing when my son handed me an extract kit. I got the bug. Over weeks I converted the cellar from a dark, damp pit to a super budget mini brewhouse. Every thing was cheap and cheerful: £10 fridge, £20 worktops, free sink etc. A sympathetic relative gifted some money and I acquired a Brewzilla, fermenter and all the associated gear pitching me into a very steep learning curve along the science of home brewing. I’m loving all aspects; the creativity, science, technical and craftsmanship of this absorbing hobby which has saved me. I feel very privileged to have the cellar facility and often find myself toasting my good fortune with gratitude.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

I’m loving all aspects; the creativity, science, technical and craftsmanship of this absorbing hobby which has saved me.

Good on you!

 

[BrewMeHappy]

I'm fortunate that we have got through without issue. My employer dropped all of our hours and dosh at the 1st lockdown which wasn't great, but they managed to keep most of the people across our offices which is good especially as competitors have been trigger happy with the P45s.

I know some people have had it tough with work and have lost loved ones so I'm grateful in that sense.

I have to say though, I'm completely fed up with it now but loved it at the start!

 

[NPi]

It's strange, sometimes I'm driving and I see people in their cars living their lives, and you stop to realise for a second that everyone is like you in a way. Out there living their lives, going through struggles and success, feeling and experiencing things you are either lucky enough not to have had to, or may soon endure.

Reading this thread makes me feel this way again. It's really nice to hear honest perspectives, things you can't see from the surface.

I hope each of you recognise your struggles as strength and can look to cherish your happy moments. Even if they are not with you now, they can't be long off.

 

[Jon1964]

Been lucky can work from home - office job
Spent this summer growing my own veg, partly to take my mind of all the crazy stuff, and to provide me and Mrs Jon some veggies.
Hobbies are a godsend - love tinkering in the workshop, the gardening, and now home brew

Just seen on the news some white clad lab assistant handing a drum of covid vaccine - why did it remind me of a corney key that someone on here has modified
Mind you - taking cold crashing to extremes -70
Cheers and stay safe
Jon

 

[Mr_S_Jerusalem]

I hope each of you recognise your struggles as strength

Strength?! Lol my struggles tell me I’m a crap dad, I’m addicted to caffeine, I probably have a drinking problem probably exacerbated by one of my few hobbies - brewing, I need to lose weight and I have a problem socialising with people unless it’s online because I keep thinking they have COVID and why are they standing so close to me and why do they want to know how my weekend went?!

Strength?

Lol

 

[Obadiah Boondoggle]

Strength?! Lol my struggles tell me I’m a crap dad, I’m addicted to caffeine, I probably have a drinking problem probably exacerbated by one of my few hobbies - brewing, I need to lose weight and I have a problem socialising with people unless it’s online because I keep thinking they have COVID and why are they standing so close to me and why do they want to know how my weekend went?!

Strength?

Lol

I can recognise all of those things in myself - apart from the fact that I don't like coffee

Your strength will win in the end

 

[Mr_S_Jerusalem]

I can recognise all of those things in myself - apart from the fact that I don't like coffee

Your strength will win in the end

Ok yeah I got a cold at like 1pm and I might be feeling a bit sorry for myself lol

My bad lol

 

[VW911]

Things have been pretty much the same as ever here.
I've worked all the way through, albeit much busier than before. (Seldom get a day off, or a lunch break, etc.)
Don't like people much, so the socialising bit doesn't bother me a bit!
Wife works in a school, so she's worked as well. (Again, busier than usual, even forfeiting holidays/days off to look after key workers kids...)
Still feeling sorry for those affected by it though...

 

[Druss]

I’m a crap dad, I’m addicted to caffeine, I probably have a drinking problem probably exacerbated by one of my few hobbies - brewing, I need to lose weight and I have a problem socialising with people unless it’s online

To quote one of the main songs in that crappy musical that Wolverine was in: "This is me!"

 

[ChilledGecko]

Wow!
I'm surprised the amount of us who admit to not wanting / needing to socialise and maybe preferring the more antisocial path.

I say 'us' as I would include myself in that grouping.
My wife calls me the antisocial git

I'm just comfortable in my own company and it's easier than trying to make small talk with people I maybe wouldn't chose to kick around with.
Happy to chat on a forum though, so what would that indicate?

I wonder if beer brewing is an antisocial indicator as it is a solo activity (no comment needed on other solo activities LOL)
Or perhaps antisocial feelings are a symptom of a general lowering of mental health?

Chin up chaps!

 

[NPi]

Strength?! Lol my struggles tell me I’m a crap dad, I’m addicted to caffeine, I probably have a drinking problem probably exacerbated by one of my few hobbies - brewing, I need to lose weight and I have a problem socialising with people unless it’s online because I keep thinking they have COVID and why are they standing so close to me and why do they want to know how my weekend went?!

Strength?

Lol

With all that against you, you obviously have the strength to function. Don't put yourself down. Being able to acknowledge your weakness, is in itself a strength.

 

[NPi]

I'm not normally some zen lovey dovey touchy feely type, but I think a lot of people of late are giving themselves too hard a ride. It's a hard time, no shame in saying you're struggling. Talking about it and not letting it do laps inside your head definitely is a good thing.

 

[Mr_S_Jerusalem]

I'm not normally some zen lovey dovey touchy feely type, but I think a lot of people of late are giving themselves too hard a ride. It's a hard time, no shame in saying you're struggling. Talking about it and not letting it do laps inside your head definitely is a good thing.

Yoga helps as well, it’s amazing how much only thinking about breathing for 20 minutes helps your outlook. I highly recommend it to anyone.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Yeah as above, apart from my own family i prefare my own company i will chat with folks but the minute i get a whiff of left wing tree hugging snowflake i'm off you know the type the whole world is spying on us, so fecking what your doing nowt wrong why worry life is to short for that *****, :tinhat:

 

[Mr_S_Jerusalem]

Yeah as above, apart from my own family i prefare my own company i will chat with folks but the minute i get a whiff of left wing tree hugging snowflake i'm off you know the type the whole world is spying on us, so fecking what your doing nowt wrong why worry life is to short for that *****, :tinhat:

You don’t like trees?

 

[Rodcx500z]

I love trees and have several