Thank you for telling us how you are feeling.
Below are responses from those who have submitted to our Lockdown: Open Up page, if you would like to tell us how you are feeling during the lockdown, click here to submit a response.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Carrie, Netley Abbey.
Lovely lovely Durlston!
More hopeful than I was a few weeks ago but still concerned that we're coming out of lockdown too early.
Sarah, Wimborne.
I'm stuck in due to Covid, it's really not much fun. I'd like to go out shopping but cannot get it done. So I'll sit around my house, it really is a bore, till lockdown due to Covid doesn't stop us any more!
I know it is Saturday but these days most days are the same. My wife and I are in our seventies so in the Covid19 vulnerable category. We are volunteer stewards at our local church and visit it a few times a week to collect post, do little jobs. We really miss going out for a coffee and chatting with friends. Phone calls and video calls are not the same. I belong to our community drama club but shows are now cancelled. My garden is quite neat and tidy now. I have and continue to grow garlic, peas, beans, tomatoes, leeks, courgette, rhubarb in my small raised bed. It is such a shame the government didn't lockdown sooner as they did in NZ. Lives would have been saved. In the Scouts when I was younger our motto was Be Prepared; our government wasn't and so slow to act. Probably waited for many reports/surveys/analyses. Quite worried about the loss of schooling of youngsters.
Martin, Waltham Chase.
Lockdown Challenge
At 76 and living alone, with none of my family nearby, the issue of how best to manage what time remains to me was preoccupying me pre-lockdown. Not seeing family, the slow erosion of energy for going out and about, the lack of purpose and meaning after an active professional life, have all been thrown into sharper relief now. So lockdown hasn't really changed anything for me - but it has reduced potential choices as house selling looks unrealistic for the time being, even if that seems the right thing to do, which I am less and less sure about as time goes on and I have (too much!) time to think. I have wonderful neighbours who have risen to the lockdown challenge; I live by a river in a semi-rural area which, when it is not being invaded by groups of young people indulging in anti-social behaviour (a frequent occurrence in the warm weather pre-lockdown, even worse now), is beautiful and peaceful; I have much to be thankful for. But I am still left with a yawning emptiness where my heart should be. Lockdown has given me an appreciation of kindness and beauty - but challenges me to keep love and hope alive!
Mavis, Romsey.
The " worry worm" in lockdown!
After 12 weeks of lockdown and social distancing I am having disturbing dreams where people come too close to me or I accidently rush forward and cuddle my grandchild. The need to " be alert" as the government mantra states turns any venture to the outside world into a logistical planning exercise. For example in collecting our car from the servicing garage we needed masks to meet with the staff, hand gel in case of touching items such as paperwork and anti bacterial wipes to clean car door handles and the steering wheel which others had touched during the servicing. All this necessity for being aware of some invisible danger is creating a sort of " worry worm" in the brain, constantly lingering in the background not allowing one to totally relax.
Denise, Newtown near Wickham.
I’m bored, frustrated and lack motivation. It’s like living in a bubble. I can’t concentrate. I cannot be bothered to work on my hobbies. Life is meaningless.
Ron, Basingstoke.
Different World
Fed up but only because we can't go where we want when we want but to stay safe we must persevere. House getting decorated, garden looking better. Face masks made . There is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow it is our lives. Keep safe all
Rosemary, Basingstoke.
Tree of Hope
I really want to get back to work it's been a challenge starting at home especially when you are an outdoors kind of person. The crisis has made me more grateful for the little things in life,the freedom we had,the work colleagues I miss, and the difference between living and just existing which its felt like. I really hope we can get back to some normality soon. Keep Safe.
Ashley, Fareham.
Life during 2020
I am retired so the only problem with the lockdown for me is not being able to see the family, friends and being able to go on holidays, financially I’m not affected.
Kim, Christchurch.
We will Survive
Initially at the start of the virus,, I felt oh people are making such a fuss over a cold !!!
How wrong can I be this virus is killing people in the thousands.. Yes I am scared, have underlying health issues, and being a widow is tough. Thank goodness for the internet, and Skype could not have coped as well as I have.
Life is tough but we are all tougher than we ever realised
Stay safe everyone
Naomi, Basingstoke.
Everything is Temporary.
Today has been another fine example of time doing it's own thing. Some days I'm productive, somedays I like to plan my escape to a distant world on a boat with my guitar.
Harry, Winchester and London.
Some of the good side of lockdown
Although these are scary times they are also peaceful, not much traffic noise, blue skies with no contrails, the sea is clear and we have seals and other wildlife making itself known. Breathing space in a manic world.
Amber, Barton on Sea.
Calm, contented, creative
Enjoying staying at home with my husband and daughter. Sleeping in later, becoming more creative, chatting and connecting to family and neighbours more, less stressed and more chilled.
Michelle, Selborne.
Some positives...
Just happy to spend time with my lovely children. The silver lining of this horrible cloud.
Caroline, Southampton.
Home Office
Lyn, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Barry Shurlock, Hampshire Archives Trust.
Looking to the future from lockdown to travelling to Hayling Island some time or anywhere near the sea. I wish I could drive but I cant so I will travel by train when we can travel in the future. MH has been rocked as all our support groups have closed down due to library closing at Farnborough but my art group cant meet up as theres too many of us in the room for the 2 metre rule. And no masks or gloves. I have no idea where to get these things for myself as I am asthmatic and diabetic so self isolating as much as poss.
Penny, Farnbrough.
Basking in the early morning sun
Feeling optimistic about the future.
Jan, Millbrook.
I did this yesterday but I did it by memory from a photo taken last year. I had originally done it by watercolours pencils, but it wasnt good. I have done more painting since lockdown and self isolating as have diabetes and asthma. I dont think of the virus while painting. Had to look after my MH and stop looking at the news so only watch once a day so I dont overload my brain with negativity. Positive thoughts only. Done my rainbows on my lounge and bedroom windows and communal hallway window.
Penny, Farnbourgh.
You can always learn
I've spent years with raised eyebrows tut-tutting
at youngsters just glued to their phones
Conversing with space or tapping a screen
Caring not if real trees were bright purple or green
Their lives flashing by on a fast optic cable
They even text friends when they share the same table
But Covid has challenged me, changed me
Confined, my PC is my link
I fruitlessly search, to try and secure
A ' click and collect' or - but sadly - far fewer -
A golden delivery!........ But I fail and I join early risers,
In the OAP queue with our hand sanitisers
Aware that the drones might be tailing
I run home to see who's emailed.
Once logged in I'm hooked and I can't put it down
I read, laugh and copy, send it all round the town.
I've found WhatsApp and Twitter, Facebook and Zoom
And the world is my oyster in my living room
Marion, Lymington.
Spreading a Smile
Always have hope but also know it's okay to not feel okay.
Ross, Helen and Aoife, Whitchurch.
A Little View
I didn't take it all seriously at first. I was one of the many who took advantage of the National Trust allowing free entry to their grounds. A too successful,so shortlived, gesture. The day after that I bought a concertina. The day after THAT the shops shut. I'd bought it just in time, thank goodness because I'm loving it. I had 2 jobs, now I have none. But I wont ask for financial help, I'll be ok. I may end up back in the NHS (which I left 22 years ago), just awaiting a final call. I realise that I'm very lucky. I spend my days with my flute, concertina keyboard and I still have my son with me, so I'm not alone. Sitting in the garden, as I am now, it's a beautiful sunny day, and my little world feels almost perfect. But it's definitely serious now. The PM is in hospital and many people are ill and dying. It may be perfect in my garden, but the bigger picture isn't so good.
Debbie, Hythe.
United in Unrest
Everyday is a rollercoaster of emotion, one minute I’m happy to be alive and well, another I feel panicked and disorientated with the world. It’s hard to understand that the whole world is going through what you are going through when you’re at home isolated. You see news stories and social media posts telling you just that, but in reality, these have no affect. In fact, all they do is lower your mood. I’ve been doing a lot of crafts such as drawing, painting and cross stitch to keep my mind active as well as reading. It’s keeping me going and passing the time. Yoga is a great help to stretch those lazy muscles too! There are so many questions that we all have about our future and our place in it. To me this is the time to reflect on how truly precious life is and how we leave our footprint on the land. My thoughts are with all people and I take comfort in knowing that most of us will do the right thing and unite in working together. In such a turbulent time with raging civil, political and environmental unrest, isn’t that a wonderful thing?
Saffy, Hampshire.
Optimistic, enjoying the sunshine and having the time to actually enjoy the time in the garden. Watching tadpoles in the pond, seeing a frog and watching the bees buzzing from flower to flower. It's lovely there is less traffic noise. People are all saying hello to each other on the daily walk. love the rainbows and bears in windows. And the creative art work in gardens.
Karen, Stubbington.
Dare I say it but we're enjoying it. It's annoying not being able to go out and about but it means we've actually got some jobs done. My older son has been coming out in the garden with me supposedly for some fresh air and exercise but I'm the one doing the work. It's been nice having my partner home to help with the baby and mostly the toddler is being lovely. To start with my toddler asked "Nursery day?" but now he's more likely to say "Not nursery day, closed" which is heartbreaking. After a few days he started asking "Get car out?" which is a new one and just as bad. We were going to have a family party on Sunday for my baby's first birthday so we indefinitely postponed that. After racking our brains for what to do for him we were going to take them to the aquarium in Bournemouth so again that's on hold. We ended up taking them on a bike ride.
Natalie, Headbourne Worthy.
Drowning in all the emails offering things to do whilst locked down!
Kelvin, Hook.
Nature Walk
We thought we'd walk to blow the blues
As the sun was shining stronger
Not far - to get us moving
Can't stay in any longer
We chose a little country path
The sunshine it was warm
And nature looked all fresh and bright
In green of every form
Celandines and dandelions yellow faces to the sun
And in the hedgerow margins even bluebells have begun
Then suddenly and something moved and fluttered on nearby
Is it - was it - it surely was - a peacock butterfly!
Before, we'd seen a brimstone on sulfur yellow wings
How wonderful is nature in all these little things.
We looked around and upwards to see the beautiful blue sky
And then behind us heard anew a distant yaffle cry.
A robin in the hedgerow sang music to his wife
Why can't we all just learn from him to lead a simpler life?
We saw the lords and ladies : the lilies of the field
Their beautiful broad and shiny leaves are all they really need
We felt that someone's telling us, have hope and love and prayer
For nature will always be beautiful in this and every year
Martin, Waltham Chase.
How to survive during lockdown.
Being in lockdown has meant that more little jobs and gardening have been done around the home. With UTube you can also get many recorded Bands to entertain and help pass the time. Also Zoom is very good to use if wishing to connect with other family or friends. One of the secrets to success is to stay in contact with your friends and stick to a little regime. We do an hours regular walking every day but you can,if you prefer,do some exercise in your garden or garage,press ups etc. With best wishes. David.
David, Gosport.
Poignant visit to my 92 year old mum at her care home through her window to the world. Luckily my mum’s care home room has a window to the public highway and I can see her through it without posing any risk. She’s 92 and, although bed bound, her spirit shines forth on this beautiful spring day.
Hilary, Milford on Sea.
The Naughty Virus
Once upon a time,
In the land of here and now
A virus spread across the world,
We’re really not sure how!
It started off in China
And made the people cough
Some people got a temperature
And couldn’t shake it off..
The naughty virus travelled,
By plane and boat and car
The cough was spread throughout the world
It really travelled far
You couldn’t see it with your eyes
A virus is so small
But little things can change the world
Of that you can be sure!
The doctors worked to find a cure
And gave some good advice,
Best stay at home for now, they said
This virus isn’t nice
So take some time off school, they said
Until we sort this out
This naughty virus is a pain,
Of that there is no doubt!
Yes stay at home for now, dear friends
And all will be ok
Take the time to rest and paint
To cook, and dance and play
So children, teachers, parents too
They stayed at home as asked,
They missed the friends they couldn’t see
But understood their task
To stop the virus spreading
Was the job they had to do
The whole wide world just stayed at home
As much as they could do!
The nurses and the doctors,
They still had work to do
The people growing, selling food
The post and dustmen too
The planes and trains stopped running
Except a very few
The parks and cafes all were closed,
And parties cancelled too
But everyone looked forward
To the day the virus left
And planned a celebration
With the people they love best.
Sandi, Burley.
Thursday
who's dead, who's alive work sixteen hour shifts, catch germs kill if you go home (in praise of the emotional strength of NHS and carers)
Sue, Locks Heath.
I am not feeling at all.just doing what I am told and staying in .its not good being in isolation . I want to feel free to fly.
Wendy, Petersfield.
I’m 77 living alone and on “extremely vulnerable” lockdown. In an attempt to keep fit I d(pr)ance around to the Bee Gees “Staying Alive. Also re-reading Edna O’Brien and watching films. iPad Solitaire and word games are pretty addictive too. Glass, as ever, half full!
Maureen, New Milton.
today Im feeling pretty good , the sun is out, ive exercised, went out for a walk and bumped into 4 beautiful dogs (and their owners), stroking a dog is such a simple happy thing to do .Im smiling inside and out , in amongst all this nightmare, life is awesome
Jan, Gosport.
Do you remember the spring of 2020? I do. Before then things were different; people had no time for one another, they were so busy striving in their work and competing with one another on social media, to think about what really mattered. They had no time for their loved ones, their friends, their neighbours, the elderly, the vulnerable, doctors, nurses, teachers, key workers or even for Mother Earth herself. They were driven and blinkered by commercialism into convenience shopping, mass meat consumption, frequent flying and single use everything. Totally unaware of their materialistic, extravagant and wasteful ways. They didn’t know how to access information on how to make the best decisions about what they bought, how they lived and which companies and regimes they supported. It wasn’t their fault, information was mostly hidden from them. They were unaware of the humanistic, social and environmental impact of their every move, their every purchase. Buoyed up by a sea of plastic litter, and lost in a smog of burning fossil fuels, forests and habitats, so that earth was burning, boiling and silently crying. That was before the Coronovirus ‘COVID-19’, in the spring of 2020; a spring like no other. A second silent spring, when the people were silent this time, not the birds. We lost loved ones, far too many loved ones, all too soon; we were terrified and we cried. It put a near impossible strain on all of our medical and emergency services and supply systems and brought out the best and the worst in people; there were true heroes and true villains. Our economy was never the same again but as a world, there was hope; we recovered and we learned to value the things that really mattered and to live in harmony with each other and with nature. I remember, and I am glad, for we almost lost everything.
Carrie, Netley Abbey.
Focus on the now to remain positive.
Bernard, Highcliffe.
Nature continues with her spring show regardless of covid - my picture aims to capture some of that colour and joy.
Ingrid, Aldershot.
My wife and I (both 72) are currently in Mauritius (finishing a work project, not on holiday). Feelings - can't wait to get back to our flat overlooking the sea in South Hampshire. It may be colder over there but we love and appreciate our NHS. We should all count our blessings in these difficult times.
Dick and Sue, Milford on Sea.
New Appreciation Society
Today (3/4/20) I am working from home, with my new office assistant aka Jerry the cat! My husband working from home and my daughter completing schoolwork, spread around the house and passing like ships in the night via the kitchen. Although it is difficult, the situation we find ourselves in across the world, it has made me appreciate family and friends even more, and very thankful for the age of technology to keep in touch. My birthday was on Monday and I have never felt so loved even in lockdown, so many people went to extraordinary lengths to celebrate with me, including a "virtual house party", video chats with cakes, candles and balloons, flowers arriving, left me feeling very humbled. My daughter and I have been taking part in many online events inc PE with Joe Wicks (isn't everyone doing this?!), History lessons from a WW2 bunker and rationing stamps, kitchen rave, virtual roller coasters, pub quiz, and so much more. Another thing I have come to appreciate is the nature that now visits my garden, as I wake in the morning it's no longer the noise of the traffic or people chatting on their phones as they walk by, it's the calming sound of the birds singing together, and now I have even made 2 bird feeders for the garden which are filled everyday, watching them with my coffee first thing is a great start to the day. In this fast-paced world, and I am hardly ever at home always out somewhere doing something and work long hours, I am thankful to spend the time with my family and now realise the simple things in life are indeed free. Stay safe everyone!
Kirst, Fareham.
