Hey! rememeber me? It’s been a while since I wrote a new blog post and to be quite honest when I first started this blog there was no chance I expected to be writing about this…A pandemic that started in the year 2020! who would have thunk it?! certainly not me thats for sure.

Last year started almost like any other year for me (from what my memory will allow me to recall) I had so many plans for myself such as getting out the house more (a part from just to go to work) to visit friends and to go on holiday (I made it as far as Walsall before we went into lockdown!) and just push myself out of this comfort zone I had created since becoming aquainted with Gladys…I mananaged a grand total of 2 visits! and then the world went into chaos *rolls eyes* I had even planned on getting a Gym membership, what do you mean really? yes really I really really was but then covid so instead I got myself a Personal Trainer (JC.Fitness.uk) and I actually did manage to lose some weight yep I suprised myself too!

So like many people with IBD (and other health concerns) I was put on shielding which basically meant we were not to leave the house for ANYTHING if we live with anyone we were to be the first to use the bathroom, cook our dinner before anyone else and eat away from everyone in the house if this was not possible we were to keep a meter or 2 away from anyone in the house. We were even told that we should avoid taking the bins out!!

Some of us (if not all of us) were also put on furlough which meant we got 80% of our wages paid to us, while I am not complaining and I’m glad to be able to keep safe it’s really difficult when everyone else is out risking themselves as front line workers and key workers. You are almost left feeling like a cop out even though you know the reason you are unable to go to work. I’ve even thought what will I even tell my future children when they ask about the pandemic and what I did…”oh it was terrrible I stayed home while everyone else had to work! I couldn’t even take the bins out at one point!!” lol yea doesnt really make it sound like I was in any kind of hardship or that the pandemic was anything to worry about does it lol

To be honest it has been difficult at times and at times it’s been particularly hard not having any routine, it makes it difficult to motivate yourself some days but then you feel like you dont have right a to complain when everyone else is out risking themselves every day and are probably scared senseless but have no choice in the matter.

I truly cant believe a whole year has passed, when covid was first being spoken about on the news I really didnt think any thing of it, a work colleague even said do you think they will talk about this in history? my reply was ‘dont be daft its not that serious!’ lol yea 2 weeks later we went into the first lockdown, I have since spoken to her and taken my words back lol

Although things have improved I think we still have a way to go before anything will be remotely normal.On the positive side of things many people have used this time to get to known themselves and to learn new skills, the first lockdown really gave us all time to reflect on where we are in our life and if we were happy. I’m pretty sure many people quit their jobs because they realised they werent truly happy i the role they were in.

For me I have learnt more things about myself, I managed to lose some weight, I’ve given up meat, continue to have counselling and have somehow managed to keep my health in check for the most part and I’m generally trying to remain positive when I can.

I don’t now what else to say so as usual I wil stop before I start waffling…If I havent already lol

Thanks for reading, Keep safe and stay positive

Love ya
Gladys and I