Lockdown..Another month ahead , describe your current daily activities and plans for

wally1990 · 04-02-2021 12:53am #1

Be interested to hear how and what people are doing with their days and plans to cope with the next few weeks.

Snotty · 04-02-2021 12:56am

Work from home, crying 10 month old, bored 7 year old, homeschooling, dogs had enough and taken to spending most of the day upstairs away from everyone, lucky git.

Leg End Reject · 04-02-2021 1:06am

Sleep, work, eat, couch, drink, bed, sleep.

What a time to be alive!

Barna77 · 04-02-2021 1:20am

Work, playstation, netflix, sleep.
Repeat

TheValeyard · 04-02-2021 1:22am

Think I've just about given up on grooming myself or wearing proper clothes. But I'm comfortable

jimmycrackcorm · 04-02-2021 1:41am

Work from home since March, IT. Got into DIY in a big way so spending my commute time on home projects including a shed to remote work office conversion as I reckon remote working is going to be pretty much some variation of a norm going forward. If you ever wondered about who buys those strange-looking tools in Aldi / Lidl, then here I am. Paid for by all the savings from not going to the pub for one.

Spend a lot of my free time on YouTube following and learning DIY techniques from paint spraying, tiling, furniture construction - I barely watch any TV at all. I bought a wood router from Lidl for example so now I'm making customised doors for my kitchen cabinets as an example. I'm amazed and simultaneously bewildered about the stuff I'm able to do now, because I'm primarily a nerdy IT type, that I can do in DIY now.

Plumbing is the only area that I haven't tackled. But even there I was able to remove my radiators to flush out sludge that created cold spots, after watching a Youtube video. I don't think people really appreciate how valuable Youtube is for the ordinary person. It's insane that almost any problem you need to fix, there'll be at least one or more videos of someone showing you how to do it.

04-02-2021 1:47am

Working from home, tonnes to do on a project already months behind. Picked up running and it's going well, dartboard arrives tomorrow. Trying to get my hands on a PS5.

Learning bits and pieces via the odd course to bump up the ladder when I can. GF comes over the weekend to hang out. Not much else but fitness a huge priority. Might emerge from retirement and go back to club football when all this is done.

Oh and I've taken a huge interest in baking/cooking.

Karlos77 · 04-02-2021 1:50am

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Work from home since March, IT. Got into DIY in a big way so spending my commute time on home projects including a shed to remote work office conversion as I reckon remote working is going to be pretty much some variation of a norm going forward. If you ever wondered about who buys those strange-looking tools in Aldi / Lidl, then here I am. Paid for by all the savings from not going to the pub for one.

Spend a lot of my free time on YouTube following and learning DIY techniques from paint spraying, tiling, furniture construction - I barely watch any TV at all. I bought a wood router from Lidl for example so now I'm making customised doors for my kitchen cabinets as an example. I'm amazed and simultaneously bewildered about the stuff I'm able to do now, because I'm primarily a nerdy IT type, that I can do in DIY now.

Plumbing is the only area that I haven't tackled. But even there I was able to remove my radiators to flush out sludge that created cold spots, after watching a Youtube video. I don't think people really appreciate how valuable Youtube is for the ordinary person. It's insane that almost any problem you need to fix, there'll be at least one or more videos of someone showing you how to do it.

Fair play it's great to hear people using all this time productive as opposed to the usual we hear i'm so bored with lockdown

jimmycrackcorm · 04-02-2021 4:06am

Karlos77 wrote: »

Fair play it's great to hear people using all this time productive as opposed to the usual we hear i'm so bored with lockdown

We hear a lot about mental health issues arising from lockdown and restrictions. But I personally believe a lot arises because people aren't using their spare time to keep occupied.

The old saying that Idle hands makes the devils work doesn't come from anywhere. I know you can be very successful, have everything and your mental health will kick in. Robin Williams as an example. But a lot of issues are triggered by changes in your circumstances; keeping occupied, doing something productive because of changes due to this pandemic is essential.

I'm lucky that I'm still fully employed, and while I had started to build up my tools collection prior, I could afford to buy more during the lockdowns and also materials that I need.

But learning is free on youtube, and I did a lot of that before I got the tools I need.

Curse These Metal Hands · 04-02-2021 4:15am

After working online I've been using the time to get better at cooking, trying new dishes and trying to develop some new cooking skills. Then I'll practice guitar for a few hours before watching a movie or occasionally have a ****.

jimmycrackcorm · 04-02-2021 4:59am

Curse These Metal Hands wrote: »

After working online I've been using the time to get better at cooking, trying new dishes and trying to develop some new cooking skills. Then I'll practice guitar for a few hours before watching a movie or occasionally have a ****.

Cooking with Cream is a good thing.

Lewis_Benson · 04-02-2021 5:07am

Drinking.

Black Swan · 04-02-2021 5:13am

Work and teach online and cautiously do lab work when necessary. Double mask and distance at market and at takeout. Continue hibernating home.

Wanderer78 · 04-02-2021 5:43am

A lot of walking, the dogs fed up with it, some illegal stuff and the odd breaking the distance rule, looks like another cold snap, mountains are calling me again

up for anything · 04-02-2021 6:13am

wally1990 · 04-02-2021 11:16am

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Work from home since March, IT. Got into DIY in a big way so spending my commute time on home projects including a shed to remote work office conversion as I reckon remote working is going to be pretty much some variation of a norm going forward. If you ever wondered about who buys those strange-looking tools in Aldi / Lidl, then here I am. Paid for by all the savings from not going to the pub for one.

Spend a lot of my free time on YouTube following and learning DIY techniques from paint spraying, tiling, furniture construction - I barely watch any TV at all. I bought a wood router from Lidl for example so now I'm making customised doors for my kitchen cabinets as an example. I'm amazed and simultaneously bewildered about the stuff I'm able to do now, because I'm primarily a nerdy IT type, that I can do in DIY now.

Plumbing is the only area that I haven't tackled. But even there I was able to remove my radiators to flush out sludge that created cold spots, after watching a Youtube video. I don't think people really appreciate how valuable Youtube is for the ordinary person. It's insane that almost any problem you need to fix, there'll be at least one or more videos of someone showing you how to do it.

This is actually pretty class

Something as simple as remote working has given rise to you having more free time and utilising that to learn more skills.and experience in DIY plus give you a bit of a hobby

This is simply one of the many benefits of remote working

2lazytogetup · 04-02-2021 11:28am

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Work from home since March, IT. Got into DIY in a big way so spending my commute time on home projects including a shed to remote work office conversion as I reckon remote working is going to be pretty much some variation of a norm going forward. If you ever wondered about who buys those strange-looking tools in Aldi / Lidl, then here I am. Paid for by all the savings from not going to the pub for one.

Spend a lot of my free time on YouTube following and learning DIY techniques from paint spraying, tiling, furniture construction - I barely watch any TV at all. I bought a wood router from Lidl for example so now I'm making customised doors for my kitchen cabinets as an example. I'm amazed and simultaneously bewildered about the stuff I'm able to do now, because I'm primarily a nerdy IT type, that I can do in DIY now.

Plumbing is the only area that I haven't tackled. But even there I was able to remove my radiators to flush out sludge that created cold spots, after watching a Youtube video. I don't think people really appreciate how valuable Youtube is for the ordinary person. It's insane that almost any problem you need to fix, there'll be at least one or more videos of someone showing you how to do it.

Great Post, thank you. I agree on YouTube videos. Used it to fix the car, change bulbs, etc

Wanderer78 · 04-02-2021 11:32am

2lazytogetup wrote: »

Great Post, thank you. I agree on YouTube videos. Used it to fix the car, change bulbs, etc

YouTube is just the job

silverharp · 04-02-2021 11:36am

My biggest Youtube success last year was diagnosing my dishwasher breaking down, ordering the part and installing the part myself, probably would have thrown the machine out otherwise, for the princely sum of 30 euro

Seanachai · 04-02-2021 11:37am

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

We hear a lot about mental health issues arising from lockdown and restrictions. But I personally believe a lot arises because people aren't using their spare time to keep occupied.

The old saying that Idle hands makes the devils work doesn't come from anywhere. I know you can be very successful, have everything and your mental health will kick in. Robin Williams as an example. But a lot of issues are triggered by changes in your circumstances; keeping occupied, doing something productive because of changes due to this pandemic is essential.

I'm lucky that I'm still fully employed, and while I had started to build up my tools collection prior, I could afford to buy more during the lockdowns and also materials that I need.

But learning is free on youtube, and I did a lot of that before I got the tools I need.

It's great that you can do that, it's just not feasible for people living in small rented accommodation though. My brothers and parents in the countryside barely notice lockdowns at all, if I had my own house and a few acres I probably wouldn't either.

Wanderer78 · 04-02-2021 11:38am

silverharp wrote: »

My biggest Youtube success last year was diagnosing my dishwasher breaking down, ordering the part and installing the part myself, probably would have thrown the machine out otherwise, for the princely sum of 30 euro

wanted to fix our tumbler dryer via this method, new one was installed and old one gone before i could even think about it, but then again, i have very long fingers

splashthecash · 04-02-2021 11:42am

Working from home, homeschooling three uninterested kids, walking the dog, TV\Playstation when time allows, Running, Cooking

We are in the middle of a home improvement project so that has been keeping us all focused.

Took on a couple of little projects myself also

joe40 · 04-02-2021 11:47am

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Work from home since March, IT. Got into DIY in a big way so spending my commute time on home projects including a shed to remote work office conversion as I reckon remote working is going to be pretty much some variation of a norm going forward. If you ever wondered about who buys those strange-looking tools in Aldi / Lidl, then here I am. Paid for by all the savings from not going to the pub for one.

Spend a lot of my free time on YouTube following and learning DIY techniques from paint spraying, tiling, furniture construction - I barely watch any TV at all. I bought a wood router from Lidl for example so now I'm making customised doors for my kitchen cabinets as an example. I'm amazed and simultaneously bewildered about the stuff I'm able to do now, because I'm primarily a nerdy IT type, that I can do in DIY now.

Plumbing is the only area that I haven't tackled. But even there I was able to remove my radiators to flush out sludge that created cold spots, after watching a Youtube video. I don't think people really appreciate how valuable Youtube is for the ordinary person. It's insane that almost any problem you need to fix, there'll be at least one or more videos of someone showing you how to do it.

Fair play to you that's great. I'm always worried about doing more damage than good when tackling any DIY.
Materials are also expensive so not cheap to feck up a project.

Captain Havoc · 04-02-2021 12:05pm

If anyone wants to kidknapp me, here's my routine:
8.00 get up
8.01 have coffee
8.30 drive to woods and walk dog. (If I wake up at 8.30, I'll bring coffee in takeaway cup)
10.00 go to butchers and veg shop
10.30 - 11.00 Start cooking lunch
12.00 have lunch (this can vary depending on wife's meetings)
12.30 clean up after lunch
13.00 sit down and read boards
13.30 start studying
15.30 Do the washing
16.00 drive to woods and walk dog
17.30 make the tea and have with wife
18.30 Watch Netflix or whatever with wife, maybe if West Ham are playing, I'll watch that.
21.00 Wife will go to bed and I will walk dog around the block
22.00 Empty dishwasher, clean kitchen, go to bed and either read or faff around on phone for an hour or two.

It really is that boring and I hate it. My life normally has no routine, at all. I'm only on boards now as I'll have lunch cooked in about 30 mins.

opinionated3 · 04-02-2021 12:10pm

Mon to Friday : work, home, dinner with wife, 6km walk, shower, Netflix/ YouTube, bed.
Sat and sun: a few walks, wash car, grocery shop, takeaway Saturday evening.
Doing my best to keep the head up, but I'll admit it's getting harder. Never been this depressed for such a long period of time in my life.
Having that said there's always someone worse off so I just tell myself to man up and get on with it.

Wanderer78 · 04-02-2021 12:10pm

Captain Havoc wrote: »

If anyone wants to kidknapp me, here's my routine:
8.00 get up
8.01 have coffee
8.30 drive to woods and walk dog. (If I wake up at 8.30, I'll bring coffee in takeaway cup)
10.00 go to butchers and veg shop
10.30 - 11.00 Start cooking lunch
12.00 have lunch (this can vary depending on wife's meetings)
12.30 clean up after lunch
13.00 sit down and read boards
13.30 start studying
15.30 Do the washing
16.00 drive to woods and walk dog
17.30 make the tea and have with wife
18.30 Watch Netflix or whatever with wife, maybe if West Ham are playing, I'll watch that.
21.00 Wife will go to bed and I will walk dog around the block
22.00 Empty dishwasher, clean kitchen, go to bed and either read or faff around on phone for an hour or two.

It really is that boring and I hate it. My life normally has no routine, at all. I'm only on boards now as I'll have lunch cooked in about 30 mins.

interested in breaking some laws?

wally1990 · 04-02-2021 12:26pm

Whilst we are all getting on with our daily lives, what is depressing is we cannot look forward to activities such as holidays, concerts, events , travel , eating out , pubs /nights out , birthdays , special occasions and so on

All that part of our lives is gone so we are just working (for those that are ) and living but not going beyond that

positron · 04-02-2021 12:46pm

Also in IT and I used to work from home couple of days a week even before the pandemic, but now it's 5 days a week.

I have started getting up earlier than usual and getting some exercise (usually couple of hours on the turbo trainer, may start running again when it starts getting brighter earlier). Work 9-5/6, and then I have some time to mess with kids - their PE hour, which is basically playing whatever they want to play.

Time and energy saved by not having to commute (2-3 hours a day) is fantastic. I have been doing DIY (following YouTube or otherwise) like fixing washing machine (changed the solenoid valve), and recently dishwasher (had to 'debug' the problem and found a broken wire which was stopping the machine from starting the wash cycle), servicing the bike, motorbike etc. The most complex project I undertook over the lockdown was to take out the old pointless open gas fire & fireplace etc and to replace it with a wall inserted cassette gas fire, complete with rendering, plastering & painting the wall etc. Took me over a month and multiple visits to friendly gas supplies shop for advice, but pleased with the end result.

I hate these lockdowns myself, and I can't wait for it to lift so that I can travel a bit further, and visit my elderly parents on the other side of the world - but everything considered, I consider myself very lucky, so far anyway.

corner of hells · 04-02-2021 12:51pm

I brought myself a telescope to watch my neighbours.

mrsdewinter · 04-02-2021 12:54pm

wally1990 wrote: »

Whilst we are all getting on with our daily lives, what is depressing is we cannot look forward to activities such as holidays, concerts, events , travel , eating out , pubs /nights out , birthdays , special occasions and so on

All that part of our lives is gone so we are just working (for those that are ) and living but not going beyond that

I'm not badly off in lockdown: I'm WFH, and my MH isn't too bad (today - touch wood).

But I find the lack of a horizon really tough. There's nothing to look forward to. No holidays, no weddings, no get-togethers. I'm a classic introvert who doesn't usually enjoy these things but now I see that they put a bit of structure on my life, there was always 'something' coming up.

CruelCoin · 04-02-2021 1:45pm

Work as normal.

Only thing that's different for me is not seeing friends on the weekend.

Life hasn't changed for me other than that.

victor8600 · 04-02-2021 1:54pm

Make breakfast
Work
Setting up a table for the first Zoom call with a school teacher
Work
Setup second Zoom call with a school teacher
Go for a run in the local park with the older kid
Lunch
Work
Break for a walk
Work
Play with kids for a bit (Roblox, Minecraft, or non-computer games)
Dinner (very late)
Put kids to bed
Watch Netflix
Sleep

All the activities above are regularly interrupted by one or the other kid needing something.

Shane Driscoll · 04-02-2021 2:01pm

Same as I did before the Kung Flu arrived, sweet FA.

ablelocks · 04-02-2021 2:32pm

lucky to have it etc, etc, but work has been and is really busy but i make sure to start and finish on time.

do some homeschooling in the mornings - more so with younger kids than older ones. I take the view that if they were at school, i wouldn't be looking over their shoulder so why should i do it here. So far they (seem to be!) getting on fine and no reports back from teachers.

I change clothes after work and go for a walk to have a "break" between work and home life.

weekends are taken up with time with kids, long walks with dog etc.

I'd love to have the time to do more diy - there's a list of stuff to get done around the house that is only getting longer.

The only external activity is visiting the dentist - due to lack of care and attention over the years, I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the care of some very lovely and professional dentists and dental assistants who have a programme of torture treatment for me over the next 15 months.

Adyx · 05-02-2021 1:01am

corner of hells wrote: »

I brought myself a telescope to watch my neighbours.

This you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0O9JvzyCus

Church on Tuesday · 05-02-2021 2:59pm

My place of work is closed atm, so having some kind of routine is essential for me.

I exercise. A lot. Running, walking 4-5 mile, intermediate weights etc. Great for body and mind, I feel you need that bit of hard physical activity and it helps with my mood. Try to get decent sleep.

I eat pretty clean; maybe the odd take away every two weeks or so. Have taken to following recipes on YouTube.

I write as well, mostly in the last couple of weeks. Usually kick back with a few cans of a weekend while watching a blu ray or listening to some music.

I'm also an avid collector, so the money I would spend on eating out or the pub goes back into that hobby.

I live by myself, so all of the above is essential to maintain a healthy mind, it would be very easy to slip into bad habits these days.

In any event, there is more of this behind us than ahead.

xzanti · 05-02-2021 3:21pm

My husband runs a construction business, I look after the admin end. So you could say I work from home, but that was the case before covid.

Have a ten and a three year old, so a lot of the day is taken up with refereeing between the two and there's a lot of crying in the corner (me that is).

Home schooling takes up a good chunk of the day too although the ten year old is quite good at getting himself started on that.

I make a point every day of showering, dressing and putting on a bit of makeup and going somewhere, even just to the local Spar. Stops me becoming too institutionalized.

Evening time I cook dinner and begin the winddown towards bed.

Rinse and repeat.

Lockdown..Another month ahead , describe your current daily activities and plans for

Comments