The month of lockdown 2.0 comes to an end in just a matter of days in England. I know that other parts of the UK have been experiencing different restrictions than we have in England. I think all of us were waiting with bated breath to find out which tier we would be in once lockdown ends on 2nd December. So much so, that the Government website crashed on Thursday under the pressure of so many people trying to find out what they would be able to do once lockdown ends.
I had been trying not to think about it too much, as I knew I would end up getting myself stressed and feeling anxious about it all. However, when I discovered the area I live in (along with most other areas of the UK) is going to be in tier 2, I couldn’t help feeling really upset and immediately anxious. I know that the restrictions in tier 2 are not that bad. Gyms and shops are open, which is so good, as not being able to get to the gym for the last 4 weeks really has been hard. I am so pleased that they are allowing gyms to stay open in both tier 2 and tier 3, as the benefit of exercise, not only for physical health, but for mental health as well is just so important.
I think what has upset me so much about being in tier 2 is not being able to spend time with my friends catching up. Yes, I know we can see people outside, but come on, its December, the coldest and yuckiest time of the year, who really wants to be spending more time outside than they really need to. I really struggle with the dark and cold weather at this time of year, anyway, so being outside is just not where I want to be. I haven’t seen some of my friends for almost a year now, and December is the time where we usually all try and get together for a Christmas catch up.
I do understand that the restrictions in tier 2 are actually not that bad, and that there are so many people living in areas placed in tier 3 who are facing really tough restrictions. I know we are able to see our families at Christmas, which is really amazing. I think a lot of us are all just feeling very tired and jaded with 2020 and riding the Covid wave. If there was an end in sight, I think people would be able to manage a lot easier, but knowing that the first part, at least, of 2021 is going to be exactly the same, it’s just hard to feel anything other than worry and anxiousness about what’s to come.
How are you all feeling about life after lockdown 2.0? Has the tier system made you feel more or less anxious about managing the virus?
