Finding balance in lockdown

finding balance in lockdown

Finding your balance in life in lockdown is extremely difficult however isn't impossible. I have several children and finding time to create balance between working/ writing, caring for my four beautiful children and keeping up with the house and also finding a way to take time out so I don't burn out has been very difficult. At least for a lot of people here in Western Australia, school is back in full swing, and for myself it means three out of four of my children are actually back in school, which makes finding the balance so much easier. However there was a time they were all home for five or so weeks. Balance went out the window. In fact in that time, I had no balance and I was extremely drained physically and emotionally. And this is the case, especially for parents but is also the case for everyone whom is still in lock down and has been for months now and who will continue to be for weeks and possibly for months to come.

Experts often say, and its also often advertised on the news and on TV ads get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, get some exercise and set and keep to a routine. All good advice, in theory anyway. But have you ever actually tried to follow this advice with several children, whom are full of beans. Work and maintain a house, especially a relatively small house with as many as six of you in such a small home? Well its more than a challenge, you clean up one room only to find the kids have pulled everything out in another room or two. It's a never ending cycle and you find it extremely overwhelming, draining and you just want to curl up in a ball and cry, maybe scream and you feel your hair growing greyer by the minute. Most parents know these feelings all too well.

First things first, take a step back, breathe and remind yourself this lockdown isn't forever, it will end. And school will go back, you'll be able to go back to work, or if you have lost your job you'll find another, no matter how impossible it may seem at the moment. If you feel your in the pit's of despair, call a friend or family member, take to your significant other, or simply put your children's favorite movie on and sit or laydown read your favorite book or even watch a movie on your phone or laptop, listen to your favorite music tracks. Most importantly, chill for a minute. Routine isn't always going to work. I feel that if you make yourself a list of things you want to get done the evening before and just complete as many of them the next day, ticking each one off as their done, will help you realize your actually achieving something and not feel like your getting no where. take breaks between tasks. For time to yourself, get up or stay up later then you normally would, have a coffee or take a shower. Take time to be alone in a room of your house without another household member insight.

You could, like I did, at least on a temporary basis put in a second TV in another room of the house so your kids can watch whatever they like within reason, so you can take a break and or spend one on one time with your significant other. Set aside, if you need to work from home, an area that is just a work area, for me that's in the laundry a desk, chair, laptop and phone. Depending on the job you do, you could potentially do your work early in the morning before the kids even get up. If that can't happen you could easily set the kids up with their school work or even just pencils and paper to draw, color in or simply to create some art pieces while you work. You could, providing your not on video calls and meetings play music. Just stick to the small stuff and remember you, your children and significant other are all doing the best they can.

It is a difficult and uncharted time for everyone, no one but you knows what's best for your children and yourself. You don't have to be perfect, frozen pizza is perfectly fine for tea. Everyone is doing the best they can in these challenging times. Give yourself a break, try not to stress. You don't have to have a perfect house. Dishes can be done later on, enjoy doing activities with your children, draw a picture with the kids. We will all get through this all together. Stay strong and just remember to relax and take a step back when you need too. Ask for help when you need too.

written by Cindy Dickson