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How are you coping?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Xtabay’s thread about boredom made me wonder: what’s your coping mechanism for this difficult situation we find ourselves in?

Mine has been daily hikes/walks in the woods near our home. We are lucky enough to have a small trail network built by our development through the woods behind our house, and there are also dozens of miles of mountain bike/hike trails nearby. I find it very therapeutic to be out in nature, and I’m observing things deeply, which I find simultaneously calming and stimulating. Some days I take my “real camera” and others just my phone. Some days I take a little day pack with a snack or lunch, and make 8 miles of it — other days I’ll just go out for an hour.

Here are some recent favorite pics from my wanderings. (first three are with the Nikon and macro lens; others are iPhone)

What is your coping method?

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39 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

Kyle

Veteran

Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos with us. I’m trying to take things one day at a time and not pressure myself too much to accomplish any big tasks. I’m not able to go out except to walk the dog and go to the doctor, and like you, I find being outside is therapeutic. Other than that I’m cleaning, sewing a new quilt project, reading, napping and connecting with friends and family as much as possible. When I start to feel down about being so confined I remind myself how fortunate my family is compared to others who are battling health and financial hardships. Stay healthy!

Sisi

Veteran

Yoga and exercise in the garden! (no walks allowed here). The weather has been Summery in the last days and like you I find that being in the nature is therapeutic and energizing. Blue sky and white clouds, little insects that walk on me , the smell of the apple tree and the birds that sing like crazy - they seem particularly happy lately.

Your photos are beautiful as always!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Sisi and Kyle! Nature truly is therapeutic. I know we are really fortunate to be going through this in a part of the world where the temperatures are mild and we can enjoy the budding spring. I saw Joy and others have mentioned snow, which just makes me wish I could send them some of this lovely weather!

Marilyn

Veteran

Gorgeous pictures, Janet. Isn't nature beautiful! #13 looks like a dragon or horse head coming out of the tree.

I WISH I had such access to nature. It's so therapeutic. I grew up on a lake in the country. I'm currently in the city and all parks and trails in Ottawa are closed. Bylaw offers are being really hardcore handing out fines.....$880 per infraction.

I'm doing long daily walks with my dog except when it's raining. It's still cool here.....I walked in a freak snow blizzard one day last week. I'm doing almost daily exercises using online videos and things my gym has posted for members. I REALLY miss my gym time. I'm baking healthy treats.....yesterday I made Black Bean Brownies (so good!) and a big batch of banana chips. I'm sewing......have been making masks and doing some clothing alterations. I do a mindfulness meditation at least once per day. I try not to read or watch too much news....it's overwhelming and really stresses me out. I text with my kids throughout the day.....I really miss them.

Take care, everyone!

JAileen

Veteran

What beautiful photos! My husband has been going out birding almost every day, lugging his camera. He has taken some lovely bird pictures.

We’ve started going on bike rides. It just started being nice out. I’m sleeping better. I was just on the couch all day, feeling like a slug.

I’ve also planted some things in the vegetable garden. Last year we were traveling somewhere, and didn’t get the early things in - spinach, peas, radishes, etc. It’s nice seeing them pop up.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Janet, those photos are SO beautiful. Thank you! It looks as if your trail system is gorgeous and what a gift to enjoy it as spring unfolds. I'm sure you will end up making beautiful art with some of these, also.

My mood fluctuates, depending on the day and what is on my mind. Concern for several friends in tighter lockdown and serious personal distress can make me blue. We've lost two people in our extended circle to COVID related illness. The news is grim and makes me sad and angry. And, like most everybody, I've suffered a lot of personal disappointments and am dealing with a higher level of stress in my life due to a move, an unanticipated housemate, and a heavy workload, coming all at the same time.

But like you, I find my rambles in nature to be therapeutic. We, too, have an extensive trail system near our new home, and we are allowed to walk (with care and distancing). Provincial parks are closed but regional parks remain open and so sometimes we go to one of those for an even more extensive wander. My photos aren't anything special -- just my iphone and no skill -- but they give you a sense of the place. Also -- check out that rusty car I ran into one day in the woods!! Right up your alley.

So far, these walks, my 3 times a week kettlebells class on Zoom, some meetings and regular phone calls with friends, cuddling with my cat, family suppers, and my time in the garden are what keeps me going. It was also great to organize my closet and drawers. I really appreciate the way that my walks and gardening anchor me to the moment. That's where I get my greatest contentment.

Pics from shortly after our arrival, March 19.

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Anonymous

I like the idea of fighting the invisible enemy COVID with the visual arts. Poetic justice! Your photos are a treat. I've been craving some forest-bathing, but all our local public parks, trails, etc. are closed right now. That leaves city streets, which are fine, but not the same as getting out in nature. Thanks for sharing your lovely woods with us!

rachylou

Veteran

You know, it’s funny. Lilypup and I of course walk daily, but there are so so many people out now walking, it’s become stressful. At all times, including our midnight walk. Lilypup has started ‘taking me’ on shorter walks. We do multiple, shorter walks.

Helena

Veteran

Beautiful photos Janet! Walks are part of my coping too (this is always true, actually), along with other forms of exercise, quiet time, and YLF! xx

kellygirl

Veteran

Your wanderings are so beautiful--both yours and Suz's! I live in a small town with access to trails and parks. I used to think of being in the boondocks as a negative but I've come to appreciate the wide open spaces. Took me a minute!

ETA: I'm not sure if I have a coping mechanism. I find I have time to do some things around the house that needed to be done. Some pruning, cleaning, sorting, etc. With both girls home from school, there's also a lot of cooking and laundry. I do find working from home more stressful than being in the office. It feels like I'm always working--except for weekends.

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Marilyn

Veteran

Rachylou......I hear you on walks becoming stressful. I end up zigzagging all over the place, crossing back and forth across the street, and occasionally end up walking in the street as it's the only place to move to. The only good thing about bad weather days is there are less people walking. And now that it's warming up we've got bikes on the sidewalks.....I'm fine with that as I don't like kids riding on the street. BUT, they need to use their damned bells! Racing up behind someone with a dog on a leash is not cool! A family of 4 scared the heck out of me the other day.

slim cat

Veteran

Great photos! Would love to go for a hike - but settling for a city walks with some short trails around partially closed parks. I feel like I went through not so good week and need to get more physical activity as therapy of sorts.

cindysmith

Veteran

I've been watching lots of Nailed It on Netflix, and also The Valhalla Murders. I did plant a small container garden, so there's that

Anonymous

Well, I have to be honest in admitting that I'm not necessarily coping well. Or at least the way I would have imagined. The weather here has been the biggest impediment , and I can count on one hand the number of warm-enough days we've had that make walking outside remotely pleasant. The urban forest nearby with bike paths and trails has been closed because HUMAN BONES were found there two days ago. Seriously ? I started out this whole confinement with all good intentions, which have fallen by the wayside. I worked out daily, started cleaning and puttering around my house, but I'm now spending my days reading, cooking and baking and eating WAY too much. It's a funk I can't seem to get myself out of. Being in the house all day means easy access to food, and I'm not burning enough calories all day to justify it. I've slipped back into having a cocktail many evenings, which is something else I don't like. I'm not feeling like my usual self and I don't like it. I am also sick of cleaning and tidying. There, rant done. Sorry

Pat_P

I too am coping mostly with lots of walking in the woods. That and cleaning the house, which I find very calming. My job is considered essential so I am still working full time, half the week in the office and half at home. I am fortunate to live in a rural area, so there are lots of trails nearby and walking is encouraged. Time in the woods with my two dogs helps a lot on the many days I am feeling anxious and overwhelmed. I know a lot of us feel that way - sending support and strength to everyone!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I was fine, but my flirt is much quieter these days. I hadn’t realized how much I was depending on him!

Anonymous

Love the photos! I've been fine, and not missing my normal schedule at all. It's very quiet here, I have DH and the
=^-^=s, and plenty to keep myself occupied Just wish it was warmer cause we're out of propane and don't want to buy another tank!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Janet, I follow you on Instagram, and thoroughly enjoy what your artistic eye finds as you walk the woods - I want to buy my next batch of cards! I love that I have a Janet Jeffers originals stash in my draw!

Suz, the weather in our area has REALLY helped us to cope because we can get out and walk comfortably. We are very lucky. HIGH FVE, and gorgeous pics. I love #21! Your new house has become a home

I feel sorry for those with snow and harsh weather. That sucks and you have my sympathy

We live downtown and by the water so in great walking area. Big bonus.

The three of us are coping well despite the ongoing anxiety of our old Dads who live far away, are not well, and we can't physically help them out. That part is very stressful. Something happens almost daily, so we take it as it comes and do the best we can. We also have very sad days about what is happening in the world. Greg, Sam and I are thankfully excellent at creating calm and strength in one another. We are quite unflappable, very positive, a good team, and soldier on. I'm sheltering and isolating in luxury with my favourite person and doggie, and feel extremely blessed and grateful.

I thought I would do yoga every morning. NO WAY. It stresses me out big time! The only thing I can manage are my PT exercises. The early mornings are when we get updates from Dads across different time zones so I'm too anxious to do yoga. We don't sleep well either. Oh well....it will pass.

I'm a busy bee with a lot of energy and never sit still. I need a lot of structure and create it with work, dressing up, walks with Sam, watching the news, cooking up a storm, cleaning, problem solving for others, organizing our groceries/health and meals like a military operation, and staying in touch with loved ones. We make every meal special, and have regular down time as a little nucleus of three each night.

I always work on Sundays so that you have blog posts to read! So I must take some personal time on Fridays (which includes scrubbing the house!) It worked well last week, so I am continuing the rhythm.

We participated in a wonderful Zoom quizz with friends on Sunday! It was lots of fun. Will do that again.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

We live in the city and, while parks and beaches and trails are an easy drive away, they're all closed. Our neighborhood walks are pretty much what Marilyn described, though I find walking in the middle of the street to be kind of fun and novel.

An advantage of living in a dense area is that we can safely chat with neighbors from our respective roofs and balconies. And my roof has been my salvation. The weather has been gorgeous, and I spend a good half the day up there every day. Sadly, that might change this week with highs in the 90s, as we haven't been able to shop for shade umbrellas yet.

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Sara L.

Veteran

I'm not bored since I'm still working full-time, just from home instead of going into an office. My kids are all home with me and they've started doing online learning. Between trying to work full-time and keep the kids on task, I'm busier than ever. I take the dogs for a walk almost every day. My area of town was historically rural and irrigated and there are still drainage ditches all over. They're not official trails so are only really used by the people that live in this area. They haven't been inundated with hikers/walkers like other nearby trails.

We've done virtual happy hours with friends and family and while this situation certainly isn't ideal, I'm dealing with it.

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Cardiff girl

Veteran

We have been lucky to be blessed with unseasonably good weather so are out in the garden pottering for most of the day.Other than that I practise my music daily(no excuses now!).I have an exercise bike set up so exercise regularily and do floor exercises.Its interesting what has been said by people about what they thought they would do in the circumstances and what they are actually doing.l had this conversation with my DD the other day.l thought that I would sew and read my way through the days but I have done neither yet,instead it’s exercise,music and cooking.l seem to be baking my way through the apocalypse,it’s a good job that I m still exercising or when the time comes for release I going to get wedged in my front door!

Gorgeous photos!

ChristelJ

Veteran

Such lovely photos. It's a treat to get a glimpse of folks' environments.

I have found myself obsessed with cooking. This is new. I think because it's something I can control, something concrete and sense-stimulating to focus on to get away from my worry brain.

I really enjoy the challenge of shopping the limited shelves at the store, making use of leftovers and scraps, getting creative with whatever is on hand rather than running out to get this or that ingredient like I used to do.

If only this pursuit didn't lead to eating pretty much all day long. I get in one walk a day, but it's only around a small nearby park, so can't be burning many calories...

Style Fan

Veteran

Your photos are gorgeous Janet. We live right beside the TransCanada trail. The trail goes to a beautiful waterfall. So far the trail is open. Some of the trails are closed. Parts of this trail are on private property so I think that makes a difference.
We live in an area that is very rural but becomes busy in the summer. There is some tension right now between the locals and the cottagers. I don't get involved in it. I have enough to worry about.
I do Yoga with Mr SF every morning and we go for a long walk in the afternoon. I have been experimenting with some new recipes. I am not much of a cook and not really a foodie. Some of the recipes have been pretty good.
A lot of my friends work in health care. I feel for them and I am doing whatever I can to be positive. All and all I think I am managing pretty well.

Runcarla

Veteran

Absolutely love the photos. Do, please, keep sharing with us, Janet!

I’m doing quite well with the challenges imposed by the measures put in place to flatten the curve of Covid-19 by the various levels of government in Canada. As an introvert, and retired these past 2 years, I’ve had time to develop a schedule that panders to my needs, but is a compromise with DH. I would probably do less during regular times, if it wasn’t for DH’s desire to have a more active social life. (My family thinks I would have made a good nun!)

Walks have been a part of our regular routine, and cooking and house cleaning never ends. With a clear calendar, DH and I are tackling home improvements from a list created when we first moved into our current home in 2014. We just started the plaster work on another bedroom (our 3rd project!) and will be painting later this week. We are hoping for warmer temps so we can move to outdoor chores.

Our walks have recently been through the ravine system behind our home. It can be buggy in summer, and impassable (snow) in winter, but right now is perfect. The paths open up at different points in town, and we never quite know where we might end up!

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Your photos are mesmerizing. Thank you for sharing! As for coping, I have my ups and downs, more downs than usual. We have a full house and frequent enough Zoom social events so I am not lonely socially (my social needs are pretty limited and I am living with 4 others). But I miss escaping into the world of other people. The regulations here are beginning to relax and the weather is getting hot, so I am hoping things will be getting better soon.

anchie

Veteran

I have been house bound long before lockdown because of my back issues and limited mobility. But I think I am coping well. I work from home and talk to coworkers, friends and family daily so don’t feel socially isolated. I do miss going outside and in the nature, and hope that I will recover enough to be able to that soon. We live in the city, so no nature reachable on foot, and it seems that there are too many people on the streets, keeping distance is going to be challenging. This is the view from my balcony. It doesn’t look like pandemic is going on.

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columbine(erin)

Veteran

Your photos are so lovely and soothing, Janet! I've been rather stressed and have less time than normal but have experimented a bit with casting flowers and then watercoloring them. Very therapeutic when I get a moment to do it.

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nemosmom

Veteran

Your photos are stunning, Janet! You have quite an eye for grabbing the perfect shot.

I'll admit I am not coping well. Crap weather, closed parks, crazy work hours only amplifies the stress. It's a weird feeling to have such a great desire to escape, but such a huge inability to leave.

Staysfit

Veteran

Janet, your photos are beautiful, you have an amazing eye.

I have had surprisingly little time to relax. I think my coping strategy has therefore been to stay busy. I am never bored. The number of hours I need to work per day has increased exponentially. Implementing telemedicine procedures for a multidisciplinary mental health and school collaborative team has been a time consuming challenge, but my excellent co-workers have been flexible, creative and persistent in making it work.

I do my best to exercise daily...Pilates, walking, weights, etc. I enjoy having a clean and organized environment so when I have time I work on Spring cleaning. My current project is pulling out and cleaning window screens and the inside surfaces of all my windows... I try to call either one friend or family member every day. Staying connected with the people I care about fuels my soul. I had planned to visit my parents in early April but could not travel (dad is 84, mom is 80). I have started to make masks for friends, co-workers and family.... I am working on a 5 hour continuing education packet required every 3 years for medical license renewal. I also have my usual continuing education to complete.

DS21 is finishing his senior year remotely and will need to stay with us until he can find work. DD26, a graduate student, lost her paid internship due to closures and will most likely move back with us and accept an unpaid internship. DH is scrambling to prepare final lectures and sort out how he will give a remote final for the college course he teaches this semester.

Now that I have written all this, I realize that my primary coping strategies are getting a good night sleep, eating healthy food, and my ability to stay calm, maintain a positive attitude, be flexible, and to quickly prioritize tasks and organize routines.

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