Lockdowns and self isolation don't stop WOYWWers having a good time.
Having said that, I had a real "down day" on Sunday but pulled myself together and created a journal page - see post below this (here)
this was the page I made -
Not had time (ha ha, what a comedian - I should say not MADE time) for anything else since... must get into crafting in the evenings again, after all the constant news specials/corvid updates on tv and radio ae doing my head in, and no sport should mean I can crack on.... we'll see what next week brings shall we!
Hope you are all keeping well and following the guidelines and staying safe. Sending you all a virtual hug.
Just realised that today is 1st April.. well this is one April Fool we could do without... It would also have been (divorce apart) my wedding anniversary! (don't ask, it's a very long and now boring story!)
Depending on how little of my "lunch break" I take, I'll visit some of you then and catch the rest later.
Morning Helen. I rather think I agree with the sentiment on your journal page - how easy it is, when there is no real structure to the week, to sit and bemoan our lot... I trust you are staying safe, and following the guidelines. I'm sure you are.
ReplyDeleteTake care. God bless.
Margaret #?
Hi Helen, hope you are feeling a bit more 'up' today. Working from home at least helps us keep track of the days! Love the journal page. Even if this season is abandoned I believe that Liverpool should be given the trophy at 25 points ahead. Happy WOYWW and stay safe. Sarah #?
ReplyDeleteI think we all have or will have a "down" day now and then. Only human nature. Mine was yesterday with a bad back pain day and then an upset tum.
ReplyDeleteIt must feel strange working from home and I did think of you during the week but imagined lots of crafting being done. Hope you get more structure to allow you crafting time this week. And to purchase before they stop that happening for us.
Hugs, Neet 2 xx
The quote on your page is very appropriate - I think we've all had to change our mindsets to cope whichever is best for us. There are no hard and fast rules, though I've made the conscious decision to stop watching/listening to the news. Not burying my head in the sand but avoiding worrying over things I can't control.
ReplyDeleteHugs LLJ 4 xxx
HAPPY WOYWDW
ReplyDeleteLoving the page and the quote is so good, I hope you find some crafting to do as I find I get lost in it and tink of nothing else for awhile and its great,
Have a great week stay well and safe,
Lilian B #9
Morning Helen! I think I might like to invest some time in the story of your Wedding being on 1st April some time. I think you’re amazing for working at home, I mean, I know you have to and all, but it takes a different motivation all together doesn't it. Be sure you take a lunch break, even if it is only to EAT something. I love the journal page you did, and its message. Some days though, its hard to keep a grip on the state of mind. I am actively avoiding news and COVID19 updates now. Not head in the sand so much as to ensure I stay less anxious. ALthough Bart did call me in yesterday lunchtime to watch a news article about a chap who was at home recovering, which was a great positive to watch. It’s not that I don’t trust you all to do the right thing, it’s just that I don't have CONTROL of you all and that makes me anxious! According to my daughter anyway, the control thing in me is what makes me anxious for you all. Just because she thought my idea of her moving home was ridiculous! The evenings are a bit better now, so there’s decent light to do a bit of after work crafting if you’re in the mood. Are you doing a job that needs office hours or can you swap an afternoon for an evening if the mood to create hits you?
ReplyDeleteMorning Helen, sorry to here isolation is getting you down, it must be hard all on your own when you are accustomed to working with lots of other people and not being able to get to Kew either. Bless you
ReplyDeleteChris #11
I love your pages Helen and the quote is very apt for these times. I have stopped watching the news - I just check out the headlines first thing in the morning - I felt it was creating too much worry and anxiety in my life, and I think I feel better for it. I hope you have more 'up' days from now on.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and well,
Hugs, Diana x #13
Hi Helen, loving your journal page. I finally got my journal out again and did a bit which is here if you want to see it: https://angelacuttingandcarving.blogspot.com/2020/03/friday-fun-day-with-smiles_27.html
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to have to organise my day better though I am quite busy shifting stuff into the cabin. Take care and have a happy and creative woyww, Angela x18x
Hi Helen. I think we are all avoiding too much news lately. I find the 10 o'clock news fills my head with anxiety and I'm then awake half the night thinking so we catch up on the news each morning for any necessary updates then we only watch light entertainment. Crafting is certainly helping fill my days and I have too much to do yet to feel the need to start doing housework.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and keep busy my friend.
Hugs,
Annie x
Your page is lovely . Not sure I could cope without any crafting and NOT watching too much news. Sorry you were feeling rubbish . Take care - Keep safe Soojay #21
ReplyDeleteAvoiding the news is probably one of the healthiest things we can do. Otherwise is becomes a never-ending tale of doom and gloom..... no wonder you have down day. Time will help us all to adjust and organising some form of routine that becomes familiar and predictable in a period of unfamiliar and totally unpredictable. Stay safe and keep crafting.
ReplyDeleteSandra de @15
Morning Helen
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to the news at all now apart from the briefing at 5pm. It's the only way to get through this I think. I had a bad day on Saturday and had to pull myself together and be thankful for what I have. I'm lucky to have a very supportive hubby and a daughter who enjoys our company so absolutely nothing to get upset about.
I'm glad your journalling helped. Routine also helps I think. It keeps so normality to the days.
Take care and have a good week if you can
Hugs Lisax #19
I'm very good about keeping my hands and mind busy so I don't usually get low! I am always busy with something or other as I have a house and yard to maintain and then of course my flower making. I'm happy you are doing better! Love the journal page!
ReplyDeleteGlenda #16
Hi Helen, great page, and the quote is very true.I must admit to not doing as much as I should be able to, as well. It is a case of making the time, I agree. Stay safe and have a good week,Hugs, Shaz #7 X
ReplyDeleteAfternoon Helen. I take it you are managing to work from home, I guess that gives some structure to your day. My daughter is the same (M&S) but she has the first week everyone was suited and booted with full make up for video conferencing (they have them ALL DAY). Yesterday she was still in her pjs at lunchtime, she said standards were slipping a bit...... Hubby and ! are all over the place but kinda normal for us as we still are not in a post retirement routine. We did consider writing the day of the week on the fridge each morning but thought we would probably forget to change it. Could end up with an everlasting loop of Wednesdays, though that could be quite fun. I find I have had to start distancing myself from all the madness - I check the figures in the morning, and the highlights from the evening briefing but otherwise trying to avoid the constant barrage of information which isn't always helpful. A couple of days I have just broken all connections and felt much better for it. Always here if you need a chat or a vent (unless its one of those days of course!!) Keep well, keep safe, Happy WOYWW Cindy #20
ReplyDeleteHello Helen, great idea to craft when you are down, even if it is only backgrounds. Your page is great and an apt comment when we are feeling hemmed in. I am finding the constant barrage of news is making me a little down and I am having a hard time of keeping track of the days of the week. Stay safe and keep creating x Angela # 22
ReplyDeleteHi Helen, 1 page is good, anything to keep the mind busy with fun things. I enjoy my music, TV here is not the best and I only listen to NEWS once a day, it is disgusting. I am thankful for this group and my hobbies. Blessings to you and STAY SAFE. #28
ReplyDeleteHi Helen (( HUGS )) I am tolerating hubs watching the news at night but, instead of stealing time to go play it just sucks the joy out of you and I end up sitting until I go to bed. so, I get that I am having better luck making time to create on the weekends in the daylight because, he does not automatically turn the tv on. I find if I play music ( and I mean playlists not things with commercials) I go back and forth between cleaning up things and making new messes. and its a little bit lighter in my heart during those times. I think that page you made looks like a very profound thought :) hang in there, ~Stacy #29
ReplyDeleteHi Helen - lovely page and sentiment. I hope life at home which includes work isn't too stressful. We have decided to watch more comedy on tv to lift our spirits. Like many of the other WOYWWers we have found watching too much news and updates depressing. When we can do anything to help, we will, until then we need to think positive thoughts and make the most of the limitations. Take care and keep safe. xx Jo
ReplyDeleteI think this page captures where you were perfectly, from what you say. I see the deep dark purply shadows of feeling down, but then the energy and light of the background and those soft bubbles starting to bring back some positivity - and those words. Quite right. And also so true about the importance of not getting dragged into the constant round of news and scare stories and updates. Once a day for what's important to know and then yes, take yourself to the craft supplies or a good book or some favourite music - and let your state of mind be your escape to freedom. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Alison xx
I'm so glad you were able to get yourself out of your paddy by making such a beautiful page, Helen - love the sentiment! You are doing fine. April Fools' Day notwithstanding, we are all going to continue to hang in there together, aren't we, and keep the WOYWW flag flying!
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame you can no longer have your weekly visits to Kew, but you've now got so many beautiful photos taken over the years that you can browse through those and imagine you are there, I am sure. Being amongst flowers and trees and natural things is such a tonic to the soul.
Keep smiling and keep safe and well.
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #26
Definitely captured the moment with your journal page Helen, I feel like i'm one of those figures right now with everything vivid around me trying to work out the best way of doing the necessary care duties whilst keeping others around me safe.. Keep on creating and try and give yourself time each day make a date with yourself, i'm having to rewrite my routine daily.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet will life be when this all ends. Sending safe wishes your way this WoywW Tracey xx #25
I absolutely love your journal page, so perfect for the current state of affairs. Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay well, With love & God Bless, Caro x (#17)
ReplyDeleteHi Helen, ah the sentiment on your journal page is certainly topical. Great colours too. I think all of us will be having some wobbly days before this war is over. We have our Wednesday blog hop to keep some normality in our lives, but my crafting mojo has taken a nose dive recently - mainly because my craft room is now my office, and who wants to spend more time than they have to in their office! Have a lovely week and stay safe and well, Heather xx #33
ReplyDeleteI love that quote, so true today, what we make of this isolation is up to us, and a state of mind. I am grateful for our little group of friends here, even though we are far away from each other. Stay safe, and have a great week, Lindart #34
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit, Helen, and for your kind words! I had to laugh at your remark about the kitties not observing social distancing! They don't know the meaning of that haha! They couldn't get closer together if they tried!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying your day today.
Shoshi x #26
I love the sentiment on your journal page. Though I'm still getting about for groceries and mail (1 mile drive to the post office) it feels real weird not going to church, a drive, or meeting friends. Thank goodness for the internet!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling more positive and thanks for stopping by!
Carol N #27
I treat each day as normal well as normal as possible, suppose it is harder if you usually go out to work. Thank goodness we all have our crafting and our blog friends. Can't believe I beat you to No 1 as I was late on the computer!! Ani #1
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit hard to find a new routine isn't it? I try not to follow the news 'all day' but it creeps into my head and I do follow the news in the evenings... and take day by day what it brings. I love the art journal page, so nice to be able to 'get it out' - glad you could and are satisfied over the result, it IS a beautiful spread! Have a nice day, stay healthy and safe. Big hug from Holland. Marit #24
ReplyDeleteHi Helen. I am sorry to hear your feeling down. Even though we are miles and oceans apart, you can always know I am here. I have felt down on and off. I avoid the news except for a couple times a week. I don't need to see the daily death toll and I know we will need to hunker down for a few months. So I skip it. One would think I would get a lot done but I find I am often distracted so crafting and reading seem to suffer. Stay well my friend, we will get through this.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Belinda #31
Hi Helen. my grandparents, and mum's best friends and my nephew and wife all married on 1st April, three couples over three generations.. am sorry you were sad and gkad you managed to pull yourself together.. great page.. with no social distancing required! Lovely work.
ReplyDeleteBTW I avoid TV updates and running commentary. I check two updates a day on Aust Gov and state website. Facts not repeated emphasis ad nauseam! That stresses me out unnecessarily.
Sorry for late visit! 😊
Thanks for sharing, and may God bless you and all you love, and keep you well in these troubled times. In God we trust.
Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x #23
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Hi Helen, just popped back to thank you for the comment over at mine. Enjoy your lunch and take care. Hugs, Angela xXx
ReplyDeleteGlad the journaling helps, I have been trying to NOT see too much news. I watch the early morning one then switch off and work until the 1700 announcement and have turned off my pushed notifications too. Doesn't work for everyone but has helped me.
ReplyDeleteYour journal page reminds me I made some cut out stencil figures years ago-I need to dig them out and use them again!
Kyla