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The 7 Week Itch





Following a week of decorating, baking and excitement in anticipation of V E Day (which was glorious by the way), I suppose this week was always going to feel rather flat.

I'm tired. Exhausted. Exhausted of not having a proper routine or purpose. Tired of literally having no time to myself. Tired of thinking what do to, when to do it, and what to do after that's finished. And tired of (and this is the worst one) thinking what to have for tea.
No matter how many back to back activities you plan for the kids - they've done them. They're finished in ten minutes. It's like trying to organise some one's "fun filled 40th week end" every single day. No let up.

It is becoming increasingly more important that whilst lock down continues, so does life - with all its ups and downs. It's important to let people talk about their emotions. To open up. Especially whilst hugs, cuddles and shoulders to cry on are in such short supply. And that's what friends are for.

Friends come in all shapes and sizes. Lets take the 'mum friends'. Not only are they useful for stealing ideas from for what to do with your own kids, they are great at reassuring you that actually their kids aren't sat solving maths problems, participating in spelling tests, baking, crafting and finishing up with calm and peaceful yoga sessions on a daily basis. You're not the only parent who's given up and let them loose on the Nintendo Switch by 10.15am. Because it is all too easy to get lost in what you read on social media, or what you imagine in your head MUST be happening in every body else's house except yours!

Work colleagues friends are perfect for remembering life before all this started. Most of us see our work colleagues more than our own families. And they are a special type of friend. They might not know much about your 'real life' outside of work or the people you hang around with, but the bond they share with you is undeniably strong. Over the years many of my work colleagues have been my closest personal advisors and confidants, in all manner of issues. And i feel that because they don't always know every detail of my outside life, I can tell them anything without judgement.

We've all got old friends. The ones we've known for years, but don't see much any more because life has got in the way. You've probably been in touch with these old friends more during lock down, than you have in the past six months. What with whatsapp, zoom and the obligatory weekly quiz. And every time you hear their voice it's like old times. There's an over whelming sense of nostalgia which briefly lifts you out of lock down for a short period and straight in to their living room. Hopefully with better make up and something nicer to drink than Lambrini.

It's a shorter than normal note from me this week. Like everyone else at some point during our current situation, I've hit my lockdown low. My positive pants are in the wash.

I'll be back next week. But in the meantime, I'm glad I've got my friends.


by my son; Archie.

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