Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 276 – Normality… Kinda?

14 Jun 2020 54 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

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“But I’ve strayed so far from normal now, I’ll never find my way back. And the truth is, I no longer want to.”

Alyson Noel

Thank you, Spidey, for another great quote!

We’ve been living in this way now, for twelve weeks. Some class it as the #newnormal, some think of it as a phase, some have barely changed what they were doing before…

It has been tough, for everyone, in so many different ways.

We lost the freedom to go where we wanted, when we wanted.

We had to learn to spent twenty-four hours with the people in our households. People we love, but who we’ve not spent so much time with, with out a break

We learned how to adapt our working lives or school lives, to working from home, with children bursting in, in the middle of Zoom meetings, or trying to calm a child’s meltdown as they didn’t get their home learning task. (quite often, it was the parent melting down because they didn’t get it!)

We adapted in many ways, using technology, where possible, to keep in touch with friends and family.

We tried our hands at different things, once we’d settled into this surreal way of living. Cooking different things, baking, DIY, arts and crafts, gardening. All sorts of stuff.

We almost enjoyed the extra hour in bed because there was no commute in the morning. (Unless you have a cat like mine, who sings the morning breakfast chorus in your ear at stupid o’clock, until you relent and go give him food.)

We took time out to go for walks, or attempted to use that one outing for exercise to cycle, or run. Something some of us had been wanting to do for ages, but never found the time for.

And now, as lockdown reaches the next stage of easing… how are we feeling?

I know I have had a strange one. Not totally isolated as I had to go into school regularaly, and get the groceries in. Planning and working from home has been a strange experience. Not seeing my class at all has been horrible.

But the extra time at home has been enlightening in so many ways.

My almost daily walks have been with Lil Man, and I am proud of my nearly 15-year-old, and his thinking. We have talked, frankly, about so much, over the last three months. I feel that our relationship as mother and son has reached a different level.

Lil Princess has been a harder nut to crack. She hasn’t taken to lockdown that well, and disappears in to her room for hours at a time, not wanting to go out, or even have conversations, but we’ve been trying. She’s really missing her friends. She will do all the online learning, but she misses school. And with no sign of her going back, before September, it is tough.

Hubby Dearest and I have reached a relaxed way of living. Work hours are just that, and breaks and evenings are spent sitting, talking, eating, planning the future…

I’ve written some, read lots, learned new crafts, baked, experimented with different recipes. I’ve let my hair go, the grey is rife. My nails are as au naturel as the day I was born.

Am I happy that my life is falling into more of the old normality, come Monday?

Hubby Dearest will still be working from home. Lil Princess will still be distance learning, as will Lil Man, but with some allowances for either video call or face to face meetings to discuss his next steps, as he is in Year 10, meaning GCSEs next year.

I go back to school to a much-reduced class, only 11 out of a possible 30, (and one of those is actually from the other class as we have a set of twins, and needed them in the same bubble).

There are mixed feelings.

I have loved being at home, spending time with my family, and being able to do more of what I love, on top of working.

But, I was born to teach. And I have missed my class far too much. I can’t count the hours I have spent, worrying about certain children and whether they are okay, if they are even trying to access any of the learning we are setting for them.

Yet, I still have an underlying anxiety about going back. And I blame the government and media for this. Is it safe to go back, or not? Are we the country’s guinea pigs? Some schools came back partially, a couple of weeks ago, and they’ve reported back that things are okay. Weird, but okay.

And as a BAME member of the community, should I be even more cautious? Hubby Dearest would much rather I didn’t go back. He even offered to keep the household ticking over so I could hand my notice in. He’s scared.

I can’t do that, though. School is so much a part of me. Yes, the idea of not working sounds great. I could legitimately devote all my time to writing, but that is one full income we’d be down by. I’d feel like I lost a part of my independence.

But, I do wish there was an inbetween. A little more home time, a little less school stress.

But, for now, I’ll just have a go at the cards we’ve been dealt, and see what happens… cautiously.

So… tell me, as things inch themselves back to a semblance of normality, how are you feeling?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps  And enjoy your week! ❤

54 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Jennie
    Jun 19, 2020 @ 02:18:53

    I could have written your words myself, Ritu. Yes, that’s me. And yes, that’s how it is. My assistant teacher quit yesterday. She is the best, I’m devastated. If we have to wear masks, how will children learn the cues to social and emotional growth? We’re doing end of year home visits, and today I read aloud a book while wearing a mask. Awful.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. The Avid Reader
    Jun 17, 2020 @ 17:21:47

    I don’t live in the UK, but things are easing into something resembling ‘normal’. We have to wear masks and social distance, but we can pretty much do what we did ‘before’. That doesn’t mean though, that I’m going to be rushing out to social events and the cinema. This is partly because of the anxiety I’ve experienced during lock down and also, I don’t see what’s wrong with taking baby steps, rather than just launching ourselves in to ‘normal’ life. Having a more cautious and aware mindset, isn’t a bad thing, in my opinion, it shows that you respect your and other people’s space. Great post!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. bookstopen
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 22:00:55

    Hi Ritu (it’s Barb from Book Club Mom, by the way). I know exactly how you feel. It’s been such a strange time for all of us. I returned to work 2 days a week last week, but the library isn’t open to the public, so we’re just doing our work in the building. The rest of the time I work from home. My husband has been back to work for about a month. My younger kids are finished with school, so it’s summer break for them. Fortunately they can go out and ride bikes or fish and now more things are open here. I had anxiety about going back into the world, but now that I have, I actually feel better. It’s all up and down though and all we can do is ride it out!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Jun 15, 2020 @ 22:16:09

      Today wasn’t too bad, to be honest, but I still have family at home who are really freaked out by everything.
      Good to know things are getting back to some familiarity though 💜

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      Reply

  4. potatosandwich
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 06:44:08

    The human mind and way of life will continue to adapt, even in these new circumstances.
    Its a matter of personal choice re: work and close contact, especially if you’re from a BAME background. But I guess how long do people live in fear? The best thing we can do is keep ourselves healthy as possible. That’s a lesson for us for the future. Do what is within our power. I’ve made countless trips to my local supermarket over the last 8 weeks…feel OK I did the math and now much more confident about being out in the wider public.
    The acid test for the UK will be two weeks from now. We’ve had thousands protesting, and if numbers remain low, then that’s got to be a safe indication.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Maria Mocha
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 05:08:36

    Lots of emotional rollercoasters. Up and down feelings. I am riding the wave and writing my thoughts. This is how I am handling it. Writing is the way to go.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. thereluctantpoet
    Jun 15, 2020 @ 01:06:54

    Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. johnrieber
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 18:18:07

    Terrific post Ritu…each of us has handled #quarantinelife in a unique way, but we were all in it together as well…I agree that there are so many conflicting signals right now that you have every right to be concerned about going back to class…stay safe!

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Rebecca Moon Ruark
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 18:02:00

    We’re being pretty careful still. I’ve only been to the grocery store 4 times over this period, having the groceries delivered earlier on in the pandemic. All our stores require masks, by state law, and I’m thankful for that. My sister in law flew in from another state–hardly anyone on the plane–so we’re loosening up. And our neighborhood pool opened today, so we’ll distance as much as we can, but it’s too hot here to do much else in the summer (95 and crazy humid is a normal thing), so I’m thankful. I’m really hoping my kids can go to school–the remote schooling really doesn’t work well for us–in the fall, but we’ll see! Good luck and stay safe, Ritu!

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. OIKOS™-Publishing
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 13:02:21

    Wishes to Sonu. 😉 He really is a singer? Lol Its so true, the #newnormal is not really the best we got. Our schools will be full reopend tomorrow. Whats with yours? Hope you can stay save. Best wishes to you and yours. Enjoy the Sunday. Michael
    P.S.: Will you teach Sonu some of the ABBA songs? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. robbiesinspiration
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 12:53:43

    Our infection rate is increasing and so are our deaths as we start our winter, Ritu. We are not going out much and my boys are still home schooling. What does BAME stand for?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Jun 14, 2020 @ 12:59:46

      BAME is Black and Minority Ethnics. There is a huge disparity in the numbers of deaths. BAME community members dying at disproportionately higher rates xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • robbiesinspiration
        Jun 14, 2020 @ 17:12:28

        Thanks, Ritu, I have read about a higher death rate with people of colour in the US. Do they have any idea why that is? I thought it might be poverty and circumstances related in the US. Our population is predominantly African but we haven’t had a high death rate here at all. It is creeping up in the poorer communities but I suspect that is due to the high prevalence of TB, Aids and high blood pressure in those communities as well as circumstances which make social distancing impossible.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Jun 14, 2020 @ 17:16:30

        They haven’t given reasons, just lots of figures… Which doesn’t help,n

        Liked by 1 person

      • robbiesinspiration
        Jun 14, 2020 @ 17:18:31

        Okay, well, I’ll let you know what happens here. Our African people believe this is a white peoples disease so many of them aren’t worrying about it at all.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Jun 14, 2020 @ 17:27:09

        It will be interesting to see what happens, but in a morbid way…

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Stephen Tanham
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 11:58:42

    Beautiful writing, Ritu.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Erika
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 11:45:42

    We are creatures of habit. When you get used to something new and you adjusted or even began to like it, it is pretty difficult to go back again.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. tidalscribe
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 11:09:01

    All parents have done so well and no one else can advise as none of us have ever been in that situation. Only the poor parents in any refugee camps around the world have that experience of children not in school, confined. At least most of us have all the comforts of civilisation, but I think we should all imagine how our parents would have coped .. nooo or how those of us with grown up children would have managed when they were young with a lockdown- no coffee mornings with friends when they were at school!

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. charlypriest
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 10:55:53

    Spidey!!! Stay strong don´t let Mrs. Ritu manipulate you….. that came out a bit weird.
    What I do understand is that with all this happening the abnormal has become normal, and there are political ramifications that certain leaders will take advantage for them to stay in power and the rest of the population, down the toilet basically. In Spain, we are already down the toilet, don´t know about the U.K but I do believe that even if the Government of China did make this a WW3, ( I did my research and all the valid sources say it long story so not to bore you, but if you want the sources I have them written down) so WWIII, we as humans do survive, it is quite amazing how we humans can rapidly adapt to survive, and those who don´t, sorry then out you go to the pasture.
    Yo Spidey, was looking up for today and even had to ask Mrs. Ritu to keep me in contact with you…. let´s boycot her!!!
    Have a great Sunday Ritu.

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. jenanita01
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 10:22:19

    As vulnerable oldies, nothing much will change for us, although seeing the family would be wonderful as I really need some hugs right now!

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. April Munday
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 09:59:29

    We’re shielding, so nothing really changes for us. I hope all goes well when you’re back in front of your class.

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Darlene
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 08:24:13

    This transition period is tough. Stay safe my dear and do what you have to do. xo

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. TanGental
    Jun 14, 2020 @ 08:13:27

    I’m pushing myself out more. Simple stuff. More basic shopping seeing friends albeit unhugged and at a distance. I feel fit and frisky. But like you describe so well, I’m still watchful

    Liked by 1 person

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