On discovering we were once again in a COVID-19 lockdown this January we were not surprised. After all allowing mixing to occur in December in the middle of a Pandemic was always going to cause the numbers to rise.
So with my nail and beauty business shut I have managed to pick up a few hours caring for some older ladies who need personal care and some hours cleaning in a local nursery as they have remained open.
Without picking up this work I have no doubt this would have crippled us further as a family as living in debt is something that now is the norm for us. I have to admit its a bitter pill to swallow and it plays havoc with my anxiety as we have never lived in debt like this before.
With my stress levels on a general high alert. We have tried to make time for a family weekly walk in our very local area. No car driving just leg power.
Living in a village in Nottinghamshire we are so lucky to be surrounded by green areas and woodlands so we have no excuse not to get out and about in our local area.
Our first trip out this January was much needed. My anxiety was through the roof and with flashes of the ever persistent PTSD that I developed over a decade ago just on the peripheral edge of things I needed the fresh air and space that only walking outside can give, which helps with my ongoing mental health.
Before our village walk there had been several very rainy days so we donned out wellies and walking boots to head out and I am thankful we did.
The mud around the public footpaths was quite dense and with some super deep mud patches the boys were super excited to get stuck in .. Literally.
We passed so many other villagers on our walk and it was obviously great to see other faces even given the fact we were all giving each other a wide birth.
What was even nicer to see was that so many by walking around the village edge must be listening in part to the lockdown rules and not traveling unless essential. Something my head and heart needed to see after watching the breaking of their regulations and Christmas regulations on social media.
Who knows how many more weeks if not months it will take to get through this pandemic but as with my previous post about what positives 2020 gave me I am still trying to remain positive in 2021 and thank my lucky stars we live somewhere with amazing green spaces all within walking distance and that we are all so far safe and well.
To keep the kids entertained on family walks we are not always so lucky they want to get out for a walk so finding ways to keep them engaged can be super helpful. If you need to keep the activities coming during walks then here is a post with 25 Things To Do On A Walk With Kids.
The next family trip will be down to the river …
Looks like you guys are having a great time out on your walks. We haven’t done as much over the winter months, we did during the summer. Need to get back to it xx