A less frantic life?

I keep reading on The Guardian website how life has slowed down and become less frantic for many people. One stated "It's lovely to just be, instead of just doing ...".

And I'm perplexed because, once again, I seem to be going against the flow of everyone else.

The workload has become less frantic, that is true. I am, however, still getting new work every day.

The rest of the time, though, is chock full of activities - to fill in all that extra time: I'm embroidering the fifth cloth shopping bag this month. I've crocheted six 'spectacle cocoons' (as I call them) from scrap bits of wool found in my sewing cupboard. I've done a small cross-stitch picture of a coastal scene, I've crocheted 4 or 5 'reading blankets' (as I call them, large enough to cover one's legs). And I've hand-sewn 5 face masks from two old pillowcases.

I've finished some courses on OpenLearn and am going through another one on geology and ecology - with two more lined up after that. Thursdays have become National Theatre Live evenings - the next one is in 3.5 hours' time. Mustn't miss that.

I've been practising languages a bit. I've finished two books by Trollope and four books in French. And a couple in German. More points have been added to my Neopets account from playing online games. I've sent off cards to and telephoned lots of people so that they know they're not forgotten.

The balcony has new plants - including a cherry tomato plant (I've eaten three already). Walks have been taken, exercises with Emi Wong on YouTube performed, healthy meals cooked.

I tell you... My free time is hectic, which is why I make sure I have my evening courses (sketching, sewing, singing). Even the ones I teach are less hectic than my hobbies as I just focus on one thing for 90 minutes. I do my courses and spend my Saturday mornings in the library just so that I relax and unwind for a while.

This 'lockdown' is tiring, I tell you. Even a 20 km walk with the walking group is less strenuous.