So you are stuck in another lockdown and feeling like it's groundhog day.
And you wonder how did we get here?
After squashing a strong desire to throw something at, well, coronavirus, you stop crying long enough to break out your hidden stash of chocolates, wine and chips.
Then someone sends you a message, a tweet, a Facebook post or a phone call with another platitude: "You will be fine", or worse, "chin up".
You again squash the even stronger desire to throw something at someone — and slump back on your couch, frantically looking for more comfort food.
Well, don't worry. We have got you covered. No, really, we do.
We spoke to psychiatrist and executive director of the youth mental health facility Orygen, Professor Patrick McGorry, and came up with the no-platitudes guide to surviving lockdowns.
There is light at the end of the tunnel
Victoria is currently in its sixth lockdown, and authorities have refused to rule out more, saying they remain key to suppressing outbreaks until vaccination rates lift.
Professor McGorry says there is a cumulative effect of all these lockdowns.
And those platitudes don't really help.
"Well, as a mental health professional, I find those messages very frustrating at times because they are denying the reality of the severe loss of wellbeing and mental health in a very large number of people," Professor McGorry says.
But, he says, we now know there is a pathway out of lockdowns.
"The different thing about the later lockdowns from the early ones is that we do have real hope," Professor McGorry says.
So what's his expert advice?
"I think if people keep a sense of perspective and hope, that'll probably help them to get through this type of lockdown, as opposed to the earlier ones," Professor McGorry says.
But before the sunshine, there is rain
Being positive is all good, but give yourself permission to grieve first.
Professor McGorry says it's OK to vent and not "pull up your socks and have a stiff upper lip".
"Talk to someone you trust … and that might help just to decompress a bit."
Once you have got a bit of self-care under your belt, then it's time to, well, chin up.
Just kidding.
Professor McGorry says it is important to keep perspective about the situation and try to maintain a sense of hope.
He says with the vaccine now available, we are closer to a solution.
But don't forget to look out for your family and friends who may be struggling — including children, who may find it difficult to make sense of it all.
How to ace another weekend in lockdown
Professor McGorry says he was supposed to auction his house this weekend but will try and focus on the positives.
"For me, it's a chance to actually catch up on my writing and reading and things that I don't have time to do normally," he says.
"And then, I suppose, help the other people around me the best I can."
He says one of the problems with the lockdown is that restrictions cut off "multiple sources of wellbeing".
The trick may be to go back to the basics.
"Try to find things that will make you feel good, even on an hour-to-hour or day-to-day basis," he says.
"If you can find those things like board games, or whatever makes you feel better, watching the Olympics — could be anything.
"And trying to maintain your wellbeing even just day-to-day. And then you know … we'll be over [the lockdown] again."
.jpg?w=600)
