It’s a schlep, that’s for sure.

While we’re all more au fait with lockdown life than we were back when the pandemic began in March, it doesn’t make it any less boring or tedious.

More of us are lonely, tired of keeping the ship afloat. There’s a Groundhog Day feel about the mornings.

And that continuous flow of uncertainty to deal with during the day that bubbles up into health, work and money worries to feed your anxiety at night. Ugh.

Still, life is what you make of it, even during a global emergency, and if this wild ride has taught us anything, it’s that appreciating the little things is key to staying sane.

When we asked our readers to share their ideas on how to stay positive when the world in crisis mode, we were inundated with inspired suggestions.

“Every Friday night we (myself, hubby, and two kids under 8) have a party night.” reader Jenny McKeating told Yay Cork.

“Party food, family movie, dress up etc… it’s something to look forward to at the end of the week.”

Meanwhile, others have taken up more old school pastimes.

“I’m writing letters,” says Emily Stickland. “I’ve written 15 and I have a wax seal kit too!”

Here are some other tricks people are using to stay upbeat during the Level 5 grind:

• “Picking one thing to be positive about each day. As the week goes on you get happier.” – @kingofsoup
• “I created an Instagram page called home_abhaile. I post photos of things that give me joy either in my home or within 5km of it. – Sylvia Kelly
• “Looking up one new fact per day.” – @meadhbho
• “An attitude of gratitude!” – Myr Collins
• “Nighttime cycles with my kids.” – Annie Power
• “Nice new skincare and shampoo, lunchtime walks, putting my phone away at 8pm.” [email protected]_twomey
• “Baths. I just make it so hot so I can melt my anxiety away.” – @Junesfooddiary
• “Sea swimming when I can.” – @Suzbrad
• “Playing with and training my new puppy, now three-months-old.” – @ashlasue
• “Standing up straight and smiling every time I look in the mirror.” – @oaknymph
• “Texting my friend to swap three things we are grateful for each day.” – @corkkitty
• “I take a wee dance break every now and then between work tasks!” – @mushacles
• “Buying fresh flowers every three days.” [email protected]
• “Singing while working from home.” – @bhiggins2
• “Enjoying sunrises, daily walks/runs, takeaway coffee and spring feelings in the air.” – @letsflysomewhere
• “Sunrise yoga in the living room.” – @tove_online