Refers to a recent period or that time; often written この頃. It corresponds to 'these days' or 'at that time' depending on context.
このころは仕事が忙しくて、週末も休めなかった。
These days I was busy with work and couldn't rest even on weekends.
この頃、急に寒くなってきたのでコートを出した。
It has suddenly gotten cold recently, so I took out my coat.
子どものころと比べるとこのころの生活はずいぶん変わった。
Compared to my childhood, life these days has changed a lot.