Lockdown ending - feeling depressed

[knickerthief1]

Is anyone else finding it hard to adjust to the idea of returning to a more normal life or AIBU? I feel like maybe I'm losing the plot! I've always had a good social life and an active life in general. I really thought I would struggle badly with my mental health during the lockdown but I've found I've adapted to it very well and have hardly left the house in the last 10 weeks. Now things are changing I can feel my mood plummeting. I've been working from home for the duration.

[EndlessUserName]

Same. For me I think it's because I hate change. I found it incredibly difficult to adjust to lockdown, now I'm used to it, and finding the idea of normality very anxiety inducing, especially as we still don't know what's going to happen

[Disabrie22]

You are not alone - I think it will be a very gentle climb up for me - my husband will struggle too I think.

[knickerthief1]

I've never thought of myself as having difficulty with change or with being social, but I have a lot of stomach problems and these have eased a lot during lockdown and only seem to flare when I'm social on the phone etc. My daughter is autistic and all this is making me question whether I've spent a lifetime masking issues! But heavy I know but I'm overthinking a lot at the moment...

[malificent7]

Well there is no rule saying you have to go and socialise straight away....ive enjoyed my space and will try and keep it as much as possible.

[funnylittlefloozie]

I'm really dreading lockdown ending. My DP moved in for the duration, with the understanding that he'd go back to his own house once lockdown was lifted. I've loved having him here, our relationship has grown stronger than ever, and i will miss him so much when he goes.

For context, we are both frontline workers, so we have not exactly been at home in each others' pockets.

[vanillandhoney]

Yes, I think it's totally normal to feel hesitant.

Just take your time - there's no rush

[Jojobythesea]

I feel the same. Haven't really been anywhere. Been working from home as have my two DS's. Husband has gone back to work now and I think I'll be wfh for the foreseeable. I'm glad I can wfh but I don't like it and I only started this new role in January so not really up to speed either! Have felt utterly miserable some days, so tired and unmotivated. Went full time in Jan too for the first time since first DS fifteen years ago so it just seems endless.

[OlivejuiceU2]

I am weirdly feeling very low today and starting to wonder if it is because lockdown is easing. I’m 33 weeks pregnant so won’t be risking socialising but hearing that other people are heading back to a somewhat normal life is freaking me out.

[ComDummings]

Yes I feel very anxious. It doesn’t help that I know someone who died from Covid (no health conditions and very young which I know is apparently ‘rare’). The thought of being around people again freaks me out, I’ve been in a bubble with my DH and our children. I also have one of the conditions that puts me in the ‘vulnerable’ category, even though I’m fairly young. The thought of socialising fills me with dread.

[picklemewalnuts]

I feel similarly, OP. I think the outside world is over stimulating, set up for extroverts. Thinner skinned people are used to getting by, but perhaps juggling symptoms like tiredness headaches and belly aches.

The world has incrementally got noisier and busier. It's hard to get away from.

[CrazyTimesAreOccurring]

I could have written your post. Cant explain why, but just hate the thought of going back to normal. Though I realise we are no way near that yet.
I am an introvert, I knew that but have realised even more so in lockdown. I love my family and friends, but whatsapping and the odd quiz have been enough to keep me happy!

[SpeedofaSloth]

I am an introvert who is quite good as disguising it on the whole, and I have enjoyed spending my free time at home. I have some trepidation about getting back to the normal routine of kids activities but we have a while longer yet before sports etc. starts up.
I am gutted that DS' school have pushed his return back to mid June, I struggle to reconcile the news stories of beaches, parks etc. alongside this, today.

[isabellerossignol]

I feel the same. I've become used to being at home and have found it a relief in some ways, no pressure to go out.

[recycledteenager24]

good to know i'm not the only, apart from dh that is. almost feels surreal.

[Samtsirch]

I think a lot of people will feel the same, we have all hunkered down in our safe little bubbles and it’s scary to think of having to go back out there again.
It’s like that awful Sunday night dread I used to get as a child before school on Monday.But once I got there everything was fine 😊

[Picklesprout]

I'm back at work tomorrow and am dreading it, I love my job, but I've also really felt "safe" at home and I'm worried about leaving it.. I cried so much when lockdown was announced and now think I will miss it

[AdaStarkadder]

Me too! I'm usually rushing about like an idiot and l've actually enjoyed not being allowed to go anywhere ...

[Silvercatowner]

After years and years of high blood pressure, my BP has come down since we've been locked down. I reckon it is not commuting and not being in the work routine (I'm wfh).

[knickerthief1]

Good to know others feel the same. I mentioned it to a work friend and she laughed as if I was being stupid. Before this I lived for holidays - almost like an obsession - holidays booked two years in advance etc. Right now I have no desire to go anywhere and have happily cancelled Uk holidays that I may yet be 'allowed' to go on. It's just so unlike me - it's a bit like this has triggered a midlife crisis and a full re-evaluation of my life!

[FloralStreet]

Having talked to friends who've had similar feelings, one of my friends is the most extroverted social person going so you think she would be chomping at the bit to get back to normal but she's actually feeling a bit apprehensive & a bit down about getting back to this new normal.
It's not the usual normal &
I think people are having are delayed shock reaction to what we've all been through.
The whole Covid -19 situation is surreal & it feels like we've all been actors in a blockbuster disaster movie.
This time last year if anyone had even mused out loud that we'd have a killer virus on the rampage & we'd have to isolate to save lives, well most of us would have said 'that's never gonna happen' or 'that's a great idea for a movie' or 'don't be ridiculous.'
I think we're starting to realise what we've been through & what we are going through & we're all a bit shell shocked.
So what your feeling Knicker is quite a normal reaction to the abnormal situation we've experienced.

[Itwasntme1]

It’s actually something my work are giving some thought to. People might find it difficult to go back to the office, and not just because of Covid concerns.

I haven’t coped well with lockdown, it has made me realise that I manage anxiety by subtly getting reassurances from colleagues and my boss. I can easily stop that feeling of panic with a quick chat. That hasn’t been as available under lockdown. But I shouldn’t need it, and I think I need to establish better coping mechanisms.

[Janleverton]

I’m struggling. I think partly because I like to plan, but what this has shown me is that all the plans I might make, or ideas of how things will happen, can be overturned. Don’t know how to explain it, just that the loss of old life was scary, then thrilling, and now we’re going back to normal BUT I fear that the new normal will be less certain, less familiar and diminished compared with life before.

Feel like can’t make plans, fearful for the children’s education, exams, economy. And while have been cocooned at home have been sort of insulated against the reality of the above.

[mistermagpie]

I'm exactly the same. My DH is a total extrovert and loves being busy, as soon as the lockdown eased a bit he was like 'right, who shall we go and garden visit at the weekend?' and internally I just went 'woahhh'...

It's not that I'm scared of catching Covid, I think it's that I've actually quite enjoyed being a bit reclusive and not having to see people, or make anxiety-inducing excuses not to see people.

I have three children under 5 too, so our lives are constant and a bit relentless as it is. Being able to step back from the pressures of 'doing things' as well has actually been nice.

[FurloughedFedUp]

I’m struggling. I think partly because I like to plan, but what this has shown me is that all the plans I might make, or ideas of how things will happen, can be overturned. Don’t know how to explain it, just that the loss of old life was scary, then thrilling, and now we’re going back to normal BUT I fear that the new normal will be less certain, less familiar and diminished compared with life before.

Feel like can’t make plans, fearful for the children’s education, exams, economy. And while have been cocooned at home have been sort of insulated against the reality of the above.

I can relate to this completely. I always had everything planned - work, activities, holidays, seeing friends/families and that's gone out of the window. I've been really up and down during lockdown - I can see some real positives in living a more simple lifestyle with less 'stuff' and cutting down on all of the running about we used to do. On the other hand I am very anxious about how the next 12-18 months will play out and I hate feeling as if so much is now out of my control.

[Lynda07]

Lockdown is easing, not completely lifting . You'll have time to adjust.