To think that life just hasn’t been the same ever since covid

I'd say, apart from the inability to get a GP appointment, life is for me, and my family exactly as it was pretty covid

I had an easy Covid and am personally happier now. But I do find people flakier.

I felt much worse directly after Brexit. I think things have got worse since then. No Brexit would have meant no Boris or Liz for PM, hopefully no Farage MP.

I'm happier. Could be largely related to DS as pre COVID he was a toddler and hard work, I had massive mum guilt (and DH, dad guilt) about us both working so much with long(ish) commutes every day and missing out on so much time with him.
Now he's 8 and I work shorter hours (new role) while DH does 2-3 days from home where he can drop off and pick up DS, way less traffic so a much quicker commute and generally more time for all of us together.

Lockdown was an amazing opportunity for us to spend significant time together and make huge efforts with the extended family which has continued on.

Yes everything is more expensive which is shit but tbh, I'm just living life in the meantime until the next thing.

I agree with you to some extent OP. I feel almost back to normal and I was on the shielded list.

I feel after lockdown restaurant service is now very much worse than pre lockdown. Portions are smaller, much more expensive, staff are often rude, disinterested and it often feels like service is too quick and food is practically thrown at you.

Many businesses and services still remain closed on a Monday and Tuesday as a hangover from covid.

During lockdown I worked PT went out for walks and I was extra nice and friendly to everyone I met when out for a walk. I spoke to everyone even to say hello or comment on the weather from a safe distance (aware some people might live alone and some struggling and less fortunate than me). Now we are back to normal with people looking miserable self absorbed with heads down, ignoring you if you say hello or good morning.

As another hang over from covid I still don’t like people standing too close to me. I will take an extra wide walk around anyone with a tissue, sneezing or I am more than happy for anyone to cancel if they mention feeling even slightly off colour (as thought of getting really ill and possibly ending up in an over stretched, dirty hospital is an unwelcome one).

DH started a new job at the end of February 2020 and that meant us moving to a new town. We had to move house and we have few neighbours so I have really struggled to feel part of my new community.

People annoy me more and I have much less patience for any crap now. I can no longer be bothered to make much effort. But this might just be getting older 🤷

This. And missing people who are no longer with us 💔

Have you looked for social groups on Facebook or meet up? I run local groups on Facebook and there's meet ups every week. Obviously walking groups etc too. Or join a group/team if you're up to it?

I know what you mean. But I wonder if it’s co-incidence that what we see as “after Covid” is just the whole world falling apart with wars, the rise of fascism (again), and everything generally falling apart!

Life isn’t the same. I’ve lost most of my social life because nobody does anything anymore.

I think a lot of the change is down to the reduced economic outlook. Covid basically came along at the same time as the real hit from Brexit. We haven't recovered economically and there is no sign we're going to. That lack of economic optimism makes everything gloomier which, in turn, makes people less generous to each other, shorter tempered, more demanding, etc. And the massive hit to public services means there are less resources to deal with all the problems.

If we had some prosperity and economic optimism we'd see a change for the better in how people interact socially.

My life would have changed anyway - as a PP said, child is now 6 and not 1 - but I do feel a bit worried about the future. If something happened like another pandemic, a massive cyber attack or a war we were involved in, the chances of anyone listening to the government (whatever political party) are slim to none.

My life is completely different because I had my first baby during COVID, but I'm just as happy (happier, actually but that has more to do with my children than anything!).

If anything, I appreciate nice things like time with friends and family and events more now.

Surely, it’s the cost of everything which is the issue. I mean, costs are about 50% more than they were, I think. If everything cost what it did before the cost of living crisis, I would be much further ahead with things I need to do.

How awful. Is that from having covid? That must be so frustrating.

On a personal basis life changed hugely and left an enormous scar but life in general seems to have returned to normal (whatever that may be).

Yes. Why wouldn't I?

Life - for me - is exactly the same as it was before Covid. Didn't take it too seriously and just went straight back to normal as soon as stuff reopened.

I don’t think people socialise and entertain as they
much as they did pre Covid.

To me it's actually brexit thar was the turning point. Such division, it hasn't really healed. Covid gave a different focus for a while, and then became its own source of division, wgich probably exacerbated, what was already there but I don't feel like it was a watershed in the public mood really, though I recognise the shift from say 10 years ago.

We've been discussing this a lot in the office. Definitely a lack of respect, social manners and general courtesy. A lit of oeople are quick to blame, demanding and frankly entitled.

Dealing with large organisations has become impossible. No one wants to take responsibility and there is little customer service.

Definitely a lack of joy.

I think a lot of people were surprised to have found lockdown a relief. I wasn't furloughed - still went to work every day - but the social pressure was off. The Easter of 2020 was glorious weather and apart from work, there was nothing we had to do except go for a one hour walk each day.

Now we are back to rushing from appointment to appointment, along with massive increases in the cost of living, and life not looking so rosy for our young people in terms of jobs/affordability of higher education/housing/car insurance prices(!) in the future, or for us in our old age. No wonder we're all a bit down.

Oh, and it's still only February ffs.

I've felt slightly bored and unmotivated since covid. Tired all the time.

Like there's something missing as well. Can't quite put my finger on it.

Mind you - my life has thrown many curve balls in the last 5 years so it could be that.

I agree, in some ways that are hard to put your finger on.

One big thing for me is the way people's interest in the climate has absolutely disappeared in contrast to all of the protests and things around 2019. Like people are now much more fatalistic, and willing to just wait for things to gradually become unbearable.

I think people are seeing the pre-covid days with rose tinted glasses. It felt shit then to be me and now does aswell really, ray of sunshine that I am 😂