What will you do differently when this is over ?

[blackberrysoup]

I'm using the time to find small independent suppliers so I can move my custom away from big supermarkets, we'd started this anyway but are ramping up efforts now.

Buy a freezer and make sure the ladder is well stocked at all times. I have been a week to week shopper because i cant stand clutter.

Seriously considering home schooling

Go for long walks in nature. I will never take a walk outside for granted.

Travel more.

Social distance more. I like it.

Not take anything for granted... hug my family and friends extra!

Go and see my mum more.

More walks in nature.

There are others, but they're the main two.

Not stress my kids with constant parties, playdates, activities, classes etc. They seem more relaxed and happy just playing and chilling at home..

I kind of suspected this but easy to get drawn in to social stuff to be polite etc. and there's just so much of it.

Probably travel less
Be less materialistic - all the stuff in my house now seems totally irrelevant and unimportant
Like @Queenparsnip be less preoccupied with playdates, extracurricular activities etc - my kids have LOVED just playing at home
Think more about financial planning/our financial security
Be a little more grateful for everything

Slow right down - drop some of the kids activities.

Consider re-training into teaching.

Exercise more.

Try to cook from scratch more - we are eating healthier as I have the time. But the main thing is to slow it down - and stop over scheduling/

Also to book in some self care - for me that’s some counselling.

Make an effort with those that have made an effort with me over this period of time and screw the rest

We now have a milk man, that's staying, love it. Milk in bottles.

I always have an emergency snow box, that's going to become permanent. Flour, sugar etc.

I have started walking (staying near home and we live rurally) and I enjoy it. Also gardening - planted a lot of new shrubs and I think it will improve my quality of life to be outside more. I've talked to more neighbours this week (from at least 3 metres( than I have in the past 3 years)

We had already decided to home school DS from September and am feeling far happier about it now and would consider it for DD too.

I will try and walk every day. It is funny how as soon as something you don't really appreciate is threatened, you really want to do it.

We live abroad and I normally skype DM once a fortnight. I am currently calling her every day and will continue to do so.

@moobar We also have a milkman and I’d like to continue but 88p a pint is a huge increase. It’s made me realise how little supermarkets must pay their milk suppliers as I used to pay £1.50 for 6 pints.

I won't buy as much "stuff" I don't need.

I'll keep the social distancing though. I'm an anti-social bugger!

Avoid a lot of companies I would have previously shopped in, such as sports direct.

I’m also having second thoughts about Amazon. Those free books they put out on audible for kids are rubbish, everything the kids want to hear read is quite expensive. All the box sets on the fire tv have gone up in price. I’m not quite sure how they are treating their staff but will be looking into it.

Keep more food in the house for emergencies.

I always wanted to home school my kids but have never been financially stable. Now I've had the chance to, no fucking way! I've loved it, but realise that I could never provide the education that an actual teacher does. DD keeps referring to learning techniques, or procedures that she follows in class and I could never replicate that. She's only in reception!

Also, I will start a savings pot, stock up (slowly) on food essentials for the next lockdown and stop spending so much money on 'organised' outings like farms, zoos, soft play, etc. A walk in the forest is just as nice.

I've also acquired a milkman. Had been considering signing up to one just before Xmas and the current situation prompted me.

It's lovely receiving milk in glass bottles; yes, it's dearer but worth the extra expense imo. I already use local suppliers where possible, so will continue to do so when we get out of this episode.

Not stress my kids with constant parties, playdates, activities, classes etc. They seem more relaxed and happy just playing and chilling at home..

Exactly this.

Mine are so much more chilled without the constant pressure of having to be social butterflies and doing 'stuff'. They're making more decisions themselves and keeping in touch with who they want to - online and phone calls only, obviously. Everything seems clearer since we got off the hamster wheel.

Buy locally, keep cupboards well stocked, finish those jobs that I should have done before.

Stop procrastinating. Stop being scared of everything - the things I worried about pale into insignificance now.

Yes to supporting local suppliers and also the places that have supported their staff during this.
Yes also to having a bit of a Facebook 'cull' as you definitely find out who your friends are (not many people have messaged me to check if I'm alright)

I was just saying to DH, it's made me realise our shopping habits could be tidied up and a lot of the things we spend money on could be saved. Things like getting two meals from a pack of meat and cutting portion sizes down, cutting snacks out etc.

We are not spenders really, we have good savings and are very careful with money and this has made us so grateful for that. This is the rainy day we've been told about, and so many of our friends are now struggling despite having a good income because they have lived to their means for so long with nothing put aside. I'm not talking about people who can't afford to save; this is people who have chosen lifestyle over savings.

Conversely, it's made me realise how little we do outside of the home- we haven't had to cancel any clubs or classes except my one exercise class. It's made me think that maybe we should be more sociable and do maybe one extracurricular activity with the children.

We looked last night at second hand campervans and talked about maybe getting one and just going off wandering with the dc for weekends at the seaside...when all this is over, obviously!

Agree with using local, smaller shops. They have kept my cupboards stocked through this and I don't want to abandon them and go back to the supermarkets.

Learn to drive.

I will never waste food again, or take it for granted.

But less stuff. I’m equally fine without it.

I want to start supporting local businesses more buy more from green grocers instead of large supermarkets buy from local butchers instead of large supermarkets helping our own farmers.

Avoid the businesses that have shown how truly dreadful they are and have been to its staff ie sports direct etc

I’m also noticing the cobwebs, dusty skirting boards, grubby walls a lot more now that I’m in the house all week, so I will hopefully come out a lot more house proud by the end of it (it hasn’t happened yet, but I’m hoping...)

Buy all my vegetables from the local green grocer.
See more of my family.

I actually enjoy working from home and isolating hasn’t bothered me. But I have started following at home exercise classes and I will continue that. I’m also eating better and will continue that and I’m spending more time in my garden. And I’m video calling friends and family weekly which has been lovely as I don’t live nearby.
I’ve also started writing letters to my nephews and nieces to help with their English at home and it’s been lovely way to stay in touch In addition to FaceTime