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Original poster

Is anyone surprised that they actually feel calmer?

59 replies

Thedogshow · 01/04/2020 16:12

Obviously I have several big worries due to the current situation, but overall I feel calmer and less stressed. Work is quiet (working from home), kids are settling into the routine of being at home, I’m getting a big run in every morning so feel relaxed and well exercised, and most of all I just feel better for not rushing around. It is quiet- no planes overhead, no traffic noise.
I don’t want this to be insensitive, I do realise that for lots of people this situation means massive financial hardship and that lots of people are also having to be at work outside the home.
But it does make me realise that modern life is very noisy and stressful, and very anxiety inducing. And also that most situations have good bits as well as bad bits if you look for them.

OP posts:

Iw24wImI · 01/04/2020 16:21

I agree. I feel able to think through the small problems that you know are in the back of your mind but you never get a chance to address.

It's lovely to be able to read books to my kid whilst snuggling on the sofa and just kiss the top of their heads.

Of course I find the whole thing terrifying and feel sadness for all the victims and those suffering. But yes, I have to find the positives and focus on those, or I'd spiral downwards xx

Itstheprinciple · 02/04/2020 07:47

I agree. It's really making me want to review my life when this is over.

ScrapThatThen · 02/04/2020 07:48

I know what you mean but I I'm numb.

BrooHaHa · 02/04/2020 07:52

I think there's a stark contrast between how this is being experienced by different people. It's given lots of people a chance to decompress and focus on their home lives and relationships, secure in their income and able to get outside in nature, perhaps more than they would do in a standard working week, whereas for those with smaller homes, financial insecurity, less outside space or those who live alone, it's a very unenviable position to be in.

Knocksomesense · 02/04/2020 07:53

I think when in isolation it's easy to compartmentalise. We are facing severe financial uncertainty now but the truth is, I'm just living.

Simply being. It's in some ways liberating. Life is slower. My two preschoolers live in the moment and I am now forced to.

In some ways it's hard to imagine the horrors that people will face and what the future is going to hold. Therefore my mind draws a blank. I am desperately worried about my friend who is a nurse though.

Onceuponatimethen · 02/04/2020 07:56

Yes I get you op. I realise I’m very privileged to have a home, garden, enough to eat and income.

I have realised how much entering the office and school actually cause me anxiety. My fault no doubt!!

SuperMeerkat · 02/04/2020 08:02

I know what you mean. Financially, we’re actually better off as we’ve NHS and MOD so working from home on full pay. Now we have no commuting costs, no 2 x drives a month to pick up DH’s children (upsetting but being factual) nowhere to go so no pub, nights out or takeaways. Will easily save £400 this month as we did last month. Will help that DH got an £8.5k payrise too 😆

LapsedVeganAcademic · 02/04/2020 08:03

Not sure whether I am calm or simply numb, but I am aware that many many people are praying for me, and that is certainly helping.

But yes, I feel like I have it very easy. In the shielded group, so I don't even need to manage the supermarket queues. It gives me more time to read stories and build train tracks with my toddler.

When this is all over, I want to make life simpler.

SuperSange · 02/04/2020 08:17

Yes, I'm feeling calmer. I'm already thinking about what I can do to change my life when this is done.

8by8 · 02/04/2020 08:39

Yes, agreed.

It’s a bit of an eye opener for how stressful and busy our daily lives are.

Cat0115 · 02/04/2020 08:39

Same here. Our usual lives are so rushed. We are V fortunate as both wfh (teacher and M. o. d) for the most part. My brothers live next door to my elderly mum so I know she is cared for, even though I can't see her (as I go to school on a Rota I'm not taking the risk). The children are enjoying not being at school (they are socialising via the x box and netflix parties/zoom). Even the dogs, are thrilled! And.. I'm geting fit... Jo plus couch to 5k starting soon. I'm going to seriously readjust my attitude in Sept.

Tonyaster · 02/04/2020 08:41

Apparently mental health issues drop in pandemics. People have time to evaluate their lives. That's what a doctor told me anyway. I certainly am starting to realise what's important to me.

user1493413286 · 02/04/2020 08:44

I was feeling very overwhelmed with life (new baby and toddler) before this and pretty low but this has forced me to literally take one day at a time and it’s been surprisingly good for my mood. I’m not expecting myself to be out doing things or planning ahead because we can’t.
This has only happened since I stopped looking at the news all the time and obsessively looking at the virus stuff on here; I limit myself to checking it once a day and try to keep to what I need to know and not the things I cannot control.

Tonyaster · 02/04/2020 08:45

This has only happened since I stopped looking at the news all the time and obsessively looking at the virus stuff on here; I limit myself to checking it once a day and try to keep to what I need to know and not the things I cannot control essential! Enjoy your baby!

user1493413286 · 02/04/2020 08:49

We’re also in a very financially uncertain position but it’s not stressing me like it would normally as there is very little we can do and I feel that the utility companies will have to understand as so many people will be in a similar position

OtherVoices · 02/04/2020 10:02

Yes! One day at a time.
Tiny tasks each day - clean the windows, sort out a cupboard, vac downstairs, clean bathroom, plan meals, sort clothes. Only one task per day instead of manic 'keeping on top of things'.
I am working but my 1hr each way commute has gone.
I can't fill my life with stuff from the shops, I have slowed down.

I desperately miss my family though.

Deathraystare · 02/04/2020 11:42

I wasn't too bad (as long as I can get my incontinence pants/pads). I did get antsy when more people got on the bus I got on after work - not a lot but more than the 3-4 that have been getting on.

I was extremely annoyed when in another hospital (not the one I work at) and there was a group of men working in a corridor and just as I was about to go past, one clown decided to turn his head to me and do a big sneeze. I tore him off a strip and he obviously did not know what my problem was!!

Therebythedoor · 02/04/2020 13:14

I think, to some extent, it's a calmer time for me because this is a situation, like many others, that I can't control. So I have to go with the flow. Realised how much of a 'catastrophiser' I am.

TipseyTorvey · 02/04/2020 13:24

Agreed. I am so much calmer getting up at 7am instead of 5.30am. No commute. Very little work. Teaching the children vaguely, gardening, walks. Pace of life is so slow its made me realise I don't want to go back. Children much calmer, eldest is missing his friends but both don't seem terribly bothered.

whyamistillhere · 02/04/2020 13:27

yes I am feeling a little calmer. i have agoraphobia and anxiety so being told i now have to stay home as much as possible definitely takes some of the pressure off.

gingajewel · 02/04/2020 14:00

I was having this discussion with my friend earlier! I work full time with a three year old and nine year old so they do breakfast and after school club! I’m wfh currently and I am loving not having to rush everywhere! Not rushing to get them changed in a morning and rush out to breakfast club at 7.30 not having to rush and get them from after school club at 4.30 and being able to have time and cook earlier, clean as I go rather than just at the weekend and just feeling a million times calmer about life.
I am hating worrying about coronavirus and not seeing my friends and family and not leaving the house but the pace of life is just lovely at the moment!

Kitchendoctor · 02/04/2020 14:09

I’m a bit the same.
I went through a horrendously anxious phase from around late January when this all really started to kick off.
I spent a lot of time and energy trying to convince those around me that we needed to start taking action much earlier - social distancing, no travelling, no big meetings, avoiding public transport etc. .. I think a lot of my anxiety was due to the seriousness of the situation not being realised and around the lack of action being taken.

Now that measures are being taken and preparations have really ramped up I think that’s helped. Since the schools have closed and I’ve started working from home I’ve felt much calmer.

Kitchendoctor · 02/04/2020 14:10

Plus I haven’t cried for about 2 weeks so that says a lot.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/04/2020 14:13

Yes. I'm a bit bored, but substantially calmer than usual. I've been enjoying the chance to walk, to spend time cooking, to take long baths. It's definitely making me want to make some changes when this is over.

Helpmefly94 · 02/04/2020 14:14

I half agree
The slower pace of life, time to re-evaluate and celebrate life and be grateful that we’re so lucky to have a home and a family and health. Saving lots of money, doing jobs that need doing and having time to do them without rushing or worrying about not being able to finish them. It’s made me realise I do need a slower pace of life away from the city rat race.
On the other hand, my anxiety has gotten a bit worse because I have a lot more time to myself and too much time to think

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