What has 2020 taught you?

[NoEffingWay]

I have learnt to appreciate the small things, to let old grievances go, to love my dp and ds openly and freely, that kindness is invaluable and to be thankful for all I have.

It turns out all I needed I had anyway, but didn't realise.

[Tangledtresses]

That despite my actual family are atrocious bunch of selfish buggers

I have managed to bring up two lovely sons who mean the world to me

I have attracted a lot of friends much like my family selfish, take advantage and not not out for them selves

This will change in 2021

[bwfcchick88]

That I spend too much time trying to please everyone else.

[PicsInRed]

OP, 2020 as a teacher is exactly why we have DBS checks.

[ScarletZebra]

That I want my life back

[trevthecat]

That our little family is amazing. My kids are great. It hasn't been easy but we're all closer and stronger for it

[KnowingMeKnowingYule]

@Smallgoon a phone number and some well-being exercise classes. Still I'm lucky to have lovely staff around me😊 Thank you

[Smallgoon]

@KnowingMeKnowingYule Gosh, for what's it worth, I have never slated a teacher during this pandemic. For me that would be akin to slating nurses/medics. That said, i'm not a parent myself. I'm sorry you've been able to your DC, and I can understand why this year has left you feeling the way you do.

Your post is a damning indictment on this government, and previous govts before them. The worst thing about this year, truly, is how unprepared most of the privileged countries were, but also how incapable they have been in handling a pandemic even when it was under way. Even now, I'm not sure anyone can watch Boris blubbering nonsense and not feel utter shame.

Is there any support out there for you? The school you teach at?

[trappedsincesundaymorn]

[quote userxx]@trappedsincesundaymorn Jesus, well done for still standing, I hope 2021 brings you happiness.[/quote]
Thank you. Fingers crossed for a calmer 2021.

[Heartlantern2]

That I don’t need to be busy all the time.
Discovered I’m a person who needs plans in place.
I don’t do as much with the kids like I once did.
If you are rich your above most problems/pandemics
I want a house in the country

[Vintagevixen]

That I really am pretty capable.

Managed to get through final throws of separation with my abusive ex after it being dragged out for 3 years (a whole other thread!), sell the house in the teeth of fierce opposition from my arsehole ex, move right at the peak of a pandemic, feed DD when I didn't have a fridge for weeks and keep us clean with no washing machine either, give DD a semblance of homeschooling.

Also managed to plumb in my own washing machine because that was when no workmen could come into your home, and deal with a roof leak.

All without any practical support from friends and relatives as obviously they couldn't !

Throw in managed not to get Covid despite being in contact with seventy billion people during my move, plus throw in the bank shifts I have done on ITU when able.

So I'm kind of thinking I'm quite resourceful after this year!!

Have also learnt people are no good at looking at stats and actual scientific studies. and keeping things in proportion...

[KnowingMeKnowingYule]

@Smallgoon I went into teaching as I love my subject, had wonderful teachers at school who instilled a passion and love of the subject. I wanted to do the same and have had many many years doing just that.

Slowly but steadily all the good things about teaching have been chipped away with new initiatives and pseudo pedagogy and data obsession. I can cope with that just about.

Then, along came the pandemic. The teaching profession has become slated left, right and centre. I love teaching and part of teaching is throwing yourself into it. I have, over the years, put other people's kids' needs above my own doing various extra curricular activities, week long trips etc which meant I had to find childcare for my disabled DC alongside my NT DC but I did it.

This year we are have been lambasted by everyone. I can't help but feel bitter about the years of giving to other people. I did live lessons in lockdown 1. I'm risking my health as is DH going into school and I'm scared. I lost a lot of weight on purpose at the beginning of this as I was morbidly obese and knew the political narrative was about getting all kids back in full time and that we as school staff would be exposed to greater risks by lack of proper mitigations (no masks in classrooms etc). My DC lives in a care home now, I haven't seen him for months throughout the year. Normally we see him twice a week. Throughout lockdown 2 I went into school to teach other people's kids for weeks and wasn't able to see my own. It has broken me.

[PaddyF0dder]

The importance of exercise in mental health. And the pointless of excuses for not doing exercise and getting healthy.

[DinosApple]

That I miss actual shops and speaking to people who work in them.

Online is ok, but shite for clothes shopping. Since most of my 2020 purchase have been lounge wear, this hasn't mattered.

[User56770987]

That I enjoy my own company and lack of social occasions I normally feel obliged to go to. (I understand it's more difficult if you are living alone or working fully from home)

[MarshaBradyo]

That living through what feels like history in the making is very intense and also not intense

That sometimes I feel suppressed, others I notice the good small things more

Mostly I just can’t wait to get through it and live a full life again

And I love and appreciate the scientists who are saving our bacon

[Smallgoon]

@KnowingMeKnowingYule

That I chose the wrong career (secondary school teacher 25 years in).

This is really sad. Can I ask why you feel this way?

[Thelnebriati]

That I'm a lot more resilient than I thought I was.

That you can't predict who will fall down the You Tube conspiracy rabbit hole.

[IceCreamAndCandyfloss]

To keep enough food and household items in at all times
To be grateful of our health and home
Not to take small pleasures in life for granted
That far too many people are selfish and risk others for their own wants
That many don’t seem to care about NHS or school staff

[OutedByHobby]

That years and years of coping with poor mental health, poor physical health and PTSD-related agoraphobia are fantastic training for a pandemic. I’m holding remarkably steady.

That I need different friends in my life, and to spend more time with the really good ones.

That when you’re wearing a mask, you really need to step up with the mascara and eyeliner or your facial expressions disappear.

[AyrshireAmbler49]

I’m not really holding any resentment towards people not staying in touch, friends etc. I know we’ll all slip back into our friendships next year as if none of this happened. But this won’t happen if people are holding a grudge.
I think we’re all just hunkering down and trying to keep going.

[BearSoFair]

That DS1 (18) is really growing into a lovely considerate man. I knew he was a good kid but seeing how he's acted throughout this year, helping home school DD and DS2 because he wanted to, not because we asked, dropping food to shielding neighbours, no more than minor grumbling when he couldn't see his girlfriend for months earlier in the year...it's made me so proud of him. Tried to tell him to his face but still got the usual embarrassed teenage 'oh God don't Mum' response

[Tearsfortiers]

That I have a "small" life. Can't think of any other way to describe it. My life has not really changed at all other than doing my grocery shop online. The only thing missing is not seeing my mum and dad. I work in a school so since schools have been back I've been in full time.

[Meruem]

That actually “things” are sometimes more important than people! Dependant on the thing and the person of course.

None of my “friends” have really bothered to keep in touch this year. But my home is full of things which bring me happiness, which is a good job given I’ve spent nearly the whole year indoors!

But I am very close with my adult DC who have been here all the way through (and we haven’t had one cross word between us!) and my DSis and I’ve realised that’s enough people in my life.

I’ve also realised I am very lucky to have stable employment and a secure roof over my head. I know this Christmas is going to be very shit for a lot of people.

[cushioncovers]

That my circle was already small. I've continued to go to work and go home and haven't noticed a huge difference in lifestyle other than not meeting up with a couple of friends every 6 weeks for coffee.

[PhilCornwall1]

That people's first instinct is to be kind

I've found the exact opposite.