Anyone else really missing spending time with friends?

[OhDear2200]

In ‘normal’ times I don’t go ‘out out’ that often, maybe once a year! But what I do a lot of is going round to friends or having friends to ours. In the day for a cuppa in the evenings drinks and nibbles. Nothing high brow, just nattering with maybe a little gossip.

I am now deeply missing this. I miss my friends, I miss sharing a bottle of wine, making meals for the people I love.

I don’t want anything big, but goodness I’m sick of spending every weekend with just my (very lovely) family.

Anyone else really, really missing their friends?

I’ve really been feeling it this week, I miss my friends a lot. I just want to spend time with them, chatting, having a few drinks and relaxing

Oh I so hear you!
I am lucky that DS2 came home from uni in the 'travel window' so has been here. He does make me laugh - genuine belly laughs too but I miss the long lazy lunches with my friends or with DD that can last 6 hours . Your comment about the cheese platter made me cry! Yes! Yes! That is what I miss. Just BEING together

I don't have any so no

I dont. I'm an introvert and I find socialising exhausting but I've always pushed myself to do it. I feel like I can finally relax and just enjoy being at home with my immediate family with no pressures to see everyone else. Its bliss and I'm slightly apprehensive about everyone wanting to catch up when all this is over.

I do enjoy having people in my life but a phone call or a walk with one friend at a time suits me just fine. I actually hate having people over to visit.

@DDIJ

I'm the opposite. I didn't do any of that before lockdown. Can't imagine what it would be like having people over for drinks. I regularly go months without speaking to anyone (apart from my mother but that is just so she can check I'm not out).

Since lockdown everything is lifted and I feel just the same as anyone else.

I felt like that in the first lockdown but not in this one.

This time I feel so lonely but two of the DCs left home after the first lockdown and DC3 has made their bedroom into a good study space because our lounge is too small so I never see them and spend all evening on my own.

Honestly not really! I do have a good group of friends but I'm not that bothered this lockdown. I think I do tend to hibernate a bit in the winter anyway so not seeing them for a couple of months isn't that unusual. My teens miss their friends though which is what I worry about - i hope school can be made safe soon!

big socialisation aka going to pubs etc doesn't bother me, but the little "shall I pop round" moments being taken away is really tough on top of all the other lockdown impacts

This is exactly it, no spontaneity. I have a perfectly nice family life but miss my female friends enormously.

In between the two lockdowns, we had an monthly, local, outdoor, rule of 6 book club and gossip session and I used to come home absolutely invigorated.

I have many things to be grateful for but everything just feels a bit grey right now. And I am usually such an upbeat person. It all feels like a lot of effort.

You're allowed to meet one person outside for exercise so I have been seeing a couple of friends for walks.

By "a couple" I don't mean at the same time.

Yes, I am missing friends, and also I have a really lovely workplace with loads of colleagues/friends who I saw in the working day - and before Christmas we were told we won't be going back to the office.

I'm a very quiet person and 'fancy a walk at lunch' was really important to me.

I've been WFH and I've also been told not to expect to ever return to the office. I miss lunch breaks, sitting chatting about everything in the world.
My friends are geographically dispersed, we had one group meet up over the summer. Zoom is a bit unsatisfactory.
I went for a walk with a friend and it snowed. We kept walking instead of going for a coffee somewhere inside!
I've made everything as normal as possible for the children but I'm getting lonely now. I want to feed people then the kids go off and play while I talk to the adults.

I've made everything as normal as possible for the children but I'm getting lonely now.

Yes, me too. I am lonely. It's not an easy word to use, and I feel bad moaning because I have my family.

for all

I cannot visit my mum at present. I am not missing her because we speak on the phone or via Zoom calls and thankfully many of her interests are taking place virtually. What I miss are the people I meet when I visit her, many of whom I have known since childhood.

@peak2021

I cannot visit my mum at present. I am not missing her because we speak on the phone or via Zoom calls and thankfully many of her interests are taking place virtually. What I miss are the people I meet when I visit her, many of whom I have known since childhood.

I do care visits for my mum and interestingly I am in the same position re her neighbours.

I'm very fond of three of her neighbours but there's no going in for a cuppa. Plus you can see everyone is really down even when you just say hello from a distance.

I live alone and no one to bubble with as all family and friends are bubbling with their own families. Understandable of course, but I do get moments of feeling like no one wants me.
I chat on the phone to family and friends but it is not the same as meeting in person.
This latest lockdown I have been feeling pretty positive, yesterday it was my son's birthday and he is working in Spain. I felt a bit low with him being so far away although I know it is right he should be living his own life. At times it just drives home how alone I actually am apart from my 2 cats

@crimsonlake sorry about your situation. I’m sure you’re not alone but the current situation certainly can make you feel that way.

It’s interesting reading those people who feel freed from having to socialise and to just be at home.