One Year Later... How has your life changed?

[LudoBear]

One year ago today we were put into lockdown. What a year it's been.

How has your life changed? What have you had to put on hold?

I guess I've been quite lucky in that I was on long term sick so haven't had to work throughout. Though it's certainly made my mental health worse.

I went from living on the East side to the West side of Canada. Did the road trip from Halifax NS out to Vancouver Island BC.
Went from a four bedroom house to a two bedroom flat.
Went from working as a nanny/artist to being a liquor store clerk/artist.
Learned a whole new set of tide tables (I am a beachcomber).
Went from living on the mainland to living on an island.

Still the same husband, kids and pets, but everything else has changed. Such is the life of a Navy wife.

Lost my job following being furloughed April till August 20.

Had interviews, no luck as yet.

Mental health taken a big bashing, taking the days one at a time.

So sorry for those of you dealing with grief this past year it must have been doubly hard with all that was going on and unable to be with family
My life hasn’t changed that much on the exterior but it has been made less enjoyable by small changes.
My work changed and I was suddenly without my work family many were made redundant. I had to work outside the home the whole lockdown.
Both my DD’s have suffered mental health issues from the first lockdown which I feel guilt for as I had to carry on working.
I lost my DM 2 years ago and was just starting to feel like we might be getting on a better footing grief wise and with the loss, then this happened so stalling the nice things I had planned that I don’t feel I had been fully present for the previous years if that makes sense.
My DH has been ok but his parents live a couple of hours away so we have only seen them once last summer.
I just feel diminished by it all really. I wish I could have 6 months off now to relax and enjoy some time at home.

Before lockdown i was in job I hated but just had a wonderful first interview where I scored almost perfect full marks and feeling very positive.
Lockdown meant working from home which was a welcome relief and my life was transformed; much more time with my children.
I was diagnosed with a chronic illness (also made much easier by working from home) and steroids/inability to exercise (I participated in a sport) means I have put on about 20 pounds.
My (ex) partner acting like a complete dickwad saw me developing anxiety. I've left, having to leave a great amount of our belongings behind. My chronic illness, anxiety and issues meant I had to leave my job to regroup and look after myself. Luckily I managed to save money working from home.
So I have had a shit year. Not sure if it all can be blamed on lockdown/covid although it probably accelerated matters
I'm currently trying to decide where I go from here. My confidence has been shot- i can still hear all the things I was called. But we have peace now.
for those who need them too.

Oh and that first interview led to a second where I didn't get the job. That knocked me too.

I've been working in A&E and so has DH. It has left us financially worse off because of all the changes to transport. My youngest DD has spent most of the year terrified that one of us will die and has become OCD about handwashing. I'm mentally and physically exhausted from the strain at work and will never forget. My gran passed away from.covid and at the momenty mood swings in any direction. I haven't seen my family in a year because we didn't dare, even with the ease in restrictions at times. I feel lonely and sad most of the time and over react at the smallest thing.

Mine hasn't changed much apart from my social life being on zoom/whatsapp and a lot of hobbies going on hold. I have had a couple of short spells of working from home but it isn't possible long term in my job or DH's (fortunately as we both hate it).

Life is just quieter for me.
Still working. That has changed with more paperwork and regulations to follow but ok.
I'm missing my busy social life but I have enjoyed not having FOMO. I used to overbook my social calendar and get exhausted so it is nice just going out cycling or walking in the day and having quiet evenings with the family.
The big plus is the huge amount of money I have saved. We usually go away on a uk city break twice a month, we ate out a lot. I love my concerts and go to everything from free local ones ( where you are still paying quite a bit in drinks) to around 85 quid a ticket. (then x by two for both of us to go!)

I'm missing my beauty treatments but embracing tatty hair ( for now!!)
I've worked out I've saved over £500 with missed treatments on hair alone since last July.

I am desperately missing having friends round. I like putting on food and drinks and having my girlfriends round. The house seems so quiet without those nights!

DH had to close his business last summer. However he got a really decent job soon after so all's good there.

I feel so sad for my friends and others that are really struggling. So many people have had a terrible time and it's through no fault of their's.
It's been a deadful time for many.

I live abroad in a country that relies on tourism so it's been tough (halloumi is our other export). The last 12 months have been devastating for the economy and people's livelihoods.