What do you miss most from your pre-Covid life?

[MagicSummer]

I miss:-

• Being in a crowd of people without worrying if they are infected
• Shopping for fun and trying on clothes and using make-up testers
• Just browsing in shops without feeling uncomfortable
• Planning and looking forward to a holiday
• Just feeling normal!

@sherrystrull

My children being able to do all of their activities and experiencing normal school.

This 100%.

I can cope with most things but this is what makes me most sad. Amongst other things, their main hobby involves volunteering and working with the public and older other volunteers, so can't do this in the normal way.

@AdviceOnLife

Taking my kids swimming. Our family slots are alway fully booked in our area. My older 2 dc are total water babys and my 18 month old has never been yet.

I feel the same. DD was doing amazingly well at her swimming lessons. They never returned and two other local pools closed down. Trying to book a session we can go to is hard work. Managed 3 in 18 months.

I miss my daughters dance competitions

My children turned 18 and 21 during the pandemic and I feel very sad for them and the restrictions they are under.
They’re missing festivals, first independent holidays, Uni experience. They’ve paid a massive price

I miss watching my son play rugby, chatting and having a drink with the other parents at the club in a Saturday afternoon

not having to wear masks - I hate them! I would love to gather them up and burn them!
But I wear them out of respect for others.

Wedding and funerals being normal - a major one in my life had to be really skewed. And too many funerals to think about and mention which have been severely altered.
There was talk originally of "we will have a proper one sometime". Cant see that happening. Too much has happened to be able to go back, in my opinion.

Not thinking!
Going to other people's houses and dropping in.
My parents having a social life of their own.
Planning to keep other people safe whether they want me to or not.
Choir.

Just ‘doing’ without having to strategise a basic day out. And travel. Just booking and going without the hurdle jumps in between.

Live music
Not having to wear a mask (I'm in Scotland)
Going to restaurants without fear of being pinged
Meeting friends without social distancing
Teaching without social distancing

Being spontaneous and just going to places without planning and checking all the rules
Theatre - can’t face that until masks are not needed. Our local theatre is unpleasantly hot.
Going to the pub with friends for a drink. We can do that now, of course, but nobody wants to yet.

So many sad replies with very wistful sentiments. Makes you realise just what we have lost over the last 18 months, with particular emphasis on those who have lost loved ones and their livelihoods. I guess we just have to keep going and try to be optimistic that one day it will get better, but we will never take anything for granted any more, I don't think.

Holidays abroad and meals out. I’d rather go without them though then have covid so they can wait.

Having to book things about a zillion years in advance 🙄 Whether that's eating out, swimming, a day out somewhere, etc, it really does suck the joy out of things sometimes.

TheVanguardSix - totally agree.

Daughter, son-in-law and our two grandchildren live in Cyprus, and when DH and I retired ( pre - Covid ) we were able to visit several times a year.
Hoping and praying that we’ll be able to go over next month as planned…..

Travel travel travel, I've had to cancel some of trips like everyone!
Some I can easily replicate, so that's annoying but not not really an issue, what pains me is the trip with incredibly cheap flights I found, amazing but cheap hotels..

Not having to prebook everything.

My five year old not being afraid of every single person who coughs

Holidays

Prior to the pandemic I had no clue that anti vaxxers could be so vocal.

I mean, I knew they existed they just existed 'somewhere else'. I miss those days when they just STFU.

Not seeing family

but we will never take anything for granted any more, I don't think.

Sadly, it’s human nature that we have short memories. 😔

Live music
Travelling abroad
Working with people face to face
Being able to walk into a pub or restaurant without a booking
Going to the theatre

Hopefully got some gigs to go to but can't deny I'm nervous about the crowds!

@DDIJ

Nothing at all. My life has been the same as before throughout.

…………

Really? How?
I cant see how this would be true!

No logistical personal Covid risk mitigation management nor need to plan B and plan C in case of Covid disruptions etc. Being free to mix freely and without limitations.

Spontaneity

My mum

I miss not having to constantly risk assess everything!

For example it’s a close family member’s wedding this summer so all activities I’m weighing up “will I get COVID from this? Will I get “pinged” or contacted by T&T from this?” I have cancelled quite a few things.

Also holidays.

Also my kids being in school unless they are actually unwell.