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You are an old trucker in the post-pandemic Tesla world....

5 replies

JanisMoplin · 04/06/2022 08:04

DH said this to me the other day. He didn't mean it as an insult. This is what he means.

I am basically a chatty and sociable person with a dislike of screens in a world that is increasingly introverted and screen based. I am in my early 50s, DC have their own lives and challenges. Now entirely WFH so never meet people. Had a few friends but nearly all have become more introverted in the pandemic, or are strugging with their mental health, or have significant caregiving issues, or have become flaky.. We rarely meet and most communication is by text ( which seems to suit everyone but me). So many social events that I used to atttend are now entirely Zoom based ( again suits everyone but me). It's a Tesla world and I am an old, slow, irrelevant trucker!

I have joined a number of clubs and groups; book clubs, walking groups, and so on. These aren't really friends though, more acquaintances. DH is deeply introverted and absolutely loves WFH. He never had many friends so nothing has changed for him. But I appear very poorly suited to this new world. DC's social lives appear to be entirely online!

I am increasingly thinking I need to adapt somehow. It's not that I hate my own company. Thanks to my friends all being too busy, and DH working all hours at the moment, I go alone to galleries, museums and for walks. I travel a lot solo. I think I need to find more joy in it though.

At the back of my mind, I know that women in my family are long- lived ( till their mid-90s) and the men tend to go in their 60s, so learning to love my own company would be worthwhile.

Anyone else in the same situation? I see that most women in their 50s appear to have become more introverted, but I have gone the other way!

OP posts:
Donotgogentle · 04/06/2022 08:13

I like your DH’s analogy.

From what you say it sounds like you’re not happy with the level of social contact you have. I think a lot of people are just starting to emerge from the comfortable boredom of Covid isolation.

Personally I’ve decided to make a lot more effort to get my social life up and running again to pre-pandemic levels.

DenholmElliot1 · 04/06/2022 08:14

Could you get a new job that isn't WFH?

The only other thing I can think of is doing voluntary work? That would get you out and about with other people and there are loads of different types of jobs to choose from

MarshaBradyo · 04/06/2022 08:19

That’s a shame about zoom replacing rl events

I’ve barely used zoom since pandemic ended, tg because by the end I couldn’t stand it.

JanisMoplin · 04/06/2022 08:22

I should have said that I think it unlikely I can change my job at this age ( niche creative field) plus I do like it. I also should have mentioned that I do volunteer work once a week. Love it but there is still a hole. Thinking of getting a cat. I do believe this has something to do with menopause and empty nest....

An example of what I mean: A friend has been saying repeatedly that she would love to come to a play with me ( I love the theatre). So over the last month, have been messaging her stuff I am keen on ( there are some offers now). And either she replies so late that tickets have disappeared, or she just has some excuse why she can't come. I have given up now and told her to find something, and I will just come along. People have become very..... odd?

OP posts:
Donotgogentle · 04/06/2022 08:26

Yeah, some friends have got very flaky. I’m focussing on those who are not.

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