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Original poster

What is your life like post-COVID?

113 replies

ForeverWeBlend · 18/01/2023 19:50

I'm late 50's, two adult DC. During the pandemic both DC were here with us, plus one of their friends who could not go home due to a fall out with their parents. On the whole we were happy - but we didn't lose anyone and both DH and I were able to WFH, so we did not have the financial problems many others had. So grateful for that.
But life has never gone back to 'normal'. We go out rarely now. I find it hard to get the energy to see the good friends I used to see regularly. When we get invites I look for reasons not to go. TV, glass of wine and I'm good.

Is it just me?

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 18/01/2023 19:53

I was champing a the bit to go out and do things again post-Covid. I have some friends who are still stuck in their family bubble, and never go out.

If you are happy with how you are now, then fine. If not, change it.

WileECoyoteMeepMeep · 18/01/2023 19:53

No, not just you.
Life has changed beyond recognition. My world is alarmingly small these days. I don’t actually care to do anything about it though!
Like you, any invite has me scrabbling for excuses not to go. I’m happy at home.

Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight · 18/01/2023 19:55

My world has shrunk. My DP is still shielding as he has zero antibodies/immune system due to the drugs he is on and the government doesn’t seem to care about the half a million people in this situation.

QueenWenceslas · 18/01/2023 19:59

Really, the only thing that’s changed for me is the fact I now largely WFH where previously I was in the office. We have moved to hybrid working and I go in to the office once every three weeks. That in itself has its pros and cons; not commuting saves me 2 hours out of my day and a few quid. But it’s been harder to build my professional network and scope out opportunities.

Outside of work, life is very much back to normal. The kids are in school and doing all of their extra curricular activities. I have resumed and continue to enjoy my hobbies. I go to restaurants, shops and gigs as much as I did in 2019. We continued to holiday abroad throughout 2020 and 2021.

Original poster
ForeverWeBlend · 18/01/2023 20:03

So 3 votes for a smaller world, 2 for no change..

OP posts:
MermaidEyes · 18/01/2023 20:04

Life is back to normal for us. We work, go out for dinner, nights out with friends, days out, holidays abroad. Kids are busy and have active social lives. Over the last three years we've lost some very close friends (although not to covid) and realised we want to make the most of life and enjoy it while we can. Sometimes life is too short.

roarfeckingroarr · 18/01/2023 20:08

I had a child in 2020 and that's changed my life massively. Covid has made no difference. I worked from home, I never stopped socialising and it's like it never happened now, except with a shit economy driving up cost of living.

BCBird · 18/01/2023 20:10

Covid has messed with my head. I live alone so found the lockdown incredibly lonely. I have friends sbd had a partner who I spoke to daily but I missed the face to face. I worked from.home and found it incredibly isolating. I have not had Covid as I have been actively avoiding many of the things I used to do such as attending the theatre, concerts,visiting places of historical interest etc. I am one of the few who still wears a mask. I can't get mynhau around the fact that restrictions have all gone in England yet Covid is still.out there. Cycle that holding me prisoner 🙄

EspeciallyDetermined · 18/01/2023 20:14

Back to normal now and socialising at every opportunity (mid 50s and older teen DCs). Working fully on site and thoroughly enjoying no longer having to WFH.

Most of my friends are the same but there are one or two who have withdrawn a bit and it's sad, 40 year old friendships which I thought were for life are slipping away.

icanwearwhatiwant · 18/01/2023 20:16

Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight · 18/01/2023 19:55

My world has shrunk. My DP is still shielding as he has zero antibodies/immune system due to the drugs he is on and the government doesn’t seem to care about the half a million people in this situation.

That must be difficult but then it must equally have been difficult before because Covid isn't the only nasty illness out there is it?
What do you think the govt could be doing differently for you and your dh?

My life is pretty much the same now as it was in 2019, I use Covid as an excuse when I feel anti-social but that's about it.

Op could it possibly be that you're getting older rather than Covid to blame? Because I can't see from your description why your life couldn't go back to normal if you wanted it to.

stargirl1701 · 18/01/2023 20:18

Life is back to normal for us. DH saw no change throughout as an agronomist. I had the first lockdown at home but was in school as 'hub' subsequently. DC were in another 'hub' as DH and I were key workers.

I caught COVID in Oct 2022. I have been struggling with colds since. 3 weeks from initial symptoms to getting rid. I assume this is the COVID dent my immune system which was fairly robust as a teacher.

But, all DC activities now up and running. DH and I are aiming to go out at least once a month!

I don't see any long term impact on our lifestyle - adults and children.

Original poster
ForeverWeBlend · 18/01/2023 20:23

Op could it possibly be that you're getting older rather than Covid to blame? Because I can't see from your description why your life couldn't go back to normal if you wanted it to.

You are right. Maybe COVID made me prematurely old. That's why I have asked the question. Is it me? Or is it a result of the lockdown?

OP posts:
GinoVino · 18/01/2023 20:28

Nothing has changed for me day to day as I'm still working through the pandemic in the NHS. Most of my adult made friends are at work so I still saw them during lockdowns everyday. Obviously socialising outside of work stopped for a while but that's back to 'normal' now. Normal being probably once a month we may go out for dinner together. I'm not overly into nights out and have always preferred a night at home anyway. I did loose a parent right at the very beginning which has been the only significant change really.

The cost of living crisis has had a much larger impact on my lifestyle than Covid has.

Pizzamyamour · 18/01/2023 20:29

Better than pre covid

I work for a company that did verrry well out of the pandemic so I’ve had multiple promotions, pay rises, enough of a bonus last year to cover IVF for our last child, so honestly it’s been great.

daisydoods · 18/01/2023 20:29

Another vote here for trying to find excuses not to go out - perfectly happy being at home with my family

Original poster
ForeverWeBlend · 18/01/2023 20:31

I work for a company that did verrry well out of the pandemic so I’ve had multiple promotions, pay rises, enough of a bonus last year to cover IVF for our last child, so honestly it’s been great.

Brilliant to hear a happy outcome.

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 18/01/2023 20:33

Back to normal tg. Socialising a fair bit, events, sports for dc, theatre and school plays etc

Just the usual stuff with some extra wfh. It was so bad but at least work is more flexible which is great for balance

justusandmoo · 18/01/2023 20:35

I find that I'm more content to be at home post-Covid. I love my little house and also now WFH most of the time and would never go back to full time office based. It's a whole new world for me.

We do still go out to meet friends and family every so often though but not as often.

Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight · 18/01/2023 20:44

@icanwearwhatiwant the government failed to buy the preventative drug Evusheld when pretty much the rest of Europe and the US did. It’s artificial antibodies against Covid. The variants have moved on now so it’s less effective (a new version is being tested) but it would have given 500,000 people who have been trapped in there homes for nearly 3 years a year of freedom.

Covid is much more contagious and dangerous than flu and other diseases. Flu tends to be a winter disease, bad some years not so bad others. Covid is an all year round disease.

HarrietSchulenberg · 18/01/2023 20:47

My life hasn't changed other than one of my children is now at uni, which would have happened anyway.
I loved the days I could WFH and am looking for a job that offers that.

Original poster
ForeverWeBlend · 18/01/2023 20:49

Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight I know nothing about this but a quick search showed that the BMJ reported it was approved in March 22.

OP posts:
Multipleexclamationmarks · 18/01/2023 20:55

Pretty much back to normal now. Things that would have changed anyway have done (job move, kids getting older so different needs).
Only real difference is dh now works from home half the week instead of always in the office and I'm more happy to say no to things I don't want to do but whether that's covid or age I don't know.

Echobelly · 18/01/2023 20:56

We've been lucky not to have been to have been harmed by it really. I'm enjoying only going into the office 2 days a week, DH is taking some time to work on his own software product. He does seem to not go out much - he works at home all week and sometimes barely goes out a weekends, partly as he's hard at work on his product. So I'm quite pleased he's gone out for a drink with some people tonight - I'd go stir crazy being at home as much as he is!

Life is also different as by the time we came out of, well, not COVID, it's still here, but the lockdown period, we'd gone from having kids who needed babysitting/after school childcare, to kids who could come home on their own and in the last year, kids we don't need babysitting for in the evenings unless oldest is out and it's just 11yo on his own, so that's a big difference.

QueenofLouisiana · 18/01/2023 20:57

I’m one of the 2 million or so with long covid. I feel as though I am living inside a shell, which is my own body. I’m frustrated and exhausted in equal measure.

I’m about back to keeping the house clean on a daily basis, which is great as I rarely socialise now. I need to know I can cope with the output needed, I like to know I’ll have someone with me- in case I can’t deal with it.

So, no. Nothing like my life was.

Soproudoflionesses · 18/01/2023 20:59

I have become VERY selective in what l choose to do nowadays. Used to not need an excuse to go out but now l have to really fancy it!!

But am always a bit like that in winter anyway.