What have you actually gained from this experience so far?

[Stampy84]

It’s a very hard time for everyone, and when I feel the depression kicking in I try to think of positives and things I’m grateful for. Things that I’ve learnt from this.

What has changed in you after the isolating experience so far? What are you looking forward to doing most after it’s over? What have you learnt?

For me.. I’ve learnt a massive lesson in food wastage. I don’t waste any good anymore. Before, I’d have got lazy and ordered a takeaway even if there was food in the fridge. It probably would’ve gone off and got chucked. I’ve also learnt I ate out for lunch far too much! Even just stopping in a cafe and spending £7, it wasn’t a treat anymore! Now it will be.
I’ve realised I can entertain and enjoy my 17 month old without spending money all the time!
I’m enjoying just a walk through the field with her for our daily exercise! I love watching the wonder on her face at little things like a dog, plane or train..
I’ve also realised I’m very lucky to have a little garden for us to sit in, I didn’t give it a second thought before. I honestly really feel for people that don’t have an outdoor space for themselves or children to enjoy.
I’m so looking forward to seeing my whole family again! We really didn’t make the time to see each other when we could.
I’ve learnt how to get into a routine, and keep my house organised, can not believe how much that helps to clear your head!

What about you guys? What positives have come out of this so far for you?

@InsanityRocks Are you going to watch The Ladykillers? One of my all-time fave films!

I'm happy that I'm finally managing to do yoga daily - instead of once a week. Even if just for 15 mins it makes a real difference to how I feel (even if a bit shortlived - as others have said I'm finding my mood to be very up and down as the day goes on).

Also appreciating the birds and wildlife in the garden more than usual I think.

Oh and living in leggings and like PP, ditching the bra

I appreciate both of us having a job even if it means lots of juggling as we get a home Rita going.
I appreciate teaching my child and seeing them learn something new.
I appreciate actually watching my children play song joining in as if I was on holiday, with no time restriction.
I now appreciate going to a shop and buying food like I never have before.
I appreciate knowing I can buy flowers, go for meals out and meet up with friends when all this is over.

Realised that material possessions dont bring happiness, which I knew really but its reinforced that feeling. Friends and family are so important. I suffer with depression, but I've been feeling better since this all started. I'm actually enjoying it! Sorry! I'm off work but I'm part of a local network who do shopping and collect prescriptions for those who cant get out. I'm continuing to exercise, but no gym but am running outside and walking and doing exercises with dumbbells at home. I've been on a diet/healthy eating plan since January, cooking more although I was cooking a fair bit anyway. I'm more aware of not wasting food and cooking cheaper recipes. I've lost weight too. So all pretty positive.
I'm hoping we will all be more thoughtful and carry on these positive things when we get out of this crisis.
Its been great to see people appreciating each other, the NHS etc. I think we can learn a lot from this

I've learned that I am actually a good cook...I just don't like cooking.

I am very grateful for where I live. There is a lovely walking path behind my house that has made the past couple of weeks much nicer.

My husband and I actually get along much better than I thought. Being stuck in isolation with him isn't so bad.

I am a messy person. Even with all the time in the world and very little to do, I still can't be bothered to clean the house.

I really wish we had a dog. I am not working and will be staying home with a newborn for the foreseeable future and should've gone for it months ago when DH and I discussed the potential of getting a pet.

I truly am one of the lucky ones.

Such a lovely thread!

I haven't so much gained as confirmed that the life I had created was one I loved, that self employment and singlehood and night owlishness and no children is how I want my life to be for always :)

I've gained a real appreciation for the little things I took for granted without realising it - seeing Mum whenever I wanted, a cuppa in my favourite cafe, cuddling my cats (ok, I can still do that last one and am relying on it heavily!). Simpler things than I thought make me happy :)

I am definitely better at cooking and not wasting food.

And I've learned that I am infinitely adaptable - I'm a photographer and passionate advocate for WFH/remote working, and have spent the past fortnight shifting everything photography online at double speed, while fielding calls and creating tutorials about Zoom and remote working and things. It's been stressful but weirdly satisfying!

Learned not to put off getting things fixed - we've got several things around the house that are on the verge of breaking, shower, dishwasher, etc., and I live in terror that they'll break and we won't be able to get them repaired (and now is definitely not the time to practice our nonexistent DIY skills). Ditto for cosmetic house procedures.

Good for you @Stampy84, trying to think of all the positives. It is a shame one or two posters have completely understood.

For me, I've 'reset' my life a little bit. Am getting a good 8hours sleep every night (which I haven't done for goodness knows how long). I've stopped snacking. I'm getting out in the fresh air for an hour's walk at least 2 out of 3 days, and I'm either doing an exercise session (good old PE with Joe) or a yoga session - or sometimes both - every day.

I've also gained space and some rather cluttered areas of my house back as my (adult) ds has been putting his energy into totally clearing and sorting and cleaning our house - including all the nooks and crannies the spiders had made their home (shed, basement, etc).

I'm feeling very blessed, tbh.

I've learnt that being stuck at home with a 17 month old is utterly shite!

I've realised I'm really fucking lazy

The value of a routine - I was nervous after the first week that the weekend would just feel exactly the same as the week, but routine meant that it didn't

That my son, who we just found out probably has ADHD (we have some more questionnaires to fill in) can actually pay attention quite well when he has a quiet space free of distraction - we are very fortunate to have a spare room to use for his learning

A renewed determination to change jobs!

I don’t go to see my parents enough.
I need routine.
I don’t like home learning .
I love my job .
It wasn’t a bad idea to marry a farmer after all .
My youngest may have a tapeworm .
Getting chickens was a great idea .
It was a good idea to save for a rainy day .
I should have bought the paint .

My two sons are 17 and 19 and before all this were both quite busy and independent, with school/ college/ part time jobs/ sport/ girlfriend etc. I have enjoyed spending more time with them and knowing they'll be at home for meals. With no other peers to interact with face to face they've been chatting to each other more than usual too, and that's lovely to watch. The younger one has got so bored he's been helping around the house without being asked, and has cooked for us.

My children have learnt to get along and play together without fighting all the time. There’s quite a big age gap, and they have always found it difficult to find things to do together. So we have always ended up with loads of play dates, or they retreat into their own spaces and do their own thing (which usually means older Dd on her iPad while I play with younger one). They have discovered each other and it’s lovely to watch.

Almost an exact echo of the post above mine! I should have read to the end before using the exact same wording!! Clearly it’s not just in our house that sibling relationships are developing. Although mine are 11 and 6.

This awful time has taught me many lessons already.

I am far less stressed and I am a frontline NHS clinician. Where I work we haven't been hit badly yet and have reworked things so we can operate safely. This may obviously change drastically soon.

The last few weeks have made me realise how horribly stressful the job is on a normal day pre pandemic. I leave the hospital late, with my head spinning, feeling I've failed and the pressure of unfinished jobs after every shift. Suddenly that pressure has lifted as elective surgery and clinic cancelled. We are still busy but not juggling and having every last drop squeezed out of us, knowing that next financial year our budget will yet again be reduced for about the 10th consecutive year. I come home having given my all and then have little left to give to my own young children who are tired after a long day in childcare.

I will do whatever it takes during this pandemic, but i will reconsider my long term plans.

That I'm lucky my job has stability. So many times I've wanted to quit teaching but now I'm glad I didn't. That with data, target grades we've lost sight of what education is actually about. I'm enjoying just focusing on the content of my lessons and what the pupils actually learn. Not data. That my house is a comfortable and safe place for myself and my daughter. That we are lucky to have a garden. That I miss walking every where. That nothing is more important than the health and safety of family and friends.

My son started walking on Wednesday. Had I been working as normal (which would have been highly probable as I'm a keyworker), he would have been at nursery and I would have missed it. I will cherish so much more of the time I get with him, and put more effort into engaging with him as he's not just a baby any more, he's a proper little person

I have learnt that when the village you live in organises volunteers to do your shopping, and your designated volunteer asks what you want, what she really means is that you're being a nuisance, and she doesn't want to go to the shops for you at all.

Miserable. I am miserable. From the point of view of shopping, I am so sad.

I'm finding it hard working, looking after the 2 kids, house, sorting food/shopping.

I've gained a greater insight into how obsessed DH is with work (he's on average UK salary - I earn more than him - yet he just bolt holes in the loft doing 'important' work for 10 hours flat every day leaving me to it).

On the positive, I have lost nearly one stone through food worries and general worry. I know this sounds like a negative, but I've been trying to lose weight for 5 years now and I know this will be a good thing.

I've enjoyed not having so much pressure on me to do things for everyone one (non DSs or DH) - it's been so relaxing.
Have learnt to not waste food, do a weekly shop and make it last

More family time, more time with my hubby, more cooking together, an appreciation for our home , generosity of friends and neighbours, a realisation of how great my employer is, a hope that this will focus everyone's minds as to what's app important.