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?

I have realised how much of an introvert I am, I love not having to make an effort speaking to colleagues. I dont think office work is right for me.

Weight.
That’s all

Please be grateful you have a young child, I do too! It's been great, listening to her vocabulary grow, she's 19 months and I can't believe how much she knows.
I tidied and cleaned up the whole house in two very determined days while DP entertained LO, it was very therapeutic.
I'm reading again; more than using my phone as I used to (drove DP mad!)
Getting DD in a better sleeping/eating routine to get her off the boob as much and it's working! I was so nervous about 'sleep training' but it's been great. Like she wanted her independence.
Me and DP have started chilling in bed with munch and films and it's bought us closer IMO.
Enjoying our tiny garden.
Got to know our (really close) neighbours over the fences and a lot of them have kids a similar age to DD so she's gonna love that when this is all over.
Definitely enjoy your daughter and don't worry about not having a DP, at least you can basically do as you please, when you please! I wish sometimes

Quite a few pounds in weight 🙁

Nothing yet. It just feels like February half term when we had constant rain. So not a lot of personal growth as yet.
I have realised that I have some influence over elderly relatives as they were ignoring my parents advice but have listened to me.

I should add I’m still going out to work and will be throughout this so I’m only home 2 days with the family which is just like normal to me.

It sounds horrible but I've realised that my four year old isn't actually hard work, it's my attitude and exhaustion from work that's affecting the way I see her. Yes I'm working from home with her around 24/7, but I'm actually enjoying her company so much more. I sound like a horrible mum 😭 I adore her honestly!

I was led to believe that my job could never be done at home. Well look at us now. Working from home and doing it pretty well actually. I'm not saying I want to do it all the time because I miss the office, but one or two days a week is totally doable and I can guarantee when this is all over I won't be the only one asking for it.

I've previously been really undisciplined at working from home - I'm definitely getting better at it, and will consider negotiating regular WFH day when this is over - not every day, but certainly one day out of three weekly.
Employer may as well get their money's worth out of setting me up with home office, and there's never enough hot desks.
@Needhelp101 your son has clearly got the cleaning/tidying bug rather than a virus - are you planning to hire him out when this is over?

Gained the certain knowledge that nobody is going to “just drop in“.

Great thread! I have realised how little “ things”actually matter & it is people that we should cherish way more. I went through a phase of buying loads of clothes which I could ill afford even when I was working ( not working at the mo as too worried about CV) & also a lot of jewellery. We rarely went out even before lockdown so I never got the chance to wear any of this stuff.
I appreciate my home & garden much more.
I get even more joy from my rabbits ( they help keep me sane)
Another vote for not wasting food. We have all been cooking from scratch, even DD who does very little to help usually. I am working my way through the contents of the freezer, whereas before I just bought more & shoved it in! And I really appreciate the fresh produce delivered from a local farm shop. The carrots were absolutely delicious!
An even greater respect for NHS workers & for all the people keeping the country running
Huge appreciation for my good health. Wish I was fitter but I am well.
I’ve quit drinking (again) but somehow it feels different this time & I’m not craving wine like I was before.
Could think of more but need to go to sleep 💤

I'm enjoying living with my parents again. I'm 60+, they're 90+ and I came to stay with them in their secluded cosy farmhouse towards the end of February as they recovered from a bug. Recovery has been slow, but they're on the mend. They still need me though.

Then came the lockdown and my adult DC begged me to stay here In the country. My health is crap. I have COPD and asthma, along with numerous other conditions. I can self isolate far better here.

I've been here for over a month now and we're so happy together. This is precious time. And I feel very lucky that I'm not facing the financial uncertainty that's causing so much fear and distress. OK, I'm on a very low income - PIP, UC and a couple of tiny pensions - but at least it's secure.

"Absolutely appreciating DH more. There’s nobody else I’d rather be on lockdown with.I always knew I loved him loads but he is my absolute favourite toy!"

Aw, that's lovely MrsGrindah

I'm another who has totally changed my previous shameful waste of food
and stopped spending on unnecessary things

I live alone and I'm recently retired,
So I'm still enjoying not commuting in the rain & dark, not working 7 hours per day, no responsibilities, my time my own

Every day I spend too much time on my chaise longue looking out on a glorious peaceful Rhine and trees

I'm a bookworm, so this is an excuse for a sheer orgy of Kindle Unlimited

I love my daily walk along the Rhine, been sunny almost every day
and I can wave & smile at my neighbours from at least 2m away

The swans put on their pissy faces, but that's just swans for you
I admire them at rather more than 2m distance

I enjoy seeing the dogs along the way - some really weird little breeds ! 😁 - and some very handsome ones

That I should always have a little stock of non perishables just Incase

That I have more in my food cupboard than I realised but none of it really works as a meal (so I need to be more organised).

That family cloth is brilliant.

That I dl forgotten how much I love making bread.

That I bloody love vegetable soup.

That my children really don't like each other very much.

That my upcoming separation is absolutely the right decision and I must stop questioning/having second thoughts. My ex is an arse who drinks too much and really doesn't make me happy.

That my Mum's dementia is actually a blessing right now as she is in her own happy world and not stressed out/scared by COVID-19 (anxious person)

I have gained a new level of appreciation for people who work to help us. Not that I didn't appreciate them before but a realisation I suppose that people in supermarkets, nurses, chemists, bin men etc who are probably among the low paid are the people who actually make a difference in our every day lives. I have gained a cleaner & tidied house, lots & lots of sleep & some lovely time with my dog which I don't usually have. Yes I'm lonely as there is only me but I'm trying to see the positives

About 6 pounds.

I'm adjusting to working at home (although my cats are struggling with me being there all day). I appreciate my lunchtime more oddly enough 🤣. My bedroom is really a mess but It'll get sorted. I'm taking the chance to blast through some classic books on Audible. I love my family more than I thought and miss my boyfriend less than than I thought. I don't miss public transport or driving. Definitely saving money!

I'm almost better off under isolation. I worked from home but recently retired. DH still works in London, so my days were massively long and lonely - alarm at 5:45am, DH home at 7:30pm, bed at 9:30 ready for the next alarm. Now he's working from home, saving 3 hours a day or more of commute, and the alarm is set for 7. We have a dog, and we can now walk him together. I also get involved in setting up the village support network for the virus, so I'm making many more contacts in the village (albeit virtual ones).

I was given an embroidery machine for my significant birthday in a month's time and I'm loving playing with that, as well as working on my OU courses.

Oh, and we're saving £850 a month on DH's rail ticket!

Time.

I typically work 12-14 hour days including my commute, now I can get my work done in half that time, because I am organised like that.

Time to focus on my children a little more and still have the energy and patience at the end of a long day to give them far more attention than usual.

Time to get on with my hobbies: it may only be an hour here or there, but, again, this would be impossible during the working week.

Time to clean and sort out the house.

Also more boundaries - saying no to work when things become unreasonable, letting my family know when I need some time alone.

I have gained some weight, but at the same time having to stick to going shopping once a week rather than whenever after work is doing my liver good - when I run out of wine/ gin, it's gone and I stick to waiting until the next big food shop.

@Forgivenandsetfree I’m absolutely grateful for my daughter! I’m not sure if I insinuated she was more of a hassle, perhaps I did without realising somewhere?
Actually, she’s keeping me going! I used to live for her naps, now I’m willing her to wake up!
We went for our walk yesterday and it was absolutely lovely, I appreciated it and loved watching her and letting her stomp in puddles. Before it would’ve been to tire her out or get rid of some time in the day- now I genuinely enjoy watching her face.

I’ve also started doing little things to perk me up!

I put a face mask on in the morning, they’re probably a load of crap but makes me feel like I’ve done something for me!

I’m doing hair treatments with castor oil (amazing for getting thick long hair) I Didn’t do this before as the faffing was just too much! Do this 2 times a week and your hair will be amazing after isolation!

I’m trying to drink more water

Sitting in my garden would’ve been a bit boring before- now it’s a luxury

I’m definitely going to appreciate going for lunch or dinner- I’m going to see it for exactly what it is and should be, a luxury treat! Before it was just something I did, and then I’d be scratching my head wondering where my money had gone!

I have no washing! I put on a wash, dry it and put it away! 2 weeks ago I’d put on a wash, forget I’d put it on, have to re-do as left in machine for over a day and stinks, dry eventually- leave in ironing pile- have 3 weeks worth of clothes to sort through.

Now I do one wash, and put it away! So simple yet it has made a massive difference!

Loving reading everyone’s positive story’s!

Nice thread OP

We started meal planning so as not to waste food. It's enjoyable and makes things easier.

I've 'enjoyed' staying at home more than I thought I would. I'm relaxed in a strange way. (Obviously I'm very worried too!)

It all very odd.

I really, really feel desperately sorry for some people. 💐💐💐

I am used to working from home, sometimes, so the current situation is quite normal for me. I live alone, so do not have any social interaction unless I am in the office or meeting friends in a city some distance from my house. I only shop, when at home, once a week anyway and that hasn't changed.
I do feel very sorry for all those "laid off" or on furlough at reduced pay, though, but I don't feel "lucky" to be working in that sense, it is just what I do.
If my current client turned round and said they were pulling all projects until normality resumes, that would be fine with me as well and would give me more time to get out in the garden and get it tidy!
I am thankful that I am someone who is equally happy in their own company as in a group.