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?

@WellThisIsABitShiteIsntIt
I’m surprised to say I’m actually doing ok at home too! I take one day at a time, of I think too far into the future I might crack!
I was always out doing something before, spending money here and there- I’ve certainly learnt the best things in life are free (not sure how I’m going to pay bills just yet- unfortunately they’re not free!)
For the first few days I was desperately lonely, and was thinking how nice it must be to be isolating with a partner or family- I’m reminding myself now that the grass isn’t always greener! There’s pros and cons to both.
I’ve realised I’m actually content in my own company 🙂

LittleRootie No, I've never seen The LadyKillers. I will watch this one tonight. Thank you

Definitely to appreciate walks, going to the park etc - things that don't cost money. How kind people can be. My family and friends who I'm missing terribly.

To make the most of everyday .

That I waste a lot of money in general. Gona be able to clear and extra 200 off my credit card and also saved 300 quid. God knows what I usually buy but I do miss shopping.

We are in a very privilaged position though and I am incredibly grateful for the life we have x

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

^

Per month! 😱😱😱😬

@managedmis wow!!!! Where on Earth is the commute to and from??? Save it and book a lovely holiday (when you can of course!)

It's an introvert's dream. I'm the calmest I've been for years. No having to go to the office, no real demands on my time, far less noise, no pressure to make small talk.

I feel for my son though. He misses his school, his grandparents and his activities.

Me too optical I don’t really mean it because of course it’s terrible for everyone, but regards the day to day impacts on my world , I’m really enjoying shutting off.

That I really am shit at art and shouldn't bother trying.

Mumsnet has been my go to social place for a while.

So this has bought home how anti social I am and that I'm not doing my kids any favours normally but during lock down its okay as this is their norm, so they aren't suffering.

However whilst we were are quite antisocial, we did go out just us, now and again so I'm missing our town and cinema visits.

My oldest spent her pocket money in cafes on her walks every fortnight so she's learning to save her pennies. She walks daily but no cafes in our area, so she was just visiting the ones fortnightly on our trip to our old area 100 miles away. So I do miss family but I only saw them fortnightly at best.

We fled domestic violence so I am wanting to move closer covertly, as I now see the value in kids being able to pop to grandma's or seeing a friend in the street. I was already planning to do so and I see that moving area has made me so much more anti social and that's not fair on my kids. Being this far away in lock down is not nice, thinking about being taken ill, with no support network.

Also we did a nice extended family meal out every few months and I miss that as whilst it's my choice not to do much of things outside, I have had the choice taken away like everyone else to do the things I enjoyed.

I also miss my fortnightly browse in tkmaxx and homesense.

So I learnt that I should have appreciated things more and made more effort when I had the chance. I've learnt that my kids do need to do more and be more social. I've learnt that I'm probably enjoying lock down a little too much despite being ill so its a walk up call to change my anti social ness. (which is not a word...)

Weight
Netflix

Better sleep. Still waking up at sparrowfart, but the streets are quieter, so I'm not being kept awake or woken up repeatedly through the night.

Physical rest. I've had constant, unremitting pain from PsA affecting my foot, ankle and leg tendons for months and, with just ten days of working from home no shoes on, the pain has gone.

OK, I've had to deal with breathlessness and fear as I've apparently already had it, but I'm not wondering if it's my last gasp/whether to join the queues wanting emergency treatment anymore.

Hopefully, I'll get time to be able to gradually rehabilitate/exercise before returning to work.

I've learned that

• work is really important for my mental health
• dd1 and I can have some good conversations
• dd3 really is as mad as a box of frogs!

Mismanagedmis- yeah, it's the high speed train into St Pancras and costs a bleeding fortune.

I've been feeling really calm and grateful. I have a nice house and garden to be on lockdown in, and I'm really enjoying the break from my usual rushed routine to feed the birds in my garden and watch the flowers bloom a little more each day.
I've already noticed how much money and food I waste and intend to continue to be mindful of that when this is all over.
I realise that I am in a very fortunate position (still on full pay and nobody I know being unwell) and am very grateful for that. I'm making sure to support my favourite local yoga instructors by paying for their online classes, rather than doing free ones, and generally feeling calm and grateful for my health and my situation.
Lovely thread, thank you OP.

I've gotten back into reading. Also found more local suppliers to support rather than getting everything in supermarket (we already got a veg box from a local farm but I've found other stuff now too). Appreciation for having my health and also having a decent job with a decent company that treat their staff well as I know for many this is not the case. Have watched a lot of films as well (MUBI subscription is £1 for 3 months atm).

Oh and yy to spending changes; looked at my statements and pre and post lockdown is quite different! No bus fares, shopping trips, meals out etc. makes a big difference.

I agree with PP that I will see things like holidays and meals out as more of a luxury than I did before.

Obviously I am horribly spoiled but I had five holidays booked for this year already (managed to take one before lockdown) and never thought twice about going out for dinner/theatre.

I am spending a third less than I did before, despite increasing my Energy DD to allow for increased consumption.

Got my evenings back! Instead of driving DC back and forth to swimming, dancing etc. Eating as a family every night, cooking different things instead of what works for timing reasons. An appreciation of how nice the world is with few cars on the road, and hearing the birds singing. A deep feeling of gratitude for my situation, a nice house with a garden, jobs that will keep on paying and easy to work at home, my DH and DC who are kind and fun and easy to be locked in with, enough money, enough food, nice walks all around. This has made me think much more about all the people who are facing this but are in much worse situations, and I've been donating money to charities who help so i think it has helped me be more generous too! Lovely thread OP, thank you.

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

Another that can't get my head round that.
Where is this commute from, that it is worth spending that every month

That's more than I spend on a holiday every other year

£728, I'm sorry, he must have had an extra week on his last one.

Go here, type in Ashfor Kent, ST Pancras international, and scroll to the bottom for the one that includes the high speed services and the tube.

ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/seasonticket/tickets

So people from further out that Ashford are certainly paying more.