Finding lockdown with family hard

[Sapphiresunrise]

My parents are in their mid-50s and I have a teenage brother. I have been staying with them since before the lockdown happened but usually live alone.
My workplace is closed for the forseeable future and I have no work to do at home, so at a bit of a loose end.
My parents get on a lot better with my brother than they do I and it's really being highlighted.
It's not that I don't get on with them as such, i'm just a lot quieter and they seem to find my brother a lot funnier and more interesting, he's very confident and outgoing and always making them laugh.
My Dad and brother have a very close bond and I guess being here has made me sad that I don't have that bond with my family. My brother doesn't seem to like me much, and doesn't really speak to me unless I speak to him.
He doesn't clean any mess after himself, he will make a sandwich and leave all the ingredients out, leave bowls on the floor, towels in the bath etc. But i'm not bothering to say anything because I know I'll be painted as the bitch.
My Mum is a key worker and my Dad is WFH, i'm trying my best to help them out by keeping the house clean, doing the shopping etc.
The house is very small and cramped, my brother has online lessons all day which I know he has to do of course, but the noise comes right into my room so it's hard to get any quiet really.
I just feel like an outsider and not working is getting to me.
I've had one argument with my family in the last few weeks, and i'm just trying to stay out of their way and keep busy. Hearing them all laughing and joking and having debates with my brother just makes me feel lonely and I feel like going.
I want to go back to my own flat but I know we aren't meant to move households.
I am fully aware that people are in a much worse situation than me right now, i'm lucky to be safe. It's just hard when youre so used to independence and suddenly you have a whole new life.
Anyone else in the same boat /suggestions ? Thank you

It's a very good idea, I did apply but got an email today saying that they couldn't verify my ID, I could reapply in a few days. So I shall do that, otherwise i'm applying for other stuff because it's looking like I won't be in work until September :/ (school)

Good luck with it, and for the future. It's very hard for you young people atm.

You are absolutely right, if you point out your brother’s laziness you can sadly be sure it’s you that will get slashed, not him. And no, your dad probably hasn’t noticed much of what you’ve done. That is his problem, not yours. I wouldn’t be surprised if your brother is a bit stand-offish with you, because he thinks you’re ’the perfect one’ always doing everything right. Your relationship might change when he has grown up a bit (might take a while though 😂). My entire life I wished I was an extrovert, but now...I’m so happy I’m not! I am seldom bored by myself, and I don’t say everything I think all the time. I still do (quietly 😂) get pissed off by people taking credit for my ideas or not even noticing things I actually do. I complain to my introvert child, who knows exactly how it feels and then we both feel better! 😂

How old are you? The dynamic sounds very childlike. Be yourself. If your parents and brother don't like it fuck 'em. You are an adult, you have every right to be yourself. You were not put on this earth to make other people comfortable! Time to cut the apron strings.

Staying at your parents every weekend is just weird frankly. How are you going to have your own life, hobbies, interests, maybe a romantic relationship if you spend most of your free time at your parents house!

Time to put some distance both physical and mental I think. Time to get the life YOU want for YOU.

There are other volunteering options - local community hubs or informal groups, trussel trust, other foodbanks that are still open.
Go home, research what's going on near you in terms of volunteering, or temp supermarket work.
Arrange to zoom or skype your parents next weekend.

Lots of farms are urgently looking for pickers as they normally rely on EU seasonal workers which for obvious reasons they won't get this spring/summer. If you don't mind mildly manual work and live by a farm then worth contacting them. There's a website where you can see country wide where work is needed (I'll try find the link).

@PippaPegg it’s not weird considering these times, and if you’ve lost your job especially. How do you suggest one practices hobbies, interests, and a romantic relationship in lock-down...? And why would it be weird to decide to stay in lock-down with your own family rather than entirely on your own? Op sounds more sensible than you.

@PippaPegg op clearly is being herself, probably more than most people. Sometimes you just need to vent, it doesn’t mean you don’t know what you want for yourself or know who you are. 🙂

Go home

How old are you? I think it's fine to go home, but as others have said you wouldn't be able to visit them

I only live 20 minutes down the road and I do tend to stay with them on a weekend as they like me visiting.

If you go home, stay home.

I think you are getting hung up on extroverts being favoured. I'm an introvert, my family is a mix of both as are friends and colleagues and I've never found it to be an issue.

Your brother will learn when he's out on his own. You can escape home where his mess isn't your problem.

Sod that. Get yourself home where you can hear yourself think and relax. No way on earth could I live with my mother and my brother.

Hi op, if you’re going home and won’t have much to do maybe consider an online course? I’m doing one currently that I hadn’t managed to get any done since December, picked it up again this week and it’s really helped.