To ask what you will not go back to doing?

[Galwaygirl]

For me, I realise after weeks in lockdown that I spent a fortune on kids clothes that they never wore, way too much and getting on fine with no new purchases!
Also, spent a fortune on make up and skin care that o am still using, makes me think I was living in a world where there was so much excessive expenditure on material thanks I did not need, will be mindful in future!

Nope, we didnt change too much
Takeaway was always available, as was alcohol, schools back and things opening again
Im just waiting for full crowds at live sport and we back to normal apart from travel limitations

Rather than going to soft plays/trampoline parks I'll be taking kids on walks instead. Far better for them and they really enjoy it. Also I've saved a packet!

I think that the biggest change for our family is that weve both realised theres a greater requirement for that 6 month savings buffer we always said we wanted but never managed to get.

Also, that there will be no more 7 day weeks at work.

Were going to live more simply but also really focus on time together as s family and not how much money we can make and spend

Being a generally sane person

Seriously though, I don't rightly know. Everything was so strange with the virus, and then George Floyd was murdered so close to home, and it feels like everything turned to the protests and social justice.

I was so worried about social distancing and then the next second I was rubbing elbows at the memorial site in Minneapolis because it seemed like it was the ONLY thing.

I'm being a bit dramatic probably but I feel like I've been slightly panicked and not myself since November 2016.

I’ve been working frontline NHS throughout lockdown and I’m going to go back to eating out, going to the pub/on holiday and hugging people. Life is too short, over the past few months I’ve watched more people die through fear of catching the virus than of actually getting it.

I won't ever be told I can't take my children on holiday in term time again.

Anyone else feeling sorry for the hairdressers and barbers?

All of this cutting back on things will not be good at all for the economy. One thing everyone who feels secure in their jobs should be doing when all of this is over, is spend money. Without it, the economy is knackered and job losses will spiral

I agree with you, but is the solution really for people to keep buying/doing things they feel they don't want to, often with money they don't have?

Many people have realised how much money they spend on things like food and drink outside the house, grooming, or shopping for the sake of it and decided that it isn't worth it, especially for those who don't have savings, or a pension and now might be worrying about what would happen if they lost their income and are trying to put money by in case this happens.

A lot less rushing around and a lot less buying of unnecessary things.

@Seelow

All of this cutting back on things will not be good at all for the economy. One thing everyone who feels secure in their jobs should be doing when all of this is over, is spend money. Without it, the economy is knackered and job losses will spiral.

We (the world) need to find a different way, and this is a good opportunity. It is not sustainable to keep on consuming at the rate we were doing, else our children and grandchildren will pay the price.

I will not be going back to working five days each week in an office. Nor will the rest of the team I am part of.

Reduce my gym classes-
I have been exercising at home and going for long walks and I find it more beneficial than going to the gym. So I will leave the car and start walking more often when things get back to normal

I will start buying groceries in bulk. So will be going to Costco, Booker etc

Start taking more care of my garden. I have started to appreciate it more.

I feel bad for the people who have been impacted financially by this crisis but not everyone has

For those who haven't, please start spending freely again. Pumping money back into the economy is the only way we will avoid a long lasting and crippling depression

I won't be driving my kids everywhere. I've loved the roads being quieter so will be doing my bit to keep it that way and walk/cycle everywhere we possibly can. I know it will be harder in winter but now's a good time to get good habits in place.

@AnyFucker

I feel bad for the people who have been impacted financially by this crisis but not everyone has

For those who haven't, please start spending freely again. Pumping money back into the economy is the only way we will avoid a long lasting and crippling depression

To be honest I reckon my lockdown spending has probably helped to keep some shops in business . We have a great local traditional toy shop who swiftly created themselves a website and online shop at the beginning of lockdown so I’ve been using that for DC’s friends birthdays and for my own DC rather than automatically looking on Amazon.

I do wonder what it means for the economy though. The new normal is clearly going to have to be very different to what we have known.

To be fair, I think at least some of this is based on optimism that will fade!

I would love to never bother with the extended IL gatherings again, but I know they'll be raring to go.

I know as soon as I have to be in an office 5 days a week I sure as fuck won't be making my own sandwiches.

My gym routine has gone to the wall, and I'd love to get back in the pool.

After an initial rush to 'catch up' on missed out occasions, I definitely think a lot of people will go back to normal, because there are certain big things - where we spend the day, who we spend it with - that dictate all the little things.

Business can't just be the same though.

Social distancing makes shopping a different experience. We value different things in lockdown (e.g. craft supplies, art products probably all did well). And perhaps some people want to spend more discerningly- online grocery shopping is more expensive in general, as the cheap shops like Aldi and Lidl don't do it, I'm using an organic meat supplier again which is pricey. So, some luxury sector stuff may be more desirable.

But people shouldn't be morally pressured into spending money as a hobby- I think lots of people have enjoyed a different way of life, and those who have lost their jobs/finances are biting will also have less to spend. The economy will have to adapt to what people want and can afford, and I won't be propping up independent coffee shops if actually it's fairly obvious I can live without them out of a sense of obligation.

For those who haven't, please start spending freely again.

I'm not sure rampant consumerism & consumption are models we should rush back to although I recognise the job losses. Plus realistically the ones lucky enough to have jobs will perhaps face tax rises in some form, delayed pensions, wage stagnation as per the 08 crash, etc.

I know as soon as I have to be in an office 5 days a week I sure as fuck won't be making my own sandwiches.

Is everyone going to be going back to office environments full time? DHs city firm have said they are unlikely to ever go back to their office in the traditional sense, some of our friends have said the same. Think about it from a company balance sheet, they will save millions. Obviously this is going to have a detrimental effect on public transport & some of the industries that support city working.

Going to the pub! I was paying £8 for a glass of wine and near £5 for a pint - we went far too often!!! I can actually buy a bottle for that at home and now I have a newly decorated living room and spruced up summer house, I am now the pub!

For the first time since my children were born I realised that I rarely now check my 'to do' list, which I did regularly throughout the day prior to LD. I have been going to gyms for over 30 years but will not be returning and I never thought I would say that. I have a great exercise routine at home that means no more driving to the gym and sitting in traffic. I will be driving less for definite and making the most of what we have on our doorstep. We had a hedgehog in our garden a fortnight ago, the first I have seen in over 20 years and it will be a permanent reminder for me of the debt that I need to pay back to an environment that I have played my part in destroying.

Is everyone going to be going back to office environments full time?

Oh, lord no. To clarify - if I am required to, I will go back to buying sandwiches.

(and I'm a decision maker in this regard in our company, though tragically we won't be saving millions)

However, if cafes and food shops are open up in the high street, I do like to wander down at lunch when I wfh usually anyway.

I’ve taken a part time job. Low pay, much less stress. I want to read more, spend more time in the garden. I’ve realised I can meet friends and take drinks and food rather than eatIng out all the time. I’ve saved a lot of money during lockdown.

I will never ever work 5 days a week in an office again! My work have said up to 4 days per week can be from home now, and if I change jobs I will actively search for WFH options.

I think it's helped clarify my priorities. No more birthday presents for people who forget mine. Less guilt about saying no or missing events.

I'm also reading up on degrowth and circular economy theories as I can't see how perpetual growth can work (unless we find some more habitable planets in the next 20 years).

All of this cutting back on things will not be good at all for the economy. One thing everyone who feels secure in their jobs should be doing when all of this is over, is spend money

Honestly, I do think that for every person saying they won't return to the hairdressers, pubs, restaurants, takeaway coffee outlets, there will be double that who can't wait to spend money on themselves after a boringly cheap three months.

And I'm sure most of those who say they won't go back to the hairdressers, pubs, restaurants, takeaway coffee outlets, will be back there within three months time.