to ask what lockdown has helped you realise about yourself?

[justonemoresliceplease]

Lockdown has made me realise how much FOMO 'fear of missing out' really ruled over my life.

I'm on a much lower salary than most of my friends due to running my own business, and I would want to join them at expensive restaurants but turned down so many invitations. I always thought there was something better I could be doing each day, even if I was having a great day, it would be at the back of my head. I felt I should be socializing, playing a game of football with my nephews in the park, working from a coffee shop.

But now the world has paused I feel so much more control over my life and I think as everything picks up again I will have more awareness to not worry anymore about what I'm missing out on. What has lockdown made you realise about yourself?

[B0bbin]

I enjoy walking without a destination, but need to make time to do this.
I need to find a job closer to home.
I don't miss all those extra things I was buying on the way to work before- snacks, coffees, more snacks...
Most people are good. I care a lot about others.

[Ghostlyglow]

I have wasted my life.

[GalesThisMorning]

That home is a lovely place to be and we dont spend enough time in it.
That I can grow vegetables.
That my kids are generally alright.
That I'm generally okay as long as I can get outside.
That I'm incredibly incredibly fortunate to live in such a beautiful place (Snowdonia).
That I'm incredibly fortunate full stop.

[AnotherEmma]

@Foxyloxy1plus1

Me too (apart from the clothes bit! I do need more )

[Ilovegreentomatoes]

How much money I used to waste and have enjoyed ppl having to keep their distance - pet hate was ppl to much in my personal space will be a shame if that goes back to normal.And haven't missed busy shopping centres one bit.

[Oblomov20]

That I haven't coped very well, with a new part time job, and my old part time job: not enough space of my own that I normally get. It's been awful. I have worked endless unpaid hours. No cleaning or relaxing has gone on here! I've been so incredibly miserable.
Can't wait for ds's to get back to school!

[OddshoesOddsocks]

I’m incredibly antisocial and it doesn’t be bother me at all!

I actually quite like my children and their company (especially dd2, she’s hilarious) and I was just too busy to see it before

Most of all that I’m a pretty good mum. I always doubted it as we all do and maybe ‘normal life’ me wasn’t a very good one but ‘lockdown me’ has gone above and beyond to makesure they’re schooled and happy and have had good birthdays etc. As awful as it sounds, I didn’t need to put the effort in so much before. They went to school, they were busy with friends and clubs and birthdays were just presents, cake absolutely a bog standard party with friends. When you’re stuck in the house you need to go the extra mile to make it special and it made me feel incredibly smug and pleased with myself which has NEVER happened before because I considered myself a shit mum

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

I'm very strong and I don't need a partner.

[Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches]

That I was really much too busy and much too tired.

That I’m actually not much of a tactile person at all!

[ssd]

Also I've got no career ambitions and probably never have. I just want enough to pay the bills and maybe have a coffee out now and then.

[Arcadia]

That I have less friends than I thought I had, but the friends that I do have are amazing.
That there are some really lovely people in my street.
That I'm basically lazy with the odd burst of activity.
That I will never get bored of walking.
That chocolate is essential.
That work is about more than earning money, it's feeling purposeful and useful.
That children are incredibly adaptable.
That people need each other.

I hope the world will learn from this but it's too early to say.

[yearinyearout]

That it doesn't take me long to get fat.

[autopilotpeach]

that i want to spend more time in my garden and been taking it for granted, and i want to make more effort with it, that online shopping is so much easier and quicker to pick up, its reminded me of my love for nature... been so much wildlife coming out in lockdown because it was quieter.. its as if the planet was trying to tell us something.. maybe to slow down the pace of life, be quieter more peaceful... and nature will come out.. the air would be cleaner and the planet would start healing itself slowly.. never going to happen..

[CompleteBarstool]

That I could quite happily not work and, instead, fill my time pottering at home doing little jobs around the house and garden.

That I find it quite a relief having a reason not to attend some social events or meet-ups.

That my teenagers are probably quite like me and don't feel the need to be with people all the time (providing they can still text/video call/play PS4 online) and that they like being at home

That I sleep better when I have no reason to set the alarm and get up in the morning

That I miss holidays and weekends away at the in-laws by the sea

[Shinebright72]

That I was spending a lot of money. Having no where to go has lead me to finishing my house off.

Set myself a goal to save!!

[ChicCroissant]

That the three of us (me, DH and DD) get on really well

My DH has discovered that being at home all the time is enjoyable - he's on furlough so not working and it's like a trial retirement for him (he thought he'd be bored but he's found lots to do).

That my neighbours are fab - we've always got on well anyway, now we all want a party when this is over!

[Glitters100]

@Ghostlyglow reading yours made me feel sad- are you ok?

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

That I bought a lot of crap I don't need.
That I would be happy to retire.
That I'm glad I married DH
That I haven't missed anyone.

[speakout]

Nothing actually!

[sadwithkiddies]

i also think I've wasted my life - I wish I could start over

but in reality.....
I need to speak to another adult daily
Realizing I am no-bodies priority has been so sad

This is the reality I think for many single parents in the UK.....

[Caplin]

Turns out I’m pretty resilient. I guess I knew it, but didn’t realise just how strong.

Got furloughed from a job that was killing my mental health, told I would probably be restrucured, found another (better) job, negotiated a quick exit and payment, started new job.

Then on day 1 of new job my dad called as my brother wouldn’t wake up, had to do CPR along with my sister, three days later he died in ICU. I had to organise his funeral in lockdown and become primary carer to my disabled dad, arranging his care package and supporting my mum (not married to my dad).

I am the person in my family who does the sensible stuff, the legal stuff, the organising. I guess in a way I am now the ‘head’ of the family in a way.

It has been tumultuous, but I’m more than surviving. Turns out I’m stronger than I imagined.

[Amberfest]

That I have loved being at home with just me and adult DC. That WFH is better than going into the office but I resent the time working takes from my life and bloody Teams meetings and can't wait until I retire (sadly 10 years away).

That I really don't enjoy going out to socialise - it is something `I feel I "should" do.

[MsTSwift]

That I married well.

That the local primary school Dd2 still
attends does not put children first despite the gushing and warm words.

[CorianderLord]

I drink too much and I haven't had a routine (when I wake up and go to bed) in 7 years.

I am changing this now after I managed a max of an hours sleep a night for four days. I felt like I was going to collapse.

[mizu]

I've realised chocolate is essential too.

And that I'm quite happy to be at home, going for walks, reading books, watching TV and pottering.
I'm WFH full time but there is a more relaxed air in the house.

Also realise I hated getting up at 6:15 in the morning.