to think some of us enjoyed lockdown because

[beatrixpotterspencil]

we realised there was more to life than social obligations and work?

for clarification, this isn't neccesarily how I see it, but I have been reading a discussion about it and wanted to hear what others thought. I'm on the fence, personally

less pollution, less commuting, bosses not hanging over your head, less exhaustion, less of the treadmill lifestyle, less social posturing, less consuming crap we don't need, etc.

and more time with loved ones (only for some though), more time to read, learn, explore, self improvement, choosing own hours, working to own rhythm, etc.

this is a theoretic question really, about what we really want, and what has lockdown done to change how you perceive your life?
would a life without work be better, more humane?
the dole sure isn't fun, nor should it be considered a choice, and there's no other way to survive unless very well off.

(wish to add here that I know millions have not had the luxury of enjoying the lockdown, many have not altered their working life, and many are ill, afraid of redundancy, homelessness, anxious... and worse, those who have passed away).

I’m definitely considering it.

I wonder why people who are enjoying lockdown didn't take time before to adjust their lives to be more enjoyable?

We did. I had a burnout a few years ago and so reassessed everything. Every decision since then we have made keeping in mind that we want to enjoy life more. Im not saying our usual lives aren't busy and stressful - they are. But we've introduced fun elements like carving permanent time out for exercise, for playing with DC, for seeing family etc. We live in a smaller flat in the centre of a city rather than in a larger house to reduce our commute times.

We have limited the activities of young DC so we're not treking all over the place every day.

We plan weekends away to escape the city (and make up for not having a garden).

This year was starting to get tough again so I adjusted some things at work to help.

Lockdown has been awful. 2 parents WFH. 2 DC needing homeschooling but not at all independent. Cooking, cleaning etc. And no enjoyable hobbies.

I think everyone knew that didn't they? Most people have to work though. You know, put food on the table and a roof over their heads, that non-essential guff.

Invisible I think you've answered it yourself - you had a burnout. It often takes something "big" to happen as a catalyst for change. The lockdown is that thing for some people.

Very few people have the money and privilege (good health, etc.) to be able to quit their jobs and go become yoga instructors or open a beach bar or something. Most people are trapped in the hamster wheel of life and only coping day to day.

I wonder why people who are enjoying lockdown didn't take time before to adjust their lives to be more enjoyable?

Well, I don't know many people who could just stop working and still manage to feed themselves and their families, pay bills etc.

Furlough has given a lot of people a very rare chance to have a chunk of paid time off, something that would never happen normally.

I didn't stop work at all. I made a list of things that would make life more fun then sat down and worked out how to integrate them into my life.

Simple example - every Sunday I go swimming when the pool opens at 9am. That is the priority for my family as I put them first the rest of the time. Then DH joins me with the DC for playing together. But my time comes first.

I’ve really enjoyed it. I think I may have been burning out a before, I was certainly stressed, anxious and bit a depressed which I haven’t been since even with the risk of redundancy hanging over my head.

It’s the first time I’ve ever been able to slow down. Even at school I commuted and often worked weekends from age 13, worked through Uni and went straight into work, no gaps in 12-13 years apart from annual leave.

The silver linings for me have been that I’ve gotten back into reading and painting, I’ve had space to really considered what I want to do with the ready of me life, feel really validated in my relationship choice by how my partner has been and how well we’ve been getting on during lockdown and with uncertainly looming, and I have got my old position back which I enjoyed and might even get to go back part time which would allow me to study as well.

I wonder why people who are enjoying lockdown didn't take time before to adjust their lives to be more enjoyable?

What an odd question! A bit like saying "I wonder why people who won the lottery didn't buy a mansion and a sports car before if that's what they like!". People can't normally just choose to stop going to work (or choose to continue to be paid 80% of their salary while not going to work)!

My lockdown has been enjoyable because a) dh and I were not at work and the dc were liking being at home and b) we could still afford to live as normal because dh was on full salary. Not because I have 'adjusted my life'. I've done all the stuff I normally do, I've just had a lot more time to do it!

Because it wasn’t possible! It’s not bloody rocket science.

@InvincibleInvisibility

I didn't stop work at all. I made a list of things that would make life more fun then sat down and worked out how to integrate them into my life.

Again, not everyone can manage to do things like that.

Some people need to work two jobs just to make ends meet.
Some people are single parents and don't have someone else to pick up the slack. They can't afford a babysitter or regular childcare either.
They need to be home at the weekends to look after their children as their partner is working or they're on their own.

It's great that you managed to turn your life around so that you were able to do other things, but surely you can understand that not everyone has that luxury whilst still needing to work and pay bills?

I wonder why people who are enjoying lockdown didn't take time before to adjust their lives to be more enjoyable?

Not everyone can!

Surely that isn’t difficult to comprehend

YANBU

God no. I am working at least 5 hours extra a day plus juggling childcare as a single parent. Not seen my partner since March as his mum is extremely high risk and living with him after visiting in March. Exhausted x

I can’t say I have. My husband has worked for 12 weeks away from home. Both sets of parents in vulnerable category. My father was diagnosed with cancer 6 weeks ago and I’m unable to be with him or my mum through it. My son had ASD and have lost all respite care since March. I’m up at 4 am every day with him and it’s 24/7 care needed. I’m so tired it’s unreal

We honestly have loved it

I love not doing the school run and I was lucky in that my kids school were great and the remote learning was superb - I didn't have to get involved (they are 10 & 12).
I’ve sorted loads out, the garden looks great, we’re all chilled, rediscovered jigsaws! Read loads, binged box sets. It’s been, for us, a beautiful time.

For me it's been mostly positive.

As a keyworker my life has been mostly normal and I've had more time to relax, no social obligations, not so much housework (no one is visiting), I've spent more time with the family and as I've been at home I've spent my money sorting my finances out.

Walking into a wall of fear every day at work was shit but the rest has been fine.

Depends on your circumstances...we are working flat out from home while having to homeschool at the same time. Its exhausting and can be very frustrating but I am grateful that we are in jobs we love and are getting to spend more time with the kids. That said, I do miss date night with my husband (still do that at home, but its just not the same) and I miss my family, friends and work colleagues.

I do feel like we had set up life the way we'd wanted before lockdown - it was easy and comfortable and lockdown doesn't provide us with that luxury as homeschooling restricts us

I've loved it. Homeschooling has been really hard, especially with my 5 year old son, despite me being a former teacher but on the whole I've loved it and the children haven't missed school at all. I have enjoyed not having FOMO and feeling like we had to achieve something every weekend. I've also enjoyed thinking about what I buy and when. Going to a shop just once a week was enlightening indeed.

I wonder why people who are enjoying lockdown didn't take time before to adjust their lives to be more enjoyable?

I am obviously reading that in a completely different way to most of the posters on here.
You can't change work or school commitments, but the number of posts from people feeling free from social obligations and running children around to after school activities are things that can be changed.

I've absolutely loved it. My mental health is the best it's been for years. I know some people have felt the opposite but I feel great working from home..no nastiness in the office..no having to chat shit with colleagues to be polite. No 2 hour train commute. Didn't realise how much it affected my depression, I've always been a keep going kinda person, you'll get through it etc. But realise how that was making me worse. Also being at home with my lovely partner has just been bliss. Shutting the world out is brilliant as far as I'm concerned!

We were able to get so much done. Things crossed off the twelve year “to do” list! The downside for us is our daughter who moved countries for a job after leaving uni, wasn’t and still isn’t able to come home.

She is working from her home base since late March, so is in self isolation and not a health threat to anyone. If she had known earlier, she could have stayed here and worked from home.