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).

[PerfidiousAlbion]

It’s been lovely, mainly due to the peace and quiet.

Noise pollution and over-population have ruined this country.

[Lemonyfuckit]

I've enjoyed it a lot on large, but realise we've been very fortunate and it's been horrendous and tragic for many, and will have huge long term effects.

I've missed my family (going to visit them this weekend - hurray!) and do miss seeing friends for the odd night out, but I'm at heart a homebody and always felt like I 'should' go out more without necessarily wanting to, so having no pressure to rush here and there, and just be, has been wonderful. The best bit about it for me has been working from home and that looks to be continuing for quite some time for my company. No commute, and much more sleep. And then just generally although I've been busy, not being in the office has been wonderful for my stress and anxiety levels as I'm not that keen on my team or the dynamic.

DP and I have both been WFH and just generally rubbing along very well considering we've spent all day every day together in a small flat! It's been mostly more relaxed than normal.

Has definitely crystallised what we already knew though in that we can't wait to get out of the city and move to the country and hopefully have a garden.

I think for a lot of people it has brought home an enjoyment of a slightly simpler and less consumerist way of life.

[goodeyebrows]

I’ve loved lockdown. I’ve Darby a packet, got some free stuff, saved loads and My journey to and from work took half The time. I’ve also not been rushing around constantly on school runs and after school clubs and the whole household is just generally more relaxed.

[Lovely13]

Loved the peace and quiet. Bird song lovely. And seem to be more of them.No planes on holding pattern overhead was blissful. Roads quiet, except for the loonies making most to drive like maniacs in 20mph limits!

[LakieLady]

I'll be retiring this time next year, so despite WFH 17 hrs pw I've regarded this as a bit of a dummy run.

Apart from some issues with tech, I've enjoyed it. DP has been WFH too, but I scarcely see him. He's in the spare room, while I work downstairs, he's very disciplined and only comes down to make a coffee or have a bit of lunch.

I've been doing lots of reading, lots of gardening, spending too much time online (the internet is the thief of time imo) but also making meals that are complicated and time consuming, simply because I can.

I realise I'm very privileged though: no health worries apart from a dodgy knee, no children or parents to miss, no worries about our jobs and while we're far from loaded, no money worries.

For people trying to juggle WFH and homeschooling, suffering a drop in income, made redundant or worried they might be, people in unsuitable housing or having to shield because of health problems, unable to see children or other close family - it must be shit. Especially for single parents, who have no other adult to share the burden with.

We were a bit concerned about DGD, who's in reception. We thought she might miss school and/or get behind, but she's declared that she doesn't want to go back to school and prefers being at home with mummy. Her DM has been doing loads of reading with her, she's reading really well now and she's writing pretty well too. Now we're worried she'll be bored when she has to go back to school.

[LovelyIssues]

@Ginfordinner I agree. We worried far too much about "it's the weekend we should be taking our children to the zoo, cinema, out for dinner etc" like everyone else on Facebook. We came off social media and enjoy the simple things. Fishing, bike rides and cooking together. Making popcorn and bringing films, board games & painting. I will try my best to not go back to how it was before..

[aquashiv]

Yes once the fear calmed down.
I've really been able to pivot with work.
Loved listening and identifying the bird song. Developed a real love of gardening think I'm ready for retirement.

[Lucky2Be]

For me, I am still working (key worker) & so is my husband (but from home) we have 2 little girls & are definitely saving more money than ever. Was able to pay off my 1k credit card & the big bonus is, spending time with my girls having fun. Using the garden more than ever. Also being able to eat as a family every evening, hubby helping with bath time/chores & bedtime. 😊 Can't beat good old family time!

[3Blues]

Are you kidding?!

Three children, aged 10, 9 and 2. Working from home full time and covering furloughed colleagues, who are devastated about being furloughed and feeling incredibly insecure and worried that they're furloughed because they will be the first to be made redundant if it comes to that. So doing 5 peoples jobs, plus my own and looking after three boys who are devastated by lockdown, no school, no nursery and no friends. Fast forward to schools opening, kids not eligible to go back, nursery not opening and STILL working from home, doing 5 peoples jobs and looking after/home schooling/parenting 3 boys. Cannot take a break because, despite being not being furloughed, ALL staff had to take a 20% paycut and cannot take time off due to work priorities. So....I think it's safe to say...DID NOT enjoy lockdown, furloughed colleagues did not enjoy it due to uncertainty, which for most is ongoing, and half the company is up for redundancy, whether they were furloughed or not (I'm lucky here...not directly affected) so potentially some worked their arses off during lockdown, to be made redundant at the end of it and to try to find a job in an employers, flooded, market.

What a bloody insensitive, POS post OP. IMO - if you enjoyed people working to the bone, people worrying about their jobs and people dying...then yes, you are right..some enjoyed lockdown

[CorianderLord]

I just liked the lack of a commute tbh

[Starlightstarbright1]

@Monkeynuts18

I think the bottom line is that people have really enjoyed being paid not to work. And who can blame them, it’s a good life. But it isn’t sustainable unfortunately.

I have worked through out but still found what does and doesn’t work for me and reassessed life .

You are right there are many who have struggled and it isn’t sustainable.

[CorianderLord]

@Monkeynuts18 I've worked full time all through, including some weekends, I've still enjoyed it because I didn't have to battle the tube at 6.30am every day.

And I had a pay cut too 🙄

[U2HasTheEdge]

I have hated lockdown. The first week was OK as I was on A/L and I had the time to do nice things around the house and spend time with my family.

Working from home was/is horrendous. I work in the community, so doing phone calls, day in and day out, shut in a stuffy bedroom was not good at all. My neighbour's kids were out all day making noise, my children were making noise, it was not ideal. I would have preferred to be furloughed.

I missed the ease of just going to the shops without having to queue or have people look at you if you go anywhere near them. I hated not seeing my mum for ages or my friends.

I don't feel an obligation or any pressure to be social in my spare time if I don't want to be.

I missed having the choice how to spend my spare time. It hasn't made me reassess my life at all.

I am now spending less time WFH which has improved my mood greatly.

[Thesispieces]

Loved not having to taxi the children around to all their clubs. Dreading it all starting again. Deciding which clubs to ditch before they start again

[U2HasTheEdge]

BTW- I should add, that I know I am lucky to be in a secure job, and for many people being furloughed has been nothing but a source of worry.

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

I enjoyed it for the first 6ish weeks of being lazy at weekends (worked throughout)

And eating what ever I wanted as I was feeding my anxiety

Now wish I hadn’t eaten so much as clothes ate a bit tight

[Mothership4two]

A lot of my (female) friends have said they felt less anxious and/or stressed during lockdown even with CV worries. Although there are people who can ramp up the pressure in any situation.

I enjoyed being with my family, which would obviously have been a totally different experience if one or both of my kids lived away from home. I don't know how people on their own coped - I am happy in my own company but that would have got to me. Having to make do with what you've got and just not be able to do certain things was actually good for me. If I hadn't been worried sick about my parents, it would have been a fairly positive experience for me.

[Leflic]

What a bloody insensitive, POS post OP. IMO - if you enjoyed people working to the bone, people worrying about their jobs and people dying...then yes, you are right..some enjoyed lockdown hmm

It’s not insensitive - you are (rightly) over sensitive to lockdown. You can see from many pages that for some it’s been a godsend and other a pleasant relief. Maybe as it woukd have been for you if you weren’t worked to the bone.
On a more general level it’s been great for the environment , pollution levels including litter and things like street crime.
As for “enjoying people dying” that’s a ridiculous thing to presume.Do people constantly worry about those with terminal illness until it directly affects them?
The very few people I know who got Covid 19 Including one on a ventilator and a very sick man in a care home all recovered. Should I pleased or is that insensitive because others didn’t make it.
And I’m not having a go really because I would hate being in your position too and can see why you hated it,

[vanillandhoney]

What a bloody insensitive, POS post OP. IMO - if you enjoyed people working to the bone, people worrying about their jobs and people dying...then yes, you are right..some enjoyed lockdown hmm

I think you're taking the thread a little personally!

Some people struggled but that doesn't mean others aren't allowed to have enjoyed themselves and found benefits in lockdown.

[Ginfordinner]

Leflic Although pollution from road vehicles is down we have had an increase in littering, especially in beauty spots and other areas where young people congregate to drink and take drugs - empty NO cannisters, bottles and cans.

[InvincibleInvisibility]

@Ginfordinner

Thank you thats what I meant! There are no rules saying you have to take kids to X number of clubs a week then do playdates and zoo/cinema/restaurants every werkend. How exhausting!

My DC started with 1 club each once a week, at a time that suited us and this year we added in 1 more for Dc1 but only after carefully working out how to integrate it into our lives without it being another burden (DH takes him and does the fruit and veg and other fresh shopping whilst waiting).

[InvincibleInvisibility]

As well PPs mention buying less crap and less social posturing. This didn't need a lockdown to stop.

As I said in an earlier post - at the beginning of the year I was getting stressed again - worked out that my internet orders were actually making life more complicated cos I cant guarantee I'll be in and instead have to trek across town to various different places to pick up parcels. So I stopped them or planned delivery more carefully.

[Goingdownto]

Well there's a plus too - I'm always in now when the postman comes

[SellFridges]

Not rushing around is great, and the calmer weekends have been welcome.

That said, I would love to just go somewhere alone, and make social plans with friends that don’t involve a garden or a walk.

And frankly trying to home school (or even just keep alive) two primary aged children while working from home full time is fucking hard and I am extremely angry about the way children have been treated. I am taking unpaid leave for part of the summer so they’re not neglected for seven whole weeks.

[Isthisreallylife]

I really enjoyed the feeling of less pressure and panic. (Besides the panic buying of loo rolls!) A much calmer general feeling and more appreciation of simple things like watching the weather, walks and noticing neighbours posters. Less rushing about and friendships made (initially through windows etc) but I’ve noticed children really appreciating life instead of being rushed from school to a class to a group back home thru homework etc
A time to reflect!