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).

[Wincher]

I do think in years to come I will look back and enjoy the time we had off the endless treadmill of busyness for a few weeeks in our children’s childhood. No dashing around to clubs, wraparound care, committee meetings in the evenings. For the first year ever I saw spring arriving day by day through walking in the woods every day. But then again WFH has been really hard, my team has almost imploded, and combining work and home schooling has been really tough. I’m enjoying beginning to get back to normality, one child back at school, being able to meet friends in their gardens for drinks. It’s been crazy but I think I will look back with rose tinted spectacles. I hope so anyway!

[Redlocks30]

It’s been great here. DH and I have both worked as before-me actually in work, and him WFH, so luckily no loss in income but my journey in has been lovely and quiet and DH has saved a fortune on tube fares and time in commuting. We’ve had plenty of virtual nights in with friends which has been really fun with the bonus of not having to tidy up afterwards like you would if you had people round. Done DIY, sorted the garden and read loads of books.

We haven’t had to see my in laws either which has been wonderful!

[tunnocksreturns2019]

“I've worked full time throughout with primary school aged children at home. It's been absolutely shit. I have enjoyed not having to commute and not having to spend my evenings and weekends ferrying kids to sport, but not enough to offset the misery that has been trying to home school them combined with working full time.”

This.

[echt]

I'm about to re-enter six weeks of lockdown

The conditions are not strict as the UK about exercise so that's good.
I really do not like teaching online at all; even though all my lesson are live, you can't read the room, do all the quick checks to gauge understanding.

An upside has been that the restaurants being closed, then SD-opened, has meant that avocados have been very cheap. Every cloud.. 🥑

[beatrixpotterspencil]

@user1965785412

people who've enjoyed lockdown probably need to examine why they were living the wrong life before

Because society is not set up in a way that is normally accessible for me without causing me harm. Suddenly that changed and I was able to experience what life is like when you're not continually being beaten down and harmed by systems and processes and ignorant people who don't value you enough to meet your needs as someone with a disability.

So actually I would say you're the privileged one if life was better and easy for you before. Rather than blaming others how about you keep your resentment about the tables being turned to yourself eh.

christ, I haven't been in this position but a close friend has, and I know exactly what you mean, it has been like she can breathe again. the system is dire.

[labyrinthloafer]

Have really enjoyed some aspects, especially coming more and eating together all the time. It was good for me not being able to buy my usual food as I was previously a bit uptight about it and had got very stuck in a pattern.

I have found myself getting more calm, less bored. I was worried my brain was going to mush but I think I am just more ok with having nothing to do.

Do you think this is just a bit how people used to live, lots of time in the family home and a few bits of time out?

[labyrinthloafer]

Ha, coming more should read cooking more!

[LemonadeAndDaisyChains]

@SepticTankYank

Homeschooling has also been an absolute shit show. Stig of the dump lives in my house and sometimes I feed her

Lol, I can relate.
I started out all "ooh, plan shiny lesson timetables every night!" That lasted a fair while but now it's gone a bit to shit and he's getting up around 11am and doing the bare minimum lol.
No haircut for about 4 months so now resembling shaggy dog and into actual clothes and dressed by lunch if lucky

[whysotriggered]

Once I got used to socialising virtually and didn't feel guilty about waking up later, I would say that I've largely enjoyed it. My family have also luckily did not struggle with it, enjoying the slower pace of life. Both my kids had good online provision so I didn't have to worry too much about that side and they just got on with it including doing joe wicks every day. I also found time to do regular daily exercise whereas before never had the time! I watched streamed plays I never got the chance to see live in the theatre and read more books. And most bizarrely spoken to friends I only saw once a month on a weekly basis via Zoom!

[Bouledeneige]

Some things I've really enjoyed. Not commuting into central London is one of them. Not having to dress up and do more than minimal make up. Living in trackies. Having more time for listening to birdsong, sitting in the garden and the extensive company of my late teen kids. Walks with friends and enjoying my local environment - woods and walks.

I've really liked having the kids around but I really feel for them missing out on their hyper social clubbing university and end of school life. Its not how it should be. Its a blessing and of course, a loss.

But I have missed having variety in my life and seeing a wider pool of my friends, and doing wider things things - like swimming, going to the cinema, art galleries, cafes and restaurants, wider travel.

[disgruntled515]

I've enjoyed the quiet, I've saved 2 hours a day on a stressful train commute and have taken up running. But as others have said I don't think it's terribly good for me as it gives me an excuse to shut myself off from society and indulge my tendency to depression

[ssd]

@labyrinthloafer

Have really enjoyed some aspects, especially coming more and eating together all the time. It was good for me not being able to buy my usual food as I was previously a bit uptight about it and had got very stuck in a pattern.

I have found myself getting more calm, less bored. I was worried my brain was going to mush but I think I am just more ok with having nothing to do.

Do you think this is just a bit how people used to live, lots of time in the family home and a few bits of time out?

I feel calmer too and even though I'm at home a lot more I'm not half as bored as I thought I'd be.

[Miserablemoan]

I was just getting used to it and starting to appreciate aspects of it when it started easing!
I found trying to work from home whilst homeschooling 2 kids who hate each other very challenging.
We usually spend a lot of time with friends and it was hard not seeing them and even harder to see some of them enjoying themselves without seeming to ‘need’ us like we needed them (I haven’t admitted that before!)

[GiraffesAreBeautiful]

@NotShiny ditto

[JamesNesbittsBrows]

My dc have struggled as they miss school and friends.
I have loved the slower pace, chance to do hobbies and sort out the garden and DIY jobs. I'm amazed at how few people I've missed

[beatrixpotterspencil]

the plus points for me:

I got into yoga.
I finally became vegetarian after years of provaricarting.
I relinquished any kind of guilt about lazing around watching YouTube/netflix.
I learned a lot about myself.
I realised that many things I aspired to were meaningless.

the low points:
I missed being able to visit other places at a whim.
I couldn't learn to drive or do many things that I had planned for this year.
I have earned less, sporadically.
I drank more and gained weight (now fixed).
I watched on, over the internet, how people's lives were fucked by this.

[ShopTattsyrup]

I was still out working so no real change for me - apart from my commute halved in time due to no traffic and we got free onsite parking due to lots working from home and no visitors (NHS) which was nice.

We've missed seeing friends and doing things/going out, we were planning on Green Man and some camping weekends which it's really sad that we haven't got to do and we're looking forward to doing again once things improve. We've both missed our families massively too - I've not seen mine since Christmas! On the flip side my partner would usually work away from home at very short notice several times a week (works in the media) so it's been lovely having him home every night!!

One thing that we will carry on though is we've discovered lots of lovely places to walk fairly close to us. (Used to drive off for a day of walking) We'd probably not have used those walks otherwise

[beatrixpotterspencil]

prevaricating

[NellMangel]

I enjoy it.

Mornings before were alarm, rush round, get DC ready, me ready, breakfast club, traffic, work. That was 2 hours of my day gone.

Now I dont have to set an alarm. I spend quality(ish) time with DC. My friends occasionally arrange online meetups whereas previously I couldn't make it to the pub. Life is simple and I like the slow pace.

It has made me reassess things. My ideal would be to home work permanently. Maybe more employers will be open to that.

[Foxyloxy1plus1]

I’m going against the flow. I’ve hated it and feel trapped. There are a couple of medical procedures I should have had that are getting worse and no prospect of them being treated any time soon.

Just unpleasant and horrid and hateful.

[Aramox]

Absolutely sick of my small family of three, my very grumpy isolated teen, and can’t face another eight weeks til school starts. My office is closed til spring at least too. I miss clothes and crowds and music.

[DreamersBall]

It's just made me feel very very alone

[jessstan2]

I've found it quite therapeutic.

[isntthatnice]

I'm now back at work but lockdown made me realise that I work too much just to survive.
I've loved spending time with my children and being the mother I have always wanted to be. I'm now back doing 11 hour shifts 5 days a week and I'm so sad

[justgoingforanap]

I've loved it. Having someone to share it with would be even better though. So that's my goal.