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).

[shrill]

For my young AC I'm v concerned about their futures. Home working from such a young age is not a positive experience mentally. Every single aspect of their lives went online quickly and while comfortable with that it will make face to face interaction harder.

For me it has allowed me to escape social obligations but I know long term while I'd love to not go out I must make myself not stay inside.

[psychomath]

I've really disliked being off work actually, which surprised me. Think I've had the opposite experience to most people though - I was very worried about my job during the first few months of lockdown, but in recent weeks it's become clear that it's safe for the foreseeable, so all this is finally starting to feel more like an extended holiday than the start of a bleak and uncertain future. Also at the beginning I wasn't able to see anyone at all and wasn't sure how long that would last (not helped by all the nutters on here predicting two year lockdowns!) and obviously that side of things is a lot less restricted now. I'm looking forward to things getting back to normal but not in such a desperate crazy way as I was.

Can't really say I've learned anything profound, or thought of anything I particularly want to change about my life. My life before was fine and I intend to go back to doing all the same stuff as soon as I can.

[iffymiffy]

I have a lot of health problems. I wasn’t ‘living the wrong life’ before - I was living a life where I constantly missed out on things.

Lockdown was very good for me personally but I realise others differ.

[Ishihtzuknot]

I agree I have enjoyed the time at home, not rushing for school run and work, just spending time with my family stress - free. My skin has improved, I finally got decent sleep and my (untreated) ocd wasn’t as bad as pre lockdown. My children were happier and less tired, apart from missing friends they were pleased to be off school. I think I will miss it when life gets back to normal as harsh as it sounds. I won’t take little things for granted again and I’ve realised I can manage without certain friends/family.

[beatrixpotterspencil]

weirdly I realise from reading many of these comments that I was living how I wanted to before. I didn't know this at the time, and I had a lot of complains, so I need to do a real rethink.

it seems to be a mixed bag.
I was reading a thread on reddit, where the majority have loved the lockdown. I do wonder how many of them are very financially secure or else living with parents.

[psychomath]

Many extroverts have apparently hated lockdown. Good. Now they have an understanding of how introverts feel the rest of the time, because society forces us to conform to their rules.

I'd describe myself as an introvert too but I'm really sick of hearing this. People have been kept apart from their close friends and family during a time that's already extremely stressful for many. Some have lost loved ones and not been able to grieve together. People have been driven to suicide because they're isolated and don't have access to their usual mental health support, whether professional or from their usual support network.

So no, it's not a case of enduring the same hardships that introverts do in normal times. Because as far as I was aware, declining a social invitation has never been made illegal with police instructed to enforce this

[beatrixpotterspencil]

I wonder how many people have discovered that they hate their job?

this comment on reddit really made me think:

I am enjoying it. Sure, I want some of my old life back, but I'm not going to feel bad about staying safe at home. Maybe it's time to reevaluate the way we go about our jobs if a significant portion of people are forced into their homes because of a pandemic but still feel happier than they did in the rat race.

[psychomath]

I'm quite surprised at how many people have suddenly discovered that they hate their jobs thanks to lockdown. I've had some rubbish jobs in my time and was always very much aware of how much I hated them!

[PragmaticWench]

Quite frankly, it's been fucking HORRIFIC!!

Both working from home whilst trying to home school young children so we've had to work most evenings and weekends.

I am absolutely fine that two terminally ill parents , a very ill dog and building works are an extra that most people haven't had to deal with. However just the basics of both working at home plus home schooling have been exhausting and dreadful.

I don't resent people's much easier circumstances but I very much resent them moaning about it.

[Carouselfish]

As a mum - great to have unexpected quality time with my 5 year old but also gutted she's missed her reception year when she was loving it so far.
As a teacher - great to not have the commute or the behavioural problems that can interfere with learning. Teaching online has been rather fab!
As a daughter - scary as I don't want my mum to get ill.

[namechangetheworld]

Can't lie, it's been bloody lovely in our house. I'm at home anyway but DH has been furloughed so able to spend lots of time with Reception age DD and toddler DD. Had plenty of time to do much needed jobs around the house and garden. Lots of time to read stories and play board games. Lots of walks around the village. Lots of time to just...be.

And the best part - not seeing the in-laws for three whole months!

[HollaHolla]

I’ve found it pretty awful, on the converse. I live alone, and went 13 weeks without touching another human. I worked 12-14 hour days at home, as the changes were relentless; and we’re managing workload around those who are absent through illness, and those who are working reduced hours due to caring responsibilities. I also have a disability, and haven’t been able to access the family help I usually get. I’ve found it exceptionally tough. I can’t wait to get back to seeing people - and going to the office.

[2018SoFarSoGreat]

it has been a very mixed bag for me.

Pros:

Sleeping much better - used to get up quite early and never felt I had an evening (out the door at 7, back at 7) but now sleep in most days, it is blissful!
More time with my lovely DH
Have enjoyed my own company, which I had not had much opportunity to do in a long while (had years of working away M-F, and staying in hotels - I liked my company then)
Can just get up and take a walk when I feel like it, without having to be interrupted by visitors to my office every five minutes

Cons:

Work is crazy, busier than ever, and I think I work harder, more sustained hours than in the office
Miss my colleagues - the fun and the support and the help
Miss having my DGS's stay over (or even get a cuddle)
No time to do all of the baking, cleaning, sorting out, DIY and gardening I read about - that makes me just a little envious!
Fear. Constant low level anxiety and fear that one of my loved ones will get sick.

I realize that I'm in a very good place - financially stable, plenty of space so not in each other's hair, etc. I feel awful for everyone in small flats, no garden, DC to home school, and then to fit work in there somehow. I can't even imagine how hard that is. Kudos to all of you who have managed this and are still half sane.

[flumposie]

I started off enjoying the 'novelty'. But now Ive realised I'm not suited to working from home at all. I'm a teacher and even if I had another job I'd hate working from home. The lack of a boundary between home and work when it's every day is too much. Plus teaching from home is just nonsense. Throw in having to help my daughter with her school work, a family bereavement, an elderly parent in hospital who I've not seen for months- I'm utterly sick of it.

[Allmyeye]

I’ve loved it. So much less stress. I’ve often thought that if Sunday’s were like they used to be no shops etc open so we had one calm wind down day each week the population’s mental health/stress levels might be better.

[beatrixpotterspencil]

funny thing is, what is actually stopping us from having that one, calm down day per week?
can't we create our own old fashioned Sunday?

how many people were performing socially from pressure, competition, being on the hamster wheel?

apart from work and child responsibilities, what are we 'forced' to do?

[beatrixpotterspencil]

@Allmyeye I agree.
I feel that there is this pervading issue in the uk, and possibly in many places, that to be even remotely idle amounts to some sort of moral bankruptcy.

people take pride in working themselves to death.
ive seen threads I the past where people appear to compete for how many days work they've done whilst unwell, as if taking time to recuperate is tantamount to becoming a 'scrounger'.

its dreadful, our work ethic has gone too far.
id say we need a shorter working week. more quality time for mental health.

[mrsunicorn1807]

I've enjoyed it. I'm a key worker within the care sector but WFH and DP is furloughed till at least end of august atm (he works in live events lol...)

It's allowed me to take stock of things we did before that I wouldn't necessarily go back to eg gym and cinema memberships. I'm an introvert at heart and haven't missed going out one bit.

We are living with my parents atm which has had its own set of difficulties as it's a fairly small house but it's more manageable having my fiancé with me, if I had been in the same situation but by alone with them I would imagine I would have cracked weeks ago!

We've had downsides too, our wedding being postponed and I'm supposed to be on my honeymoon atm but it's all relative, I'm happy being at home long term and it's making me reevaluate my job.

[theendoftheworldasweknowit]

There's a lot about lockdown that is just shit. I'm not going to list what those things are, because they involve the deaths of people dear to me, and I don't want to say anything more than that, or it will set me off.

There have also been some good things.

And some interesting things.

I've realised that I've coped with lockdown because I'm on my own, not despite I'm on my own. I suspect this means I'm looking at being single for the rest of my life... I don't want to share this space with anyone.

[labyrinthloafer]

@AgeLikeWine

Lockdown has shown us what life would be like if introverts got to make the rules.

Working from home wherever possible.
Strictly limited social contact.
More time at home with immediate family.
Less need for external validation based on consumerism & status symbols.
Much less pressure to conform to social ‘norms’ dictated by extroverts.

Many extroverts have apparently hated lockdown. Good. Now they have an understanding of how introverts feel the rest of the time, because society forces us to conform to their rules.

I agree with this.

[PaperMonster]

I have absolutely loved not doing the commute and all the driving my job entails. I have hated being stuck in the house trying to chase people for them to do their work, completing umpteen spreadsheets to justify my existence and having to account for every single minute of the day, whilst simultaneously helping my daughter to do her schoolwork. As much as I have missed people, I have also missed the time I usually have to myself. I am loathing the insomnia I have developed which is severely impacting upon my ability to function both as an employee and as a parent.

[labyrinthloafer]

@psychomath

Many extroverts have apparently hated lockdown. Good. Now they have an understanding of how introverts feel the rest of the time, because society forces us to conform to their rules.

I'd describe myself as an introvert too but I'm really sick of hearing this. People have been kept apart from their close friends and family during a time that's already extremely stressful for many. Some have lost loved ones and not been able to grieve together. People have been driven to suicide because they're isolated and don't have access to their usual mental health support, whether professional or from their usual support network.

So no, it's not a case of enduring the same hardships that introverts do in normal times. Because as far as I was aware, declining a social invitation has never been made illegal with police instructed to enforce this

And I also agree with this! So now I feel confused

[Worrysaboutalot]

I am grateful for being locked down, as I have been unwell recently. Having my husband home has made all the difference between being able to get me to my frequent hospital appointments (I have been told my by consultant that I cannot drive for medical reasons).

Plus as he doesn't have his daily commute he has been able to take over most of the housework which I am unable to do.

Lastly I have the emotional support with having the children home 24/7. If not for lockdown, I would of been sat on my own all day, no company and with no way of leaving the house.

On the negative side, I am shielding from Covid and if I caught it, I would not be able to fight it off, as my medical treatment has made me immune supressed.

So that has increased my fear of leaving the house. So I have only been out to hospital appointments since March.

[MadCatLady71]

Personally, as someone who is at the highly introverted end of the spectrum, I bloody LOVED lockdown. Being free of the obligation to socialise and be amongst people all the time was fantastic. Being able to have text chats with friends on WhatsApp without them inevitably ending with a suggestion that we meet up was a huge relief. I don’t drink so have no interest in pubs, there were wonderful streamed theatre and concerts to watch, the Hay Festival was online (far better than fighting the crowds), I caught up on loads of reading and just felt less stressed and more relaxed. For a while there was even less traffic, you could hear the birds singing and the whole world felt more peaceful. Really, the only thing I missed was swimming pools being open.

I’m not trying to be controversial - I know that for the majority it was a hugely difficult time. And I know the world has to get back to normal as quickly as possible. But for those of us who find that being around other people drains our energy rather than energises us (and who didn’t have the worry of being especially vulnerable nor children underfoot) it was a bit of a blessed respite.

[PollyPelargonium52]

I was hard up for much of it but I am cashing in a pension now. However I have no desire to start spending or wasting money again. I have enjoyed taking careful to a new level and am not into socialising anyway. Now even less so! I have also done so much tidying up and throwing out stuff it feels good.