To ask if lockdown has given you any personal insights or revelations?

[Everythingnotsaved]

Mine is that I have realised that DP of 21 years is a complete knob and I don’t think. I can bear to spend any more years with him 😬 I disagree with pretty much everything he does particularly with parenting decisions. It’s been a claustrophobic, toxic time in our house 🙈

Aibu to ask for any revelations you have had?

Mine was very similar to yours OP. But if trouble ahead I think but it's got to be done.

That I always thought I was very career focused but actually, being at home with my family is amazing and I really don’t need to earn as much money or spend so much time working.

I was surprised we got on so well, maybe only one argument a day, so pretty much as normal

One argument a day???! That’s so much!! I’d be so stressed if DH and I argued every day

That when someone has been telling you for many years that they're too busy to do something, because of the demands of work, that actually they're full of shit. Work stops for three months but they're still "too busy", aye right.

I realized how much I adore my children. I knew it already but seeing them together and how close they and we are is really lovely .
Of course there’s been hard times but we have shared a lot together, we share so many memories and those are the things I will take going forward. I appreciate the many happy moments we have.
We have each other and that’s really nice at a time like this .

I’ve lost both parents over last couple of years and there’s something massive about the realisation that they missed this. Makes me really glad they didn’t live/die through it and worry about us and the world generally. I feel thankful they didn’t know about this. Then I realise they really are gone and I think it’s kind of helped fast track some long grief stuff. Increase the distance in a way and the pandemic helps with any unspoken feelings of ‘I wish they hadn’t died’ which linger. Haven’t quite worked this out but it is profound somehow. Haven’t described it well . . .

I really hate my neighbours; I basically can't use my garden or sit with my windows open most of the time because they're so noisy.
Lockdown has cemented for me that I did pick a good DH! So glad we have no children. Not having to commute every day has been much better for my mental health.

I've also realised how much I touch my face. Me too!!!

Also realised how much I love foreign travel and have hated being stuck in the UK for so long. I haven't always lived here and I have found it really tough.

Other than that, I pretty much loved lockdown life

I really hate my neighbours; I basically can't use my garden or sit with my windows open most of the time because they're so noisy.

Same! I actually love it when it rains as they stay in! Maybe we need some sort of noisy neighbours support club.

I think I have also realised I am more introverted than I ever thought! But I value the company of some really good friends- others who I thought were friends aren’t actually at all. It’s been an interesting time!!

I thought that I had got my mental health under control and it was apparent pretty quickly that I don’t. I have been anxious and depressed about absolutely everything since the beginning and despite seeking help, I’m not really getting better and I don’t know how to start living again.

@TumbledGlass..Just be sure work stopped doesn't mean their life got easier or less busy

@LioneIRichTea yes a safe space to rant so I don't climb over their fence in the night, get their barbecue and lob it through a window! I would not really do that.
It's too heavy.

That meal Planning saves a crazy amount of money and waste... yup obvious I know!!!

Sorry to read that Op.

For me, I have realised how much I value my office banter (we are mixing WFH and in the office, but very few of us at a time) also conversely, how important time alone is to me. I usually get this swimming, running (have been running with DD which is nice but obvs not alone) or, randomly, taking ds2 to sports stuff and waiting for him while reading or just having a, coffee. That at least has started up again (distanced training sessions) and I am enjoying it. It surprised me how much I missed it as my DC are big so not really annoying!

That being at home most of the time and not going out to work is disastrous for my mental health.

That I absolutely will retire from nursing at 55, and start to spend my money and travel.

@heronLanyon, I get what you are saying. Loss on top of loss. Grief on top on grief.

Definitely that I am a complete introvert and am happy never seeing lots of the people in my life.
That I can work a 60 hour week for work with no appreciation, but if I make one small mistake due to tiredness it will sure as hell be thrown straight into my face.

That the person I've been working for is a complete twat, has stolen some of my ideas & passed them off as their own and treated me really poorly. I've already found another, more stable job as a result.

That my DP's mental health ebbs and flows, and it's hard knowing we're heading for a downturn, and knowing the impact that's going to have.

That my DD is really resilient, and a lovely, clever, kindhearted kid.

That I need to get fit.

That I miss being alone very much.

That I love my normal life and want it back ASAP And that I don't want to do more (Any)
housework

@tinydancer88

Made me realise I am quite happy with a slower quieter pace of life and the little things like going for walks, cooking proper meals, and getting enough sleep make a massive difference to how you feel.

Same here.

Also that being an introvert certainly has it strengths at the moment.

I get anxiety. I've realised that the school run was really setting it off, more than I realised. I also realised that the less I go out, the harder it is to go out, but weirdly, driving (which was a real anx trigger before I had my own car and drove regularly) remains something that makes me feel better now. I thought I would have needed to do a lot of work to get back to my former level of comfort, but it's still very freeing for me. I realised I don't need to see people, at all, and that my husband is the same. And my kid too, though I am keeping an eye on that because he still needs to socialise.

Enjoy every day. If you want to do something, do it don’t put it off. I’ve Fallen in love with my husband all
over again, whatever life throws at us, he always says don’t worry we’ll deal with it and he always does. How hard my son works as a teacher working from home. How adaptable my daughter is. Lockdown hasn’t been disastrous for us as a family.

I have worked very hard on my 2 part time jobs. I regret working so hard for my new boss, of 1 job, in the last 4 months when she doesn't appreciate me.
I regret not enjoying my ds's more.

That I can stick to an exercise program, actually enjoy doing it and that I can have what I want if I work for it.