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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What have you learnt from this pandemic?

317 replies

pawsies · 27/07/2020 20:31

For me I am a naturally cautious person and tend to think of worst case scenarios on a daily basis. I am a catastrophiser.

Therefore I'm very reluctant to book things far in advance. I wouldn't book a holiday years in advance. Maybe months but more likely weeks.

This pandemic has reinforced that. I can't see myself booking a holiday for 2022/2023. I want to go away in January but probably won't book anything until December.
Seeing the hassle people have had to go through to get money back/travel insurance etc puts me off booking anything earlier.

What about you?

OP posts:
WhatOnEarth67 · 27/07/2020 20:53

That my MIL is a nasty bitch

Gatehouse77 · 27/07/2020 20:54

That’s there’s a widespread lack of critical thinking.

AnyFucker · 27/07/2020 20:55

That the world has gone fucking mad

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 27/07/2020 20:55

That people who claim to care about others don't really.

Merryoldgoat · 27/07/2020 20:55

That I’m definitely not equipped to be a teacher.

waitingforadulthood · 27/07/2020 20:57

I'm friendless. And lonely.

And a shit teacher.

FudgeBrownie2019 · 27/07/2020 20:59

That we are led by an inept blancmange in a suit.

OccasionalNachos · 27/07/2020 20:59

That I can cope with being a homebody. I used to go out a lot & thought I would hate the lockdown restrictions but it has actually been quite nice.

That my neighbourhood has some really nice streets and hidden green spaces.

That I hate working from home (I knew that already but it has been reinforced)

That I want to do a job where I make a difference

That gardening is not my forte

MarshaBradyo · 27/07/2020 21:01

Economics should be taught earlier in schools

Viruses are quite interesting scientifically with their variables

ZeldalovesLink · 27/07/2020 21:01

That home working is brilliant and something I’m going to keep going for the foreseeable future.

OverTheRainbow88 · 27/07/2020 21:02

That if I plan our weekly meals we save a lot of money and food waste

That I’m an outdoors person and going out once a day is hard

That I am able to look after my kids without my parents help... and will no longer fear summer holidays

That I am a people person and enjoy the company of lots of others

That physical and mental health is what matters

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have family fun

That Some people on MN can be really mean!!

Bert2020 · 27/07/2020 21:04

I’m stronger than I thought. I can stay home and as a family we need to stay home just our unit occasionally. I have even fewer friends than I thought I did and I’m ok with that.

ChooksAndBooks · 27/07/2020 21:04

I am .ore antisocial/introverted than I thought.

How much stress i feel around people calling in and judging the state of the house.

Equally how much stress i feel due to time pressure and the school run.

I really like my house, especially the outside space.

RoseMartha · 27/07/2020 21:04

That I will never be completely free from my ex husband.

And that the six weeks summer holidays will never be as daunting as they once were.

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 27/07/2020 21:05

That I need to remain aware that I am so very fortunate in so many ways

iklboo · 27/07/2020 21:05

People are frighteningly eager to 'report' people for imagined infractions.

Bakedbeanhead · 27/07/2020 21:05

That I am much braver than I ever thought and I could never be teacher.

maxdash · 27/07/2020 21:06

That my mental well-being is infinitely better without social obligations and when I have limited social contact.

I've absolutely loved lockdown. As have DH and the kids. As lockdown has eased my mental health has deteriorated, anxiety increased (not covid related). I've felt more obliged to take part in stuff, go places (though have mainly resisted). Family keep asking to book us in for visits and my calendar is filling up again. DH feels the same. We've both taken up exercise and lost weight during lockdown. This last month we've started o regain it, motivation for exercise has wained, as anxiety and stress has increased.

We've realised we are much more introverted than we ever knew.

We are lucky to have a large garden, lovely house and WFH jobs though.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 27/07/2020 21:10

That Boris couldn't find his arse with both hands.

Littleoakhorn · 27/07/2020 21:11

That crises don’t change people. You’d think that in a crisis people would try to do the right thing but the reality is that while nice people are still nice and doctors and nurses are still heroes, selfish twats are still selfish twats, government advisers still don’t think their advice applies to them and some people really will exploit any situation to their own advantage.

I’ve also learnt that although working from home is definitely better than the office, you still have to go into the office to meet face to face every now and then.

wanderings · 27/07/2020 21:13

That 1984 and a police state enforced by the public are dangerously close to reality.

Chanjer · 27/07/2020 21:15

That if ever there's a really bad one we're screwed

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 27/07/2020 21:15

That some people are a lot more selfish than I realised.

TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 27/07/2020 21:16

That the majority of my family are selfish cunts.

GuyFawkesDay · 27/07/2020 21:16

That I actually don't like other people very much?!! 😂😂😂