to think life is more 'normal' than 'lockdown' now?

[fodderbeet]

Am I right to think that for a lot of people life is now more normal than not for most? Almost everything is open, pools, gyms, shops, restaurants etc. Sport has resumed at a local level, clubs and committees are meeting again, holidays are happening, life is happening again.

Admittedly in the scale of things our lives changed far less than most due to location & occupation and always having a preference for on-line shopping over trips to the supermarket, but I was surprised to hear from a friend that they're still very much in 'lockdown mode' and how restrictive their lives still are.

Am I being unreasonable to think that for most life is more normal now?

As an adult, yes my life is essentially back to 'normal'. I can go for dinner to catch up with friends, I can pop to the shop for a browse if I fancy.
For my 19m daughter, her actives are still very much restricted. I can't take her to toddler groups, or soft play. I can take her to the park but they're so full due to that being all children can really do, I don't fancy making her wait half an hour just to go on the swings. So for her life is not normal yet, and I don't see those things returning for a long while yet.

This morning it was announced that we are officially in recession. Is that normal?

We might be a teeny tiny step closer to normal than we were in April, but even the puppet Saint Boris isn't saying things are normal right now. We are NOWHERE NEAR back to normal. And I wish people would stop pretending we are, moving the goalposts by calling it a (vomit) "new normal". It's a NEW ABNORMAL. Let us make no mistake about that.

The government mandating in law what we wear, i.e. muzzles in shops (I know that word is unpopular with the masked mafia who think we should just "suck it up", but I have no shame about using it) was an enormous step away from normal, as far as I am concerned. And as for those who think "they will help us to get back to normal"; there are still many, many, many things we cannot do.

I have no intention of calling my life normal until I'm playing netball, singing in church, visiting my clients in their homes, and going into shops with my face naked, and doing all of the above without the law breathing down my neck.

Pre lockdown, I had a job and a decent income. Now I have neither. Pre lockdown, my children were at school. They haven't been to school since mid March.

No, things are not normal.

Agree with every word that Wanderings says. I will also add "playing in orchestras" to the list of normal things that are now banned.

No where near normal. We are 100% sticking to the rules i think most others are bending them to suit so life probably feels more normal for them. Everywhere you go needs to be booked in advance. I’ve not hugged anyone other than my kids and husband. If you have little kids then maybe a bit more normal . My eldest son is still on furlough. My daughter has had all her activities and clubs cancelled until January. My youngest is so bored.

Our summer has been fairly normal. Clubs have been running here (London) so the DC have had some time with other kids which they have loved. Playgrounds open so have been there a lot. We were able to go on holiday to France, got back before the cases started to rise so didn’t have the worry about quarantine. We have seen both sets of grandparents and a few friends. Been out to dinner once.

Shops don’t feel normal but I rarely go to shops anyway. Cinema, pool, softplay are also not things we use often. I don’t use the gym in school holidays as have the DC.

We are very lucky I realise.

Not yet for us, no.
Dc both off school and not sure if they will be able to return at all
(ASD and transition support non existent)

LA things such as Libraries / pools all still closed.
Given the £ hammering to LA's, I wonder if many will never re-open?

We have been out for 2 Rishi snacks and a couple of sit down coffees.
Not asked for any tracing details. Offered them, but told: 'no worries' !!

In a tourist area.
Not much mask wearing, almost no Social Distancing.

It feels like a 'lull'. I hope it doesn't go backwards for any of us.

I’m similar to pp but more because it’s hard for it to be normal before the economy starts picking up and the news of redundancies isn’t so stark.

You can do various things now, but it doesn’t feel normal.

My life didn’t change nearly as much as some people’s because my DH went to work as normal throughout and I’m now a SAHM. Also our local delis and coffee shops never shut and we still went out for those things (takeaway) often.

I think if we didn’t have children our life would be 95% normal by now.

With young kids it’s maybe 70% normal. We’ve seen relatives, the kids have play dates, (his) work is as normal, playgrounds are back open, we’ve been out for breakfasts and lunches and we’ve been swimming. What isn’t as normal is that I am still stuck without much to do a lot of days as the museums have still not opened the children’s bits and soft plays aren’t open etc. I’m still quite bored!

I can hand on heart say my life if 99.9% back to normal at the moment. The 0.1 is having to wear a mask in the shops.
I am a TA so am at home on summer holidays as usual for August (DH also works in a school so is here too).
We don't do clubs/pubs/gigs etc so not missing out there. We don't have friends apart from each other so not missing out there. I don't have a big family we have seen my parents and parents in law. I rarely see my siblings anyway so not missing out.
My 14 year old is out and about with his 2 friends same as always, my 10 year old doesn't do 'playdates' anyway. We don't do gym or swimming but the tennis club is open. Yep just masks in shops.
We also haven't lost anyone to Covid and only know 2 people who have had it both mild cases only confirmed because they both work in the hospital. I think that probably makes a difference to how normal it feels.
If you had asked me during term time I would have told you it was awful - everyday in school babysitting keyworker children (no work done by them only 1 hrs access to home learning platform). If you ask me in September I am hoping that things are 90% normal- because if we are back to keyworker care I am handing my notice in.

And Yes, we are not going to get back to 'Normal' anyway, sadly.

We are officially in Recession, even before the furlough scheme ends
(exH is on furlough: a bus driver & passenger numbers plummeted)
who knows if he will get his job back afterwards, and if not as a mid 50's man with asthma and dyslexia (so office work and heavy shop work are out) then I can see him not being able to work again.
Job losses will get much worse sadly. Add Brexit and it will take YEARS to get back to where we were economically, even if the pubs / pools / shops and cinemas feel more normal in a few months.

So, even if there isn't a '2nd wave' I think our idea of 'Normal' will have to be different for a quite a while. We might all appreciate simple pleasures more for a while but it has come at a terrible cost, even if you just look at it from a financial point of view, yet alone a health one (not just C 19 but other issues put on hold and people's MH too)

@latticechaos

Nowhere near and we may never get back. I remain hopeful but not expectant about a vaccine.

Things from the olden days:

• chatting to the stranger sitting next to me on a bus
• confident school will be open
• going to theatre, sitting 6 inches from the stranger in the next seat
• chatting with colleagues in the office (we have a room rota, single occupancy)
• using the vending machine
• taking kids to clubs
• going in any direction I like in a museum
• hopping in a taxi
• using a loo in a department store (shut!)
• squeezing on any train I fancy
• visiting a relative in a care home
• ringing for a dentist appointment and getting one
• trying on clothes in a shop, browsing, touching

Everything is spread out, booked, directed, distanced and different. I support continued measures so not grumbling, but old normal it is not!!

Going for a swim when I want, not when I can book a slot for. Ditto many other things. Places may have reopened, but there is no spontaneity.

Completely agree wanderings
Far from normal
Hideous masks, social distancing, queuing
No travel, Unwarranted quarantines, travel industry screwed, airlines screwed, hospitality sector screwed, looming recession with millions unemployed- not normal !
My kids are not back at school and need to be
Kids sports clubs not back properly
Kids swimming club not yet back

Far from normal and the new normal is abnormal

I risk a fine if I go and sit in a relative or friend's garden, so not really.

Ours is a lot more normal than it was but still different. The kids have yet to go back to school, in theory are back 9th September but we will see. I'm not working having had to educate my SN DS through lockdown one on one so we've lost my income and seems risky to try for things now as not sure how long schools will be back for. DD's GCSE options have been granted so in theory that's normal next year but school will be zoned.

Our summer holiday had to be cancelled - should be in Bangkok today - but we had a lovely holiday in Devon. Only issue is money we've lost on first holiday from places that wouldn't refund and insurance won't pay out anything even though we aren't allowed in so it's £1600 possibly gone but could have been a lot worse.

Thatching and chimney work now been able to start but brought their own toilet. DH is still woorking from home. Both those I prefer though. So life is fine but different still, doesn't feel like a lockdown for us now just a different world.

The thing is for most people live theatre and concerts weren't part of their everyday life. We do go to those things but it's only a handful of times a year at most. And I'd imagine most people aren't part of orchestras and choirs, so these wouldn't factor.

For many people their life is made up of work, socialising with family and friends, meals out, etc - and most of those things are now possible again, albeit at a distance.

If you have younger children not having access to playgrounds (most of our local ones still don't appear to be open) and some indoor play attractions will have an impact though.

I've been out for meals, been for a drink, met family and friends, been to local attractions, been for many a walk, had a holiday abroad, etc so for us that's our normal every day life. And come September I'll be back in school working - which should mean me doing less extra hours than I was working, from home, before the summer.

Nope far from normal. Not going back to the office until October at the very least. Can't see my family and probably won't this year. Meeting with friends is very difficult and rare due to travelling. Holidays are almost impossible. My local swimming pool is not open yet either btw since you mentioned that.

All I live for now is to work. Like a robot, all by myself, behind a screen, in my kitchen. There is
no purpose to my existence. And I'm luckier than many who don't have their health or have lost their jobs. I have to remind myself that.

Closer to normal but not quite there yet. I have young kids and thankfully they start nursery again on Friday so they’ll have some routine at least. The soft plays in our area both closed down through COVID and aren’t reopening, pools aren’t open yet. Outdoor parks reopened again so there’s that! Still lots of queuing outside shops etc

@Mistlewoeandwhine

I’m in Manchester. I’ve only met up with one friend since March. Was planning more but we are back in lockdown again. Most of my social life revolves around gigs and the pub but my friends don’t feel safe doing those things ( neither do I really). I’m working from home. It’s ok but lonely.

I'm in Manchester too. Been meeting friends, going on day trips, went on holiday in another country, done sports activities. All of us are still alive and healthy. In fact those things have done wonders for my mental health.

Becoming a shut over a virus with more than a 99% survival rate is not healthy. As for even paying attention to this so called Manchester lockdown, LOL.

Nowhere near normal, DH is stuck upstairs wfh, we have to book stuff like National Trust if we want to go out, can’t just do anything now, have to book for everything, shopping is a horrible experience, all the gigs I was going to have been postponed until next year and if they do go ahead I doubt they will be a good experience and we may have to be sprayed with disinfectant to go in, who knows what will happen with stuff like that. I am recently retired at early 60s and feel I am living the life of an 80+ year old, all thoughts of travelling are off now for the foreseeable future. Never mind, I will get my book and sit in the garden.

Apart from wfh every day, it feels relatively normal for this time of year.

I really hate wearing a mask, so I’m barely going to shops and always think twice before doing anything that involves one.

My life is far from normal. My normal hobby of traveling the U.K. to,see plays isn’t going to be be resumed for a long, long time - some productions have been delayed until November 2021. My family are all WFH for the foreseeable future , their city based employers expect this to continue until January next year. We normally spend August at our second family home in Ireland - that’s off because the area is Covid free and we don’t want to risk spoiling that. My sports holiday in September has been postponed until November 2021. My weekly yoga classes are on Zoom and will not be face to face for some time as the studio can only accommodate 6 distanced students and the fees for 6 students wouldn’t cover it’s hire. Our church cannot guarantee that we can get a seat for normal Sunday services because of SD. Our normal Sunday social club after the service can no longer happen so bang goes a huge part of my social life. My BFF can’t visit from her overseas home. My SIL can’t visit from the US. Our normal huge family Christmas dinner looks uncertain.

And worst of all - I can’t hug my mum, brother or godchildren. I can’t even snuggle with the children to read them a story

I’m not actually complaining about any of this. I am grateful that we are all physically well and (so far) still have jobs and no money worries. Given the world situation we are very fortunate but life is far from normal.

My DCs are in holiday club but they would normally be in the same one together for some weeks (at DD school) but that hasn't been open to children from other schools. So for this period, almost normal.

We probably wouldn't go to soft play in the summer, they are getting a bit old for it, and we've been to a drive in cinema but we'd probably have at least a couple of film trips over the summer. One of mine has been itching to have play dates with her BF but his parents are too cautious for this. The other has been doing Zoom dance classes which normally he wouldn't.

We're about to go on a booked holiday in the UK, cottage holiday. Changes there will be that last year we went to a theme park twice but DH isn't that happy that it will be safe enough, and we have to book even for outdoor attractions (keeping a really close eye on the weather). No spontaneous "let's just see if this restaurant has space". No visits to small rambling villages we think.

@BreastedBoobilyToTheStairs

I've been for dinner once since March when we used to go out quite frequently - despite signs and one way systems, there was zero social distancing and the service was terrible (despite having been great pre-lockdown) so that really put me off.

I went for drinks and will certainly not be doing that again any time soon either. Security guards with masks below their noses. No SD being followed. Crowding in the loos. People seemed much rowdier than usual. Just not worth it.

My sports class has reopened for a hugely reduced number of people that have to book for the month. I missed a spot so I can't go to a class I went to 3x a week before to try and shift the lockdown weight I've gained.

My holiday was cancelled, and we can't rebook the same place without quarantining on return.

My mum has been shielding and despite shielding ending, her doctor has told her she shouldn't go out where possible, so she's basically still shielding without the support. I haven't hugged her since the beginning of March. Usually I see her and give her a hug multiple times a week.

Face coverings when you're inside. I'm absolutely all for wearing one but they are uncomfortable if you aren't used to it, particularly in the heat. I find wearing a balaclava bad enough in sub-freezing temperatures let alone when it's 20+ degrees.

I'm still working from home - I normally work in the city centre to can often meet people after work or go shopping quickly at lunch. My spending is much reduced which is great, but I need new trainers desperately and the idea of going shopping at the moment actually feels like a big thing when it didn't before.

Friends have lost their jobs. I'm thankfully back up to 100% salary but was reduced to 80% despite working more hours than normal. I'm still feeling the squeeze from that, but not even close to the stress that some of my friends are trying to manage at the moment in respect of getting themselves back on their feet.

There's barely any of my pre-lockdown life that's back to what it used to be. I suspect it's going to be a while before life starts to feel even remotely like it did before. This is my new normal.

If you want to visit your mom and hug her, do it. No one can ban you from doing that. If she dies tomorrow you will regret not hugging her.

Nope, absolutely not! And if people think this is normal life, then their normal life must be really bloody tedious! We can’t go to concerts, theatre, clubs, to watch live sports.

Yes, because anyone who doesn't like the same things as you must have a tedious life . I don't regularly do any of those things and I don't find my life at a tedious, thanks. I would find watching almost all sport (live or not) extremely tedious though.