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?

Oh and the fact that I'm working in the dining room - not normal.
Usually each of me and DH would WFH maybe one day a week, and rarely the same one. Not all day, every day for both of us.

@JKRowlingIsMyQueen this.

I know a handful of people still not even seeing friends. Their very young children have literally not seen another child other than through their house windows for 5 months. At this point, this is their choice and is not something that the government is even encouraging anymore (in fact, the government wants us to go out and spend!) so I don’t really see how they can complain about it.

Not normal here. DCs cousins have no school or activities running.

DD has no nursery (as finances are fucked due to COVID 19), swimming pools not open here until September, no soft play, no toddler groups or activities running. No dentist as check up was postponed in April and then in June. HV 2 year check done over the telephone. Thank goodness the playgrounds have opened as that the only bit of normality for DD.

I would say half way there. We are more restricted in activities this summer which is a shame for the kids. That’s possibly due to my confidence too. My work has taken a hit but I’m hoping that will come back soon. I have real cabin fever & am finding it hard being at home so much as we are usually out and about quite a lot meeting people & doing things. I think once kids are back & we are through winter it will feel a bit like there is light at the end of the tunnel. I’m not complaining. It’s been a slog but overall we’ve been fortunate given the circumstances.

Nowhere near normal. Luckier than some obviously, as I still have a job but wfh. If anything I'm working longer hours so my free time is curtailed. My three top things to do are theatre/comedy, go to football and travel. Can't do any of them. Never been interested in a mooch round the shops and that's not changed. I've developed a jigsaw habit though!

At this point, this is their choice and is not something that the government is even encouraging anymore
It is affecting their DC's friends though - as my DD is desperate to see some of her friends whose parents won't let them.

I think what becoming obvious from this thread is that it’s not a matter of going back to ‘normal’ because everyone has differing opinions of what ‘normal’ is.
I didn’t have an incredibly exciting social life pre covid but I miss so much of the human interactions, random trips and travelling for example and just doing last minute stuff.
There is also a difference in personality types in that some people don’t really give a shit about the rules and others do.
There’s my armchair psychology for today (need a lie down).

Apart from my DDs toddler group we are pretty much back to normal. DP self employed and struggled at start of lockdown as people were rightfully cautious but work is flooding back in, most of it in empty properties for the next 3 months so not likely to be cancelled.

Thankful for playgrounds opening back up! We live across from one so DD is back socialising and is a much happier child. We go out for an early morning breakfast sometimes and it's very quiet, haven't tried for dinner yet. My 3month old has never known any different. Socialising in peoples gardens in this lovely weather breaks up the boredom a bit aswell. The start of lockdown felt incredibly tough, heavily pregnant and a hyper 3 year old. Having DP at home for 7 weeks was lovely but were much happier now things are nearly back to normal.

My works not opened, I can’t visit my mums care home, struggling to stay a float... not back to normal at all

I feel like life is pretty normal for us apart from DS not going to childcare. We would probably do cinema and swimming a couple of times each over the holidays, maybe trampolining. All of those are open but don't really fancy them.

We are still meeting up with friends in the park, seeing my parents, seeing family, doing outdoors days out etc. I think it has been good for DS having so much time at home to properly relax which he doesn't normally get. We have had a few playdates.

Nothing like normal while WFH with the DC here and no available holiday childcare. Council sports centres and pools etc are still closed, we've been to parks for picnics etc but can't do much more in terms of days out etc because of work. Tomorrow I'm taking them out with a friend and their DC, planned a couple of weeks ago, but will be starting work at 4am because of this. So no, not very normal at all.

I’m a musician so you can absolutely do one OP

I think we're all just getting use to it now. Plus socially distancing is easy in the summer. When we walked to town today, it was second nature to check the width of the pavement and who was coming the other way as we went. Using hand gel and masks as we enter shops has become habit. Sitting outside at cafes has become the default too.

Winter will be the real challenge.

Yep, feels pretty normal to me but then I don't rely on spending money or being entertained by others to enjoy my life and no that doesn't make it boring, the best things in life really are free.

@Astrabees I think you’ve got it pretty good if your complaint include John Lewis having a poor atmosphere and your yoga class having restrictions 😂😂

@Infullbloom

Yep, feels pretty normal to me but then I don't rely on spending money or being entertained by others to enjoy my life and no that doesn't make it boring, the best things in life really are free.

No me either. I do rely on being able to earn a living though, which sadly I can’t at the moment.

Pretty normal in the sense that people are out and about more. I only started seeing others over the last couple of weeks but dc is back at school today so I am going to go back to only having one extended household(relatives) as I would rather watch and wait how the school situation pans out while reducing the risk of spread to others outside of school. I expect shit to hit the fan in a few weeks or so, but hoping it doesn't.

It’s certainly not normal if you have a job that to be in an office and you are forced to WFH, haven’t seen colleagues in person since March, miss your office facilities (especially aircon at the moment!), have to manage people remotely and are sick of making your own lunch instead of grabbing food from the canteen or sandwich shop.

No I don't think my life is back to normal. No cinemas open so can't go there and we used to go almost every week. No theatres open so can't go there.

Quite a few shops near us are not open although I would probably not go to them anyway.

We used to go out for coffee or lunch about 3 times a week and we are not doing that. Some places have not re-opened, some re-opened but have had to close. Neither me or DH are that comfortable eating or drinking out unless outside.

We like visiting gardens, national trust places, wildlife parks etc. All those have to be booked in advance so no spur of the moment trip out.

Of course we have to wear a mask every time we go food shopping and that is the only shopping I am doing.

So no, life is nothing like it was before lockdown

What this thread shows though, as well as differences in people's circumstances, is that services are opening up really patchily.

I have had a face to face appointment with my GP, and with my dentist, although the dentist appointments are hard to get as they have a huge backlog.

My counselor is face to face.

I've been swimming in an indoor and outdoor pool, but only little ones at a holiday park, not sure if the big ones in town are open.

Several of my friends have thrown caution to the wind and have travelled on holiday abroad, at least three are away right now, in France, Greece, other European countries. Not the States or anywhere else.

I can't find anywhere to eat out today as everywhere is booked up at meal times with slots like 2.30 in the afternoon the only ones left.

I am not claiming though that everyone can see a GP or dentist, though, as this is clearly not the case. It just seems very chaotic and haphazard, and I think that's partly what causes the stress, the uncertainty of it all.

Actually although our summer has been mostly normal there is still one major difference which is uncertainty over the future.

In particular, I was supposed to be going back to work in September but now am not looking for a job till at least Jan due to uncertainty over schools being open, more lockdowns etc. I don’t want to be juggling a new job with home schooling a recalcitrant 7 and 5 yr old.

I'm in an area where we can't visit family and friends in homes and gardens. Can go up the pub or restaurant with my own household members, but if my Sister was there on the next table that would be ok.

I am also still furloughed and will be until end of Oct. No idea what is going to happen after that.

I don’t think they are closer to normal:

all but one of my son’s activities are still closed,
in our area the majority of swimming pools have not yet opened and those that are for lane swimming only so not suitable for young children.
Cinemas not open.
Cannot go to local NT places as always booked up for the week within a few hours of opening
Many other activities massively booked up due to restricted numbers so cannot do anything spontaneously
Libraries not open
No children’s birthday parties
Working at home every day instead of in the office part of the week
Toilets at many parks still closed which restricts how long we can go for

We are one of the areas with further restrictions so also cannot meet/see family or friends inside

Almost entirely normal for me in London.

My gym has opened its pool so I'm swimming most days. I always worked from home 3-4 days each week so that's fine too. Pubs and restaurants are open. Only problem is holidays but at 32 weeks pregnant I wouldn't be beat placed to fly soon anyway.

If you think it’s normal then you’re clearly not following guidelines. Life is far from “near normal”