Is this year the worst year of your life?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

It's a shit year, I think virtually everyone would agree. But is it the worst you have lived through?

I'm bored, frustrated, and because I am chronically ill and depend heavily on access to specialist doctors for time-sensitive treatments, have a constant level of background anxiety in case SHTF and my doctors are forced to cancel. However, for me it's not the worst period of my life to date.

What about you? I'm interested in different perspectives on this, as we all are coming to the situation from very different places.

I remember once talking about years of miserable horrible childhood abuse to some guy. He said, that’s nothing, I’ve had the worst life ever. Nobody can top my awful life. Oh, I said, what happened? He said, I got beat up by some boys after school one day... I realised then, life is just a matter of perspective. 🤷‍♀️

Not at all, it's been a bit boring. I never really associate things with years though. I've had bad times but without working forwards or backwards from other things happening I never know what year it was

It's not the best year I have ever had! But on a personal level it's not the worst (at least not yet!). But on a societal level, yes. This feels worse than the Thatcher years, worse then the AIDS epidemic. I feel huge sorrow for all those who have died, their familes, the people who have lost jobs and businesses. Also there are some very difficult months ahead for us all which will bring more suffering.

No worst for me was last year - my dad had died the year before and my mum last year. Truly awful 12 months or so.

This year is giving that a run for its money though.
Support all - so many have been through such tough times.

No not at all - I've had far worse years than this one.

The year I was diagnosed with cancer was far worse for me. The year my dad and sister died was also worse.

No. Apart from generalised worry about virus, work and state of the world, this has been a lovely year. Gorgeous weather with the time to enjoy it amongst other things. I have had far worse years but don't want to speak to soon as 2020 isn't over yet.

Yes, really shit but so sorry who have had worse. Really really struggling mentally myself.
Mum in care home with dementia who I haven't seen properly since Feb - losing all sense of her. Realistically will be spring at least before any more meaningful contact. Last few times I've done Skype she's gone on about how I've abandoned her and done nothing to help her. I've adored her for 55 years and can't bear the thought that the next time I see her she won't know me and will her last locked in memory be that I let her down?
Also v close - but not geographically - to my brother's family but he has terminal cancer and having chemo to try and extend the time he has with his wife and 4 teenage kids.
Really struggling to come to terms with not seeing them, but never consider breaking meeting up rules. Am I a mug? Dunno.

Not even close. Worst was when my mum died & I got divorced in the same year!

2013/14 and 2017 were hell on earth for me. The only thing that comforted me were hours spent hours googling suicide methods. My life never recovered and I realise now that I've been in self imposed lockdown ever since.

Nowhere near the worst, it has been quite a good year, some very good things have happened to me and some surprising friendships have developed under unusual circumstances.

Nope. This year has actually been quite pleasant. Lots of sun and lots of family time. 2017-8 was shit.

No, not quite the worse. It is very shit but I think I’ve lived through worse - although it’s close. My dad died in 2018 and since then we’ve had an on-going battle with his ex wife over his Will (she’s annoyed that 100% wasn’t left to her ) and Solicitors bills just to defend my dad’s wishes is now about £10k and has gone on since 2018 and still on-going. Now the coronavirus and all the economic uncertainty meaning that there’s a very real possibility both my husband and I will be out of a job in the very near future (same company) so now is pretty shit for sure. However, in the mid 90s my mum was diagnosed and died of cancer over an 18 month period. In the middle of this, my sister’s husband left her, without any prior warning, when her children were 18 months and 3. After my mum’s death my dad was inconsolable for about a year and then took up with the previous mentioned money grabbing new wife. On balance this was the worse time. Me and my sister was devastated by my mum’s death, and she was an integral part of our small but close family. My sister struggled even more when her husband left. My dad was round of houses all the time crying and even when he met his new wife, he was still the same, dealing with guilt as well as grief. When my dad died in 2018, we were really upset and I miss him every day, but he was older and we didn’t feel cheated. Also losing the second parent and not having to deal with the grief of the one left is easier. Therefore, sorry to write an essay on it, but what we went through in the mid 1990s was worse!

Yes it’s been the worst year of my life. I have lost two close family members, lost two pets, had two operations and put on weight. I could have a pity party but life goes on. Roll on next year.

All those people saying it's been pleasant, good etc, how do you manage to not let what is happening around you affect you?

Oh and not being able to attend either funeral

No, it’s been hard and but it’s also been a real time of strength for me.
I found the strength to leave an unhappy 11 year relationship and stand on my own 2 feet with my children. I don’t think I’ve been this happy in a long time.
Ok, I’m unemployed, cannot find a job so I’m in a rental property and on benefits. But me, in my own head, I’m a lot happier than I was a year ago.
I’m also a positive person so I think that plays a big part in my own mental health.

Not in the slightest and I've worked in the height of covid in a NHS hospital on the front line. Had no walls in my house since February. Supporting dh through mental health crisis and doing post grad study

We are physically well as are my friends and family. The DIY will get done I suppose. At least dh is getting help which is much better than before despite ups and downs and hopefully I'll qualify and do a job I've always wanted and get a pay rise next year and see my friends and family more. Have missed seeing baby niece grow and cha ge and be a cuddly baby, she'll probably be walking by the time I see her again.

It's definitely in the running. Mostly for the effect it's had on my autistic teens and the fact that I've barely seen my elderly parents. The last time I barely saw, them, they were far from elderly and it was my ex who made things difficult.

No and most people don't have genuine reasons to complain about Covid. This year has made me realise how selfish most people in the UK are though

Pink... I think I compartmentalise stuff and there is a big box labelled 'stuff I can't control' in my head and I do my best not to open it. Obviously doesn't work when it's something as hideous as the death of your child or other things as awful but works fine for general shit like Covid and the economy

The weather is far from gorgeous, now

No this has been by far and away the best year I have ever had. I’ve been on maternity leave for the bast majority of it and my husband has been able to work from home full time since the first lockdown and he spent far more time with me and the baby than he would have been able to otherwise.