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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this year the worst year of your life?

744 replies

AbsentmindedWoman · 03/11/2020 21:17

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.

OP posts:
wheresmymojo · 04/11/2020 01:35

Both me & DH have lost our jobs and we're very close to bankruptcy.

BUT I can say without a shadow of a doubt that it's not even close to the worst year I've ever had!

LordLancington · 04/11/2020 01:39

Come to think of it, I've actually had an ok year. Of course its frustrating to have so many restrictions imposed but tbh I feel worse for the rest of the population than myself. I quite enjoyed having a few weeks in the sun and on the playstation at the start of lockdown and I've got my fingers crossed for a few more as I'm a bit bored of being back at work again tbh.

BeanieB2020 · 04/11/2020 01:40

No, it's not. It is awful and it sucks, but I have a lot more good in my life this year than I've had in previous years, which makes me feel weird/bad in a way.

ConfusedcomMum · 04/11/2020 01:41

No doesn't even compare to my teenage years (family members having nervous breakdowns, suffering from schizophrenia). This is a walk in the park in comparison.

Valkadin · 04/11/2020 01:43

The worst year of my life was the year my DD died, my Father also died 12 weeks before her. I completely lost my mind and have been left with enduring MH issues which then meant I had to leave the job I loved. My cognitive functioning was affected so badly due to the trauma I hardly spoke to anyone for a year. I used to stay in bed all day until 30 mins before DS was due back from school then spend four hours using every fibre of my being playing , doing homework cooking and having dinner with him and DH. We had a cleaner who was brilliant.

notanoctopus · 04/11/2020 01:45

Nope. Bereavements and miscarriages. It's been tough being on mat leave and I won't have a sustainable business to go back to, but no one close to me has died.

Anordinarymum · 04/11/2020 01:46

@Greenbks

Yes, I lost my son in February so I couldn’t give a toss about covid or anything else. I often wish I had non problems like the ppl you see on the news moan about like Christmas being cancelled or kids not being allowed out to play.

I haven’t complained since he died.

So sorry to read this. Nothing compares to something like this. Nothing matters any more. You won't ever get over it but you will find a way of living with it. Don't know you but am thinking of you now
Anordinarymum · 04/11/2020 01:50

@IncandescentSilver

Awful year.

I was cheated on, dumped, ghosted then blocked by my long term boyfriend due to not being able to see him for a bit during lockdown.

Eventually found out he cheated on me with a rather rough woman and got really worried that I might have contracted an STD so had to arrange a test (not easy). Fortunately negative.

Atounf the same time, in separate incidents, I managed to fracture both my kneecap and my cocyx, and was unable to access healthcare for either.

My business lost loads of money I will never get back due to lockdown and is still on a shaky footing.

Single and lonely, I tried Internet dating and have so far had to block 8 men for reieatedly talking about sex and nothing else.

Can't socialise to meet people as normal so likely single for a while.

OTOH I found that I'm both remarkably mentally and physically tough. Further lockdown and singlehood holds no fears for me, in fact nothing really scares me at all now, because I've been through so much.

Gosh I found this difficult to read. Hope you are OK and staying strong. Sometimes it takes bad experiences to make you realise what really matters and that of course is you.
Time40 · 04/11/2020 01:53

Oh, so many horribly sad stories on this thread. Flowers to all those who have had losses, and who have suffered in other ways.

Yes, 2020 has been the worst year of my life, but not because of Covid-19.

tattooedmummy1 · 04/11/2020 01:57

Fuck no.

I survived domestic and sexual abuse and violence for years. Had a baby from rape. Faced him in court, he was found not guilty. I tried to kill myself and ended up medicated. I cut out my own mother from my life.

This year, I celebrated my first year of marriage with the love of my life. I got covid, but it gave me, my DS and DH 2 weeks at home together which was bloody lovely. Completed 2 qualifications thay I worked my arse off for. And I've found the courage to jack in a job where they don't know my worth and land a dream job with a dream paycheck. This year has been good for me.

2toe · 04/11/2020 02:00

@pinkearedcow
The world has been a difficult place for many people and while I can empathise I have no control over it, I can only control my environment and my actions toward those around me and focus on that. I was still working during lockdown with a smaller team, we all learned so much about each other because it was our only real social interaction and some strong bonds have been formed. I came in to my own at work, I took charge, I learned, I listened to others and supported them. I learned a lot about myself and how I interact with others, it’s improved my relationships in general. I spent time with my teenagers at an age when usually they aren’t fussed about hanging out with parents, they wanted to talk and needed that interaction. I found out just what a supportive group of friends I have, I feel lucky to have them.
For me it emphasised all the good I have in my life and stopped me worrying about the little things.

Peppafrig · 04/11/2020 02:01

Doesn’t come close to the worst year of my life.

Anordinarymum · 04/11/2020 02:02

@Time40

Oh, so many horribly sad stories on this thread. Flowers to all those who have had losses, and who have suffered in other ways.

Yes, 2020 has been the worst year of my life, but not because of Covid-19.

Hope it gets better from now on x
WellQualifiedToRepresentTheLBC · 04/11/2020 02:03

Not even nearly the worst year of my life. This year is probably in my top three best ever tbh. No abuse, no violence, shit family staying out of my way, lots of time with my lovely DS, dual income household of two high earners, excellent health and fitness, lovely house and area, in a long term relationship so happy that lockdown has been like a honeymoon.

We have been crazily lucky and im very grateful for it.

Anordinarymum · 04/11/2020 02:04

@Peppafrig

Doesn’t come close to the worst year of my life.
Nor me. This has been easy compared to losing my child. I think I can cope with anything after that.
wellthatsunusual · 04/11/2020 02:05

Doesn't come close to being the worst year of my life either.

ilovesooty · 04/11/2020 02:06

No. Every year from 1992 to 2000 was much worse, in the hellhole school that ended my career and made me very ill. For several years after 2003 I was going through a horrendously acrimonious divorce. This year is nowhere near the nightmare those years were.

lovelemoncurd · 04/11/2020 02:16

No probably the year my dad killed himself was the worst. I think well it's not as good as some years but it certainly ain't the worst.

steff13 · 04/11/2020 02:16

Nope.

Chuggington2 · 04/11/2020 02:37

No, I had 2 miscarriages numerous failed rounds of IVF and was being bullied by my boss in 2016. That was a pretty terrible year.

Chuggington2 · 04/11/2020 02:40

This year has been bad for money for worries though. The first year in a long time I’ve not felt secure financially.

milkmonsterr · 04/11/2020 02:47

No, not by a long way.
2000 was my worst year and nothing will ever surpass it. Lost my first baby and the pain is still raw I thought it would fade but it hasn’t

Snugglepumpkin · 04/11/2020 02:48

Not even close.

atz333 · 04/11/2020 02:49

Not the worst but not the best.
I'm so grateful for my family all being safe and well. My husband has been working from home since March and we have had no loss of income. We've spent more time together as a family and grown closer. I found out I was pregnant after 10 years, a week before lockdown.

I miss not going out to the shops much or having that much of a social life. My pregnancy has been a strange one where I haven't been able to experience it the same way as before. I'm a bit worried about childcare in a few weeks when I give birth. But for me these are small things. It could be so much worse and probably is for some people.

caringcarer · 04/11/2020 02:49

No, none of my family or friends have caught Covid. DH is enjoying wfh as less stressful traveling on over full train. DC coped well with lockdown and did not fall behind as I am an early retired teacher. I have had far worse years when my Mum died after a terrible long painful death and another year when I got my divorce after first husband cheated on me.