Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Usernamenumber999 · 04/11/2020 22:14

I must admit I’ve on the whole found this year ok! It’s shit in that people are dying but Covid hasn’t affected us negatively as a family. I’ve had much, much harder years.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 04/11/2020 22:20

Pain is pain
And there is some pain in this threads that’s utterly heartbreaking , and has nothing to do with lockdown

But as we weep at the parents that have lost their children , I also feel
For you and for an old friend who texted to say she has lost her business and might need to sell her house

Anyway my son is now having a ducking meltdown yet again

Flowers feels like such a weak and feeble way to acknowledge this thread

lovepickledlimes · 04/11/2020 22:23

So far this year just on a personal level:

-Tree fell on neighbors garage that we needed to pay to have fixed

-The house purchase meant to get my mum near me fell through

-My communion and confirmation got cancelled in easter

-My wedding got canceled

-Roof had to be replaced

-Front door lock broke and had to be replaced

-neighbors fence joined to our graden broke and still needs fixing

-I struggle get in touch with TUI for the refund of the honey moon so even 4 months on it's not resolved

-My solicitor completely failed me with what I asked them and strung me along for a full year

-My entire life put on hold for a year

Basically it's yes been the worst year and not coping at all

tealady · 04/11/2020 22:44

The worst year of my life was 2017. It started with my sister being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and it ended with her death 8 months later. She was only 52 and I miss her every day. She was my best friend as well as my sister.

This year has been easy by comparison for me and my family. Some difficulties to overcome but everybody is safe and well. Much sympathy to those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19.

sicknote26 · 04/11/2020 22:45

No I'm loving the slower pace of life

DougRossIsTheBoss · 04/11/2020 23:02

In think it probably is:
My mum died.
I've been unhappy at work because of all the Covid crap and some tricky colleagues
Lots of things I would have turned to to brighten up my life travel, music gigs etc cancelled.

There have been years that gave it a run for its money
2012 when my mum was diagnosed with her terminal cancer
2007 postnatal depression and getting mixed up with someone who exploited me and ended up stalking me.
1994 a very bad thing happened.

But all those times at least I could go for a drink in the pub, go over to a friends place, see a band or book a holiday.

Michaelschofield · 04/11/2020 23:04

Been left a single mum of 4 and also trying to get through uni

OMITB · 04/11/2020 23:08

Yes. My mum was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in March, and spent most of the first lockdown alone, trembling in pain in a chair because no one could come out and properly assess her meds. We discovered the family cat had cancer and had to put the cat down. I sold my house so I could move closer, but not before the buyer decided to really fuck me about. Then my mum's cancer spread to pretty much everywhere, she ended up in hospital after breaking her leg, and we couldn't visit due to covid. She finally came home, and died a week later.

Had her funeral today. Not forgetting the funeral director calling me three days before to inform me that my mother had to have an operation at the mortuary to vent the expanding nail that had been put in her leg, so it wouldn't explode in the cremator. My brother couldn't come because someone at his work tested positive for covid, and we couldn't have a fucking wake.

She was in her early 60s, and I love her so much.

MollyJAb · 04/11/2020 23:08

Almost,
I've had a burglary, a mental breakdown, ill heath in the family, a redundancy and a marriage breakdown.
I'd say it's been one of the shittiest years. Prying for some positivity

Bouledeneige · 04/11/2020 23:17

This year started with me in A&E with my Dad till 11.30pm. I've had a massive fall out with my DS who is still not talking to me after 2 months to my great heartbreak. I got burgled last night - they were within 6 feet of me sleeping. Its been a rough year. One of the roughest. But I've had some worse experiences - my baby dying, my divorce, my sweet Mum dying.

I have also though learnt how to treasure simple pleasures, and be accepting, calm and chilled. To enjoy the birds in my garden, walks with my friends, calls and chats and little errands to the shops, sunshine and green spaces whenever I can get them. As a massive extrovert now living alone with my DC at uni it has been a massive adjustment but I think I'm stronger. And I am so lucky to not be sick, to have lost loved ones, be at risk of redundancy and in financial distress or facing bereavement. I know people who are facing each of these. I am lucky.

FinallyFluid · 05/11/2020 00:30

No sign of the OP prepares best side of the Daily Wail.

FinallyFluid · 05/11/2020 00:31

For, not of .

LunaNorth · 05/11/2020 03:33

It hasn’t been great.

Since November 2019 I’ve lost both parents. Covid buggered up the last few months of my mums life, and her funeral.

We still haven’t been able to inter their ashes.

It’s hard.

Readandwalk · 05/11/2020 06:05

No. I've had a great year. Secure job. Live alone but coping with any loneliness is fine. Ive had years of sudden deaths of a parent and partner.

Ive had years of financial difficulties.

It's been one of my best years.

FinallyHere · 05/11/2020 09:23

Sorry to everyone who is struggling

Not by a long shot for me. I've had the longest time at home with DH ever. He used to travel a lot and now can't. It's been lovely eating together every night.

My worst years have been when I have been the cause of whatever misfortune befell me.

COVID has just 'happened' and we are getting through it. Being careful to avoid getting it, and more importantly, to avoid passing it on.

DH is a good few years older than me. I would be devastated if I brought it home and infected him. That would be a bad year. Anything else I can live with.

PaddingtonStareBare · 05/11/2020 09:31

I too am sorry to read of others struggling Flowers

I've been made redundant this year but it was on my 5 year plan to leave anyway and return to FT hours now DC are secondary age.

I was furloughed from April and had a marvellous summer with just all of us and it brought us all together, I've seen and learned much more about DC, I would home educate in a heart beat - but alas financially it is not to be so.

I've been fortunate to find another job but it's a pay grade lower than what I have been on and a step down career wise but I'm going with whatever I could get at the time as I can't receive benefits if the shit hits the fan Confused.
We've thrived as a family this year, but obviously that could turn if one of us develops COVID and complications from it.

Onmyown1 · 05/11/2020 09:37

No, 2013 was my worst year. I found out I had cancer. Then my dad was diagnosed with cancer and given 3 months to live. During that time I was told my cancer had spread, was stage 4 and no longer curable. My dad then died. Son had his autism diagnosis. Then my husband left me. So lost my dad. Stage 4 cancer. Son had autism and ended up a single mother to 4 kids. Was a tough year.

Meadow1203 · 05/11/2020 10:34

Yes has been the worse year. I slipped a disc in March and could not walk for 2 month, I lost my income because of Covid, have not seen my family because a restrictions on travel and not seen my dad who is a care home. Bloody appalling.

exiledfromcornwall · 05/11/2020 16:54

Gosh, reading some of the posts on here puts my bad years into perspective. So sorry for your losses and struggles Flowers

Something a PP said resonated with me. In normal times if something bad or upsetting happens we can promise ourselves a nice treat, maybe a weekend away, a meal out with friends, plan our next holiday. That is what is so utterly shit about the covid situation. If something awful happens we can't even plan something nice for ourselves.

Jennygentle · 05/11/2020 16:58

Yes it has, but like many posters, I think it shows that my life has been fairly cushy up until now.

I'm so sorry for all the terrible pain and loss described on this thread.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 05/11/2020 20:26

Onmyown1

Wow , and how is your health now ? You are clearly still with us 🙏

LD22020 · 05/11/2020 20:41

Certainly not my best. Very lone parent during a pandemic is grim.

Combine that with my 5 year old with additional needs falling completely and utterly apart at school, needing a specialist placement but none being available and her MH being destroyed. It's definitely been grim.

byebyeboyee · 05/11/2020 20:58

I'm not diminishing anyone elses life but this is the best year of my adult life the last 15 years of my life have been a chaotic misery and despite everything I am so happy compared to my previous years , I've quit drinking and other substances. Next year I'm going to quit smoking and become vegitarian, I now own my own business. It's a far cry from last year where I was a suicidal and starving stuck with with my abusive ex.

Newmumatlast · 05/11/2020 21:04

last year was my best year ever because I finally became pregnant and had my baby after successful IVF. This year has had tough moments and have struggled with managing things but honestly my baby has been our saviour and has helped put things into perspective

exiledfromcornwall · 05/11/2020 22:30

@byebyeboyee

I'm not diminishing anyone elses life but this is the best year of my adult life the last 15 years of my life have been a chaotic misery and despite everything I am so happy compared to my previous years , I've quit drinking and other substances. Next year I'm going to quit smoking and become vegitarian, I now own my own business. It's a far cry from last year where I was a suicidal and starving stuck with with my abusive ex.
Wow, that's quite a turnaround. Well done.