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.

@Tigger85 I’m so so sorry on all parts - I hope you are seeking support

It's crap, but not the worst by a very long way.

I have up teaching in 2019. 2020 has been great!

have=gave

I think so, yes. This year in addition lockdown I had a miscarriage and lost my grandmother and couldn't attend her funeral. I also appear to have had Covid twice. I've had to work from home this entire time, which has been really difficult. I feel so incredibly disconnected and unhappy.

I don’t think I could admit it out loud, but this year has been great for me.

My work is going well, I received a significant pay increase (which would have happened no matter the pandemic), got a much loved animal. Getting to stay at home a lot with no excuses or guilt. Took the time to organise my finances that had a huge impact on my non-essential spending in a positive way.

Of course, it could change. I am blessed that my job is secure, as are most of the jobs of the people I love so I don’t worry about them. Noone I am close to has had Covid yet. My world is already reasonably small so less to impact.

Five years ago, I was in a really really shit job. I had no money, was feeling very low and had poor health. That was my worst year.

I know I am blessed to say the year one of the most catastrophic events of my lifetime appeared is not my worst year by far.

Yes.

I lost my partner (not Covid-related) nearly 3 weeks ago and I'm beyond devastated.

We were fine with lockdown, perfectly happy WFH and being together 24/7, in fact we liked it. But now I'm just in the worst place I've ever been. And I can't begin to imagine ever feeling any different.

No not the worst year and even if we can't visit family on Christmas it still won't be the worst Christmas

I've loved it. It's genuinely been life changing for the better. I've slowed down from a fast paced work life. I now primarily work from home and an element of that will be forever. Its helped me bring my life back to what I enjoy.

I have spent weekends gardening, decorating and lots and lots of long walks. I've spent less money & enjoyed a much simpler life.

I miss having people over for a cup of tea and miss seeing friends for dinner but that's the only down sides.

We have faced some big disappointments and some moments of fear, our lives have been largely fine this year. I’d much rather repeat 2020 than the year I had cancer or the year I spent having a series of abdominal surgeries.

No, I haven't found this year too much of a strain. I've been made redundant and interviewing which isn't great but student years were much tougher.

I can self -isolate, I have DS and our home and plenty to keep me busy. We'll cope.

I've had much worse years.
The uncertainty this year has been unsettling, but so far we've been well, I'm working, I enjoyed the extra time during the first lockdown I enjoyed the extra time I had with DD. It's been stressful and a bit boring at times, but actually not that bad.

It's not been the best year but no, it hasn't been the worst.

The year I had a couple of cancer scares and had to walk out of a job because of a headteacher who had no leadership skills was a shitter.

The year when I had crushing depression when my dc were babies/toddlers was incredibly difficult for my family.

The year when my step-dad was dx with terminal cancer and then died a few weeks before Christmas was awful.

Yes. It's been awful. Lost a job I loved, had a horrendous miscarriage, family member very very poorly. DH and I not getting on (probably due to all the stress) I honestly can't wait for it to be over. If I didn't have young DC I wouldn't bother with Xmas. Really don't feel in the mood for it this year and that is so unlike me.

Nope. It's not been very fun. But my worst years have contained waaay more shit.

I have been quite lucky in the sense that I can work from home. But as I'm sticking to the "rules" I'm really lonely (single parent, family miles away, boyfriend working away).

Oh @LakieLady - what terrible terrible news. I’m so sorry. 💐

I am so sorry for your loss @LakieLady

It has been a hard one as I lost my mum to covid last month in very tough circumstances, and worrying about the long term impact on ds(16)'s education/future as he missed out sitting exams earlier this year and teaching provision for this academic years Scottish Highers has been patchy.

But, other than those two things, restrictions, while limiting, are understandable, temporary and very manageable for us and most people.

No. It’s shit and I am somewhat depressed but it’s better than the year my parents both got cancer and died within weeks of each other.

My condolences to those who have lost loved ones this year. 💐

Let's see. 3 deaths in not immediate but significant family; job loss; daughter's mental health very poor; mortgage problems. It's been challenging and I am low. But it's not hit me yet, still working through it. From my experiences with my abusive ex I am aware it will probably hit once a corner is turned. BUT by recognising the signs I am optimistic of avoiding complete collapse.

So sorry @LakieLady, a terrible thing to go through and still very fresh. it is shit for you. Utterly shit.

My childhood between 5 and 11 was horrific, still have nightmares about it now (sexually abused and raped by a teenage cousin) and my marriage between 2006-2016 was equally horrific. I have never felt as much physical pain as through those years (physical abuse, sexual abuse, Hyperemesis and Childbirth) but it was being so scared all the time that has stayed with me. I haven't felt paralyzing fear this year, even when I had Covid I wasn't scared, so to me that is a good outcome. Grief, fear and a death of hope really are the most toxic threat to humans.

Not at all, I haven't lost anybody to this awful virus and I still have a job so I count myself very lucky

SchrodingersKitty sorry for your loss. I thought my year had been bad, the worst of my life. This has made me pull myself up sharp, my worries are not comparable.

This year is coming to an end, and I can't wait to see the back end of it. So far I've dealt with my father's rapid decline into dementia, bullying at work, being sacked as a whistleblower on abuse, loss of income (but we can cope) missing friends, and DH and I have argued quite a lot. At times I've felt like pulling the plug on that, but I still have him, and love him so will preserve. DS struggling through year11. Oh, and my ex employer pushed me towards a nervous breakdown, but I shall find a way to make peace with how they have made me feel. But things are looking up DH headhunted and offered a much better job, me too, so bouncing back.

I'm so sorry for everyone struggling through. I really hope everything starts to get better for all of us.

Yes, but I’ve had two miscarriages this year so it would have been pretty shit regardless of coronavirus.