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Original poster

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:
alseb · 23/11/2020 09:00

2020 doesn't come close to being my worst year

HoneyWheeler · 23/11/2020 09:12

No. My NQT year of teaching was worse personally.

Funkypolar · 23/11/2020 12:20

Nope. Financially comfortable, with a career (seeing chartered membership) and in a good place. Pregnant with a much wanted baby. In a much better place than I was four years ago.

Life is very much a series of ups and downs. I’ve been very sick with hyperemesis gravidarum this year but hopefully getting back on track now.

BashfulClam · 23/11/2020 19:20

Not really I started a new job before lockdown that is really good and let’s me work from home. I’ve saved £3k, DH got a great new job he’s doing well in and pays really well.

Loosingmymind12 · 27/11/2020 12:50

Yep. Worst year of my life. Husbands adopted daughter decided to make contact now my marriage and home life is in tatters as he is using me as an emotional and verbal punching bag. Brilliant

WoolieLiberal · 27/11/2020 20:47

No. Not the worst year at all.

That would be the year 2 much loved family members died in fairly quickly succession.

This year has been tough but I saw more of DD’s in lockdown than I would have done if they were at so it had its upsides.

SomewhereEast · 27/11/2020 21:01

No, but only because I had some spectacularly awful years when I was younger...much of my childhood was quite chaotic & dysfunctional & I had awful MH in my teens. Even so I've hated this year, despite being very fortunate in all sorts of ways. The lack of any fun or spontaneity and all the weird intrusive ever-changing rules are totally draining

MinnieMountain · 27/11/2020 21:04

Yes, because my DM died suddenly at the age of 69.

beavisandbutthead · 27/11/2020 21:11

Last year was the worst of my life, 49yr old DH diagnosed with two different cancers, hospitalised for months after complications from surgery, him turning into a nightmare and terrifing me and the DC. Not being able to complete chemotherapy as he ended up getting neutropenic sepsis. My DD went off the rails and all my DC needed support at school. I went back to work at the start of the first lockdown and it has made my life so much easier as I am dealing with all the DC and DH. I WFH due to lockdown and I couldnt function fully if i was out travelling to my meetings. This year hasnt been great as depsite treatment my DH cancer has spread , we cant go out anyway as he is too frail but his nightmare family cant visit so i feel more relaxed and knowing they cant come for xmas is actually a relief. We always had xmas at home but due to the nightmare last year we all travelled to his DB to be with him his family and my DH parents. Not again...I am fairly sure this year will be his last xmas and it is important his DC spend it with him

WithLotsOfSprinkles0 · 27/11/2020 21:11

Worst year of my entire life.

The contradictory rules, the agenda by the media the government, botched up statistics, useless face masks (doctor on the ward said they're much use a chocolate fire guard), the control, the shutting down of everywhere..shower of shite it is

maddiemookins16mum · 27/11/2020 21:14

No way. It’s been very ok for us (but I totally accept I am very blessed).
Now 2013, and deciding what coffin to choose for my mum was another story.

RiverMeadow · 27/11/2020 21:16

@greenbks
So sorry for your loss Thanks

Glitterblue · 27/11/2020 21:17

No. Last year was. We lost two of our beloved pets within a month of each other, and a third by the end of the year. DH was in a car crash and the car was written off, a couple of weeks later my best friend ended our friendship, and DD's godfather who had cancer became extremely ill at the end of the year. He passed away at midnight on the 31st of Dec.

RiverMeadow · 27/11/2020 21:20

No this hasn't been the worst year of my life, not my a mile. I have a gorgeous home, a lovely DH and beautiful children, I have a job and we're all red and happy.

The worst year of my life was when my Mum left my abusive stepfather when I was 14/15. Me and my siblings and Mum had to live in a hostel type place with drunks etc until we were given temporary housing. We all shared a tiny room, there was no heating (it was winter, it was bitter) and we were so hungry. We weren't allowed in during the day either, only to sleep on a night.

That was 16 years ago and I've been eternally grateful for the life I've lived since then.

RiverMeadow · 27/11/2020 21:21

*Fed not red!

HelplessProcrastinator · 27/11/2020 21:30

In 2018 I lost 3 people including a parent to cancer and my DD with ASD was permanently excluded from primary school. Putting her back together again and dealing with the emotions around her going to special school while grieving was the worse stress I have experienced. T

This year has been shit but DD is now happily back in mainstream luckily I haven't lost anyone to COVID or anything else. We are safe and can cope for a few more months with so much to look forward to.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 27/11/2020 21:41

No.

My DH died of leukaemia after batting for 5 years. he was 28.

I thought my life was over.

Am looking to be grateful for what I have atm.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 27/11/2020 21:44

*should probably have said that the gratitude includes a DH and 3 dc and it was a very long time ago but am thankful every day that I have had a second chance at happiness

Port1aCastis · 27/11/2020 21:47

No, the worse year was when exh was subjecting me to dv managed to get out but he broke my arm and my cheekbone before I ran so in comparison this year isn't too bad, dd and I are safe we are warm, dry, have food and are away from the violence so I'll take this year.

pinkstripeycat · 27/11/2020 21:49

I’ve loved spending time with my kids at home so not the worst year of my life at all

mangoandraspberries · 27/11/2020 21:50

No, not in terms of what has actually happened to me.

However I have found it very hard not to have as many people to talk to about what is happening when I’ve had stressful periods, which has been very hard

BluebellsareBlue · 27/11/2020 23:37

No it's absolutely not the worst period of my life. Thats was 5 years ago when my mum was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and I nursed her (retired from my job ill health at 42 - police officer) until she passed away three years ago. All this happening and in an emotionally abusive relationship where I finally split up with him in March this year... he's still in the house but will be leaving in 14/12. In September I met a man 30 years almost to the day that we met and have fallen irrevocably in love with him. Finally, I see light at the end of the tunnel and can only now see a future for me and I am so so happy.

Yes it's been an odd year but it's been the best year I've had in the last 5.

MazDazzle · 27/11/2020 23:49

No. It has been tough though and there have been some really challenging moments. DH was working abroad and didn’t get to come home for over two months, homeschooling was awful and working from home while keeping three kids (1 with AAD) happy was not fun. But we are all healthy and our jobs are secure, so we are very fortunate.

The worst period of my life was when I was pregnant with DD2. During my pregnancy my DM had a mental breakdown, my DF died suddenly and shortly after my daughter was born my DH was involved in an accident where he very nearly died (others were not so fortunate). He suffered PTSD, which combined with a newborn put us under a great deal of stress. It was a difficult time and I was still grieving.

Vinorosso74 · 27/11/2020 23:49

Possibly, yes but 2007 and 2020 are battling it out. I have found it a mental struggle. Home schooling took it's toll and our flat is too small for us all to be in it nearly all the time.
My dad had a heart attack, surgery and lots of post op complications. It was an awful time. Thankfully he's doing ok now but the follow up care is lacking what it normally would be.
Two people I know have had untimely deaths (not Covid) which I have found a struggle to get my head around.
I'm finding it really hard not being able to see the people I want to. It's shit.

Member869894 · 28/11/2020 08:35

On balance I think it's been one of my better years. I've been very lucky to have been able to work from home and have spent more time with my children and dog. I've also realised I dont need to shop so much and to think about what really is important to me. I've learned who my real friends are. I loved not feeling pressure to go out and be social nor to invite people in when they knock at the door. I've realised I prefer a more relaxed, slower, calmer less sociable life. I've had a few sadnesses and I worry about my elderly mum and for people who I know are struggling but overall it's been a positive experience.