Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
gingerlace · 03/11/2020 22:05

Not for me.. I was sent to work from home in March due to being pregnant, I loved the extra time with my other one before baby came. My husband has actually had time off this year.. he had 6 weeks with no work due to covid, with the self employment scheme it meant he could be at home and we didn't have to worry about money which was actually amazing as he never ever takes holidays because he's self employed. We've missed out on lots of things obviously but time together as a family has been lovely.
I know lots of people have suffered and not all have been so lucky with support if unable to work.. but for us it's been a rare chance to step back and enjoy the simple things!

hibbledibble · 03/11/2020 22:05

Yes. I now have PTSD as a result of seeing horrific events on a covid ward. I'm a junior doctor, and have seen plenty of deaths, but nothing like this. It was traumatising, statistics show that a significant portion of healthcare practitioners now have PTSD, depression or anxiety, or a combination of the above.

I genuinely felt like we were cannon fodder, both in terms of our physical and mental health.

Ellmau · 03/11/2020 22:06

I guess the worst calendar year, Jan-Dec. But I'm lucky - I have a job, secure for now anyway, and no one I love has caught Covid.

But I had an awful year June one year to August the next when my relationship broke down unexpectedly just before we were supposed to get married, and I couldn't get a job (having turned down opportunities for the relationship with Lying Ex). I cried every day for most of a year, sometimes in the street, and was suicidal.

Whatisthisfuckery · 03/11/2020 22:06

Fuck no, nowhere near. 2016 was a horrific year, closely followed by 2018. I lost my eyesight very suddenly amongst other horrors in 2013 and that was only my third worst year. I had some terrible years in my teens as well, so this year has been mildly irritating in comparison.

This year hasn’t actually been too bad, in fact there have been some very positive things. I finally wrapped up my acrimonious divorce from my abusive XH and I moved back to my home town closer to my family. My relationship of nearly 7 years ended and it’s been very stressful with covid and the move, but compared to some of the absolute shitstorms I’ve had in the last few years this year has been a doddle so far. It ain’t over yet though.

Ginkypig · 03/11/2020 22:07

I should add that the shit stuff and ill health is terrible wether the world is collapsing or not so it really doesn’t matter that more shot has been heaped on top!

Diavoloroquito · 03/11/2020 22:07

No, my young cousin died last year. That was truly the worst ever . Very sudden and unexpected. So no I don’t complain about anything anymore. I have so many problems but I wouldn’t care if I just had my cousin back.

Benjispruce2 · 03/11/2020 22:08

No. The year my mum died was the worst.

greytminds · 03/11/2020 22:08

This year is definitely challenging for top spot in my shittest years. I had a late miscarriage at 16 weeks in September. It’s possible that, if Covid hadn’t led to the clinic I needed being suspended, that I would have had better support in early pregnancy and maybe the outcome would have been different. Add that to that a family member being ill with Covid, the isolation, job stress and it hasn’t been much fun. Things are strained with my DH and that’s really unusual because we’ve supported each other through hell and back in the past. I’ve had other years where there’s been amazing ups and heartbreaking downs (wonderful wedding, heartbreaking miscarriage) but not one as grindingly shit as this without any real end in sight. I do also have lots to be thankful for and A family I love but the gratitude doesn’t always keep the misery away.

ShottaSheriff · 03/11/2020 22:08

This year is definitely challenging for top spot in my shittest years. I had a late miscarriage at 16 weeks in September. It’s possible that, if Covid hadn’t led to the clinic I needed being suspended, that I would have had better support in early pregnancy and maybe the outcome would have been different. Add that to that a family member being ill with Covid, the isolation, job stress and it hasn’t been much fun. Things are strained with my DH and that’s really unusual because we’ve supported each other through hell and back in the past. I’ve had other years where there’s been amazing ups and heartbreaking downs (wonderful wedding, heartbreaking miscarriage) but not one as grindingly shit as this without any real end in sight. I do also have lots to be thankful for and A family I love but the gratitude doesn’t always keep the misery away.

thebear1 · 03/11/2020 22:08

For me covid has made hard things that have happened harder. But I have had worse mental health than I do at present.

AntiHop · 03/11/2020 22:09

No where near my worst year. Every year of my childhood and my early 20s were worse due to my toxic parents.

ShadyBansheeThing · 03/11/2020 22:09

No, probably the worst was having severe depression and panic attacks in 2013, then 2015 which was the last year of being with my ex and being desperate to end it but being too scared, though I finally did it.

In lockdown I mainly just felt so relieved I wasn’t having to spend it with him! And I’ve been lucky that my work hasn’t been affected much.

So sorry to the people who have suffered so much worse times Flowers

Ellmau · 03/11/2020 22:10

I guess the worst calendar year, Jan-Dec. But I'm lucky - I have a job, secure for now anyway, and no one I love has caught Covid.

But I had an awful year June one year to August the next when my relationship broke down unexpectedly just before we were supposed to get married, and I couldn't get a job (having turned down opportunities for the relationship with Lying Ex). I cried every day for most of a year, sometimes in the street, and was suicidal.

LynetteScavo · 03/11/2020 22:11

No, not at all.

Some crappy things have happened; I've seen more health professionals with my DC than I could possibly have anticipated. DH is earning less and I've put on weight - neither of which are the greatest....but it's been an OK year so far. Some moments have been absolutely lovely, and all of those are a direct response to lockdown. I've had much worse years 2010 was a complete bitch

2020 is very far from the worst year of my life!

Thanks To all those having a crappy time x

Lovely1a2b3c · 03/11/2020 22:11

@anotherBadAvatar

Yes

I’m a doctor and have had a fairly easy life until now - health/happiness etc.

This year has been the shittest of my life, and had some awful news today to top it all off.

Me and my colleagues are at breaking point.

Flowers Thinking of you.
Diorissimo1985 · 03/11/2020 22:12

Probably my second worst, but not because of Covid. Worst year was 2011 - awful work situation, deaths of two close relatives, relationship breakdown, bad debt, inadequate housing and dark depression.

2020 has been bad due to two consecutive miscarriages, my DM getting cancer again and my sister’s newborn baby being very seriously ill. Covid makes all of the above harder but I don’t feel Covid has made the year awful for me personally. Not fussed by my holidays being cancelled etc. It’s pretty insignificant compared to the big stuff Sad

gah2teenagers · 03/11/2020 22:12

No. 2019 watched both parents die horrifically and a bloody dog mauled my beloved cat to death so I can cope with anything now.

BillywigSting · 03/11/2020 22:12

It's been an awful year but it's not the worst year of my life no.

Dp was made redundant which was shit, my dgm was diagnosed with blood cancer (a very slow form which won't kill her but has made her very poorly) which was also shit.

But I got a new job that I currently at least really enjoy, no one I know has died and ds is doing ok in school despite the pandemic.

I'm not suicidal which I have been in the past and my mh definitely took a hit over lock down so I'm mostly just quite glad I made it to 30 tbh. I never thought I would.

There have been glimmers of good things this year and nothing lasts forever, even if it feels as though it might.

gah2teenagers · 03/11/2020 22:13

No. 2019 watched both parents die horrifically and a bloody dog mauled my beloved cat to death so I can cope with anything now.

Sarahandduck18 · 03/11/2020 22:13

Worse years than this: 1991-6, 1999-2000, 2003, 2007-2009, 2013, 2019.

It’s not been so bad- good income, saved more, secure home, more family time, kids education not suffered, all been healthy, still had nice staycation, positive things on the horizon.

But best: no death/disability/abuse/poverty/homelessness etc.

SpeckledyHen · 03/11/2020 22:14

Nope . When my best friend died from breast cancer aged 35 leaving a baby 11 months and a 3 and 5 year old . Then my dad died in his sleep a few months later .

Lovely1a2b3c · 03/11/2020 22:15

@Fromthetopmakeitdrop

Yes 100%. My mum died very suddenly and unexpectedly age 52, I've been working on COVID wards throughout and my relationship has ended. I honestly don't know how I'm still standing but I don't think its necessarily the pandemic that's caused things to be so bad. It's just made a terrible time a bit worse. Having said that I am grateful to have had work to focus on and I know I'm lucky to have a secure job. I'm trying to practise mindfulness and not sweat the small stuff. A work in progress!
Flowers I'm so sorry for the loss of your Mum.
Lovely1a2b3c · 03/11/2020 22:16

@Fromthetopmakeitdrop

Yes 100%. My mum died very suddenly and unexpectedly age 52, I've been working on COVID wards throughout and my relationship has ended. I honestly don't know how I'm still standing but I don't think its necessarily the pandemic that's caused things to be so bad. It's just made a terrible time a bit worse. Having said that I am grateful to have had work to focus on and I know I'm lucky to have a secure job. I'm trying to practise mindfulness and not sweat the small stuff. A work in progress!
Flowers I'm so sorry for the loss of your Mum.
IcedLimes · 03/11/2020 22:17

No. The worst time of my life by far was the first 18 years due to home life. Had a good life for 19 years with lovely dh who died. That was awful but i still have my lovely dds.

namechangeforfriday · 03/11/2020 22:17

No. It’s not particularly enjoyable with the pandemic but I’ve been lucky not to have my job affected. Even with covid, my life is hugely preferable now to how it was pre-2018

Swipe left for the next trending thread