If you knew we were going to be in lockdown for a year ..what would you of done different???

[Kab30]

Just been thinking what I would of done differently...

Definitely try to loose weight
Definitely be more lenient on myself and try to chill a bit more
I should of decorated and gardened etcetcetcetc lol

However my five year old has kept me sane ..insane .happy and mad all in one xx

Wish I’d done some decorating, will save that til the autumn now! First lockdown I managed to declutter and this lockdown I’ve managed to lose 1.5 stone so I’m pleased I at least achieved that part even if it’s been pretty miserable being sober and sugar free for 12 weeks

I would have-
Been retired, like my neighbours, played flamenco music, lazed in the garden, gone to Spain for three months (in my second home) and had the vaccine

Instead-
we worked all year, no holiday, had kids at home, supported them through GCSE's and still no vaccine for me

Awaiting years of me and my kids paying for this while pensioners still have triple lock- angry much- yes me

Not allowed the anxiety and insomnia to take hold of me like it did in lockdown 1.0

Not drunk as much (in a bid to get me too sleep only to wake at 1am) and thus putting on a stone in weight

I wish I hadn't cared for homeschooling my reception child and just enjoyed our time together

Should have bought a lovely villa near the ocean in the Caribbean, with all exotic plants in the garden,and some parrots in the trees.. But then I would have missed my three cats all the time.!

Lockdown 1, I was furloughed and pregnant. For some reason I felt a need to keep myself busy with useless chores but if I had the chance again, I’d relish that time and have more naps, read more books and relax!!

Lockdown 2 with a non sleeping baby has a very different vibe

I know everyone talks about how awfu being furloughed is. But I would have liked a bit of time off on 80% pay for a bit of lockdown tbh.

Not gained weight.

Exercised.

Decluttered/DIYed

Took up a hobby, a craft or language.

Not lost touch with a couple of people that I have.

Less screen time. Especially MN.

@Bomchiccawick

Wish I’d done some decorating, will save that til the autumn now! First lockdown I managed to declutter and this lockdown I’ve managed to lose 1.5 stone so I’m pleased I at least achieved that part even if it’s been pretty miserable being sober and sugar free for 12 weeks

Huge pat on the back for you. Booze and sugar free through this last lockdown is some achievement.

I wish I’d saved more money instead of spending money on crap.

I started properly working out every day in January but wish I’d started that at the start of the first lockdown as I’d be in better shape now if I had!

Sorted the garden and built a nice patio. Thankfully we’re getting round to it next month but it would have been fab during lockdown no 1 with all the nice weather.

Finally, I wish I hadn’t spent most of last year worrying about things I can’t control. Thanks to yoga and mindfulness, I’m a bit calmer now.

Bought a blender early so I could make my stupid iced coffee frappuccino things at home when starbucks was inaccessible.

Also would've been nice to know earlier that DH (tattoo artist) would be able to change his career slightly so we have a better income now than before LD as it would've reduced a lot of stress.

Also I wish I'd bought my bluetooth earphones earlier. I have them in every waking hour and adore them.

I would have kept the exercise bike I gave away just before covid.

Ordered a skip!

@UsernameFail

Not allowed the anxiety and insomnia to take hold of me like it did in lockdown 1.0

Not drunk as much (in a bid to get me too sleep only to wake at 1am) and thus putting on a stone in weight

I wish I hadn't cared for homeschooling my reception child and just enjoyed our time together

I totally agree ....yes my lo school was fab all the way thro but I wish I didn't beat myself up and get everything done with my five year old ..when after all the work we did they haven't even asked to see it ...saying that teachers are worth their weight lol I couldn't do it xx

Employ a nanny/au-pair to live with us during the lockdown
and take care of all the homeschooling.

Actually, I would probably have rented a property abroad and spend the lockdown there instead of being stuck in the UK! It was very possible in some countries.

Got less fat. Argued harder to be allowed back to the office last summer. Set my double screens up on my desk sooner instead of spending months squinting at a tiny laptop screen. Properly cleaned my coffee mug up before I left it in my locker on 20 March 2020.

@ArosGartref

Dyed my hair blue.

This, only violet.

Moved my Dad out of the Uk and down to be with me in a safer country.

I wish I hadn't been so laid back about fitting in a hairdressers appointment. I have worked constantly throughout lockdown, so am unable to hide away with my undyed for over a year, uncut for 8 months scraggy hairstyle.

If you’d told me it was going to be at least a year I don’t think I’d have coped.

If you’d told me definitively exactly when it would end I could have got more done, I need a target date!

Moved home to NZ for the year. The D.C. would have had an amazing time.

Emigrated to New Zealand

It's a particularly female preoccupation to be concerned about what you didn't do.We've been in a pandemic, we've stayed alive and healthy and kept families together.
In saying that I've a huge list of things I wish I'd done. I've decorated the hall and four rooms but a lot more to go.

Not gained as much weight in pregnancy. It hasn’t dropped off with breastfeeding!

Cat proofed the garden in the winter.

Taken more breaks from work last summer in the gorgeous weather.

I would have planned to have a baby a year earlier (expecting DD now). I was on furlough for five months...could have had double maternity leave!

Probably nothing. I've worked throughout mostly from home and have mostly been busier than usual due to others furloughed and Covid making my job harder. I felt a bit jealous reading about people decluttering/crafting/baking/gardening etc but probably better I didn't have time as I probably wouldn't have done it or done enough and would now be regretting it!

My regular exercise classes went online so have been able to do more than usual. I've kept it up and am definitely fitter but not thinner as I've eaten more thanks to wfh and stress. In the spare time I did have I went on walks and discovered new places in my own area. We went on a UK holiday and have booked another for this summer.

It's not been an enjoyable year through and am looking forward to the return to "normal" as I'm just bored and stressed.