To miss lockdown

[globula]

Just that really.

This is my personal view and experience and I cannot comment on the suffering the COVID situation brought to many people however for me it was great (of course the reason for lockdown wasn't great, JUST THE EXPERIENCE of it).

I have a 0hrs contract with NHS but working on a non COVID ward so was able to pick up full time hrs last year resulting in more income (normally only able to do 2 shifts per week due to lack of childcare) and didn't feel unsafe or uncomfortable if anything it was easier with less patients, no visitors and limited visits from other agencies). DH was off on furlough staying at home, doing diy, garden and helping to homeschool.
I loved having DCs here to homeschool- actually think they learned way more at home than they do at school on regular basis- and overall we had more time to spend as a family and enjoy each other's company as there was no external stress and pressure.

We don't have family around and don't go out very often anyway so I wasn't bothered by places being shut.
I loved the empty streets, buses, trains and supermarkets (maybe I just don't like ppl I don't know).

So overall for me it was brilliant. I realise that I sound extremely selfish and wouldn't say it to anyone in RL however my intention isn't to diminish anyone's hardship just needed to share how I feel.

As someone with social anxiety, it was the first time I felt like I was the same as everyone else. I had to carry on working (I work in childcare) but I didnt have to pretend I'd been anywhere over the weekend! Not seeing my family was rubbish though. Oh, and the constant worry that I was going to catch Covid from little darlings I look after of course.

Obviously some people enjoyed it and good for them. I fucking hated it and am so glad it's over, though I'm glad to stay home working.

Would you say you are an introvert OP? Studies are showing that introverts embraced lockdown and will not like returning to some kind of normal, whereas the extroverts hated it and relish the new normal

@HalzTangz

Would you say you are an introvert OP? Studies are showing that introverts embraced lockdown and will not like returning to some kind of normal, whereas the extroverts hated it and relish the new normal

I'm an introvert though and hated it...it actually meant I never got a moment alone and I found that really difficult.

Studies are showing that introverts embraced lockdown and will not like returning to some kind of normal, whereas the extroverts hated it and relish the new normal

I'd love to see these "studies". Because from anecdotal experience the introverts I know did really badly under lockdown. Much worse than the extroverts actually.

I think that whole "revenge of the introverts" stuff is completely wrong.

@Ihaveattached this is a clumsy summary, but in essence, HIV is thought to come about as a transmission from a type of monkey called sooty mangabeys to humans. It is thought that when hunting for bushmeat, an infected monkey will have bitten or attacked a human and it will have started from there although no one knows exactly when or where.

After WW2, there was a lot of displacement and competition for resources in sub Saharan Africa, so where it would have stayed in one close knit area, it rapidly spread, especially since prostitution was quite common due to poverty and depleted resources.

Of course, that’s a tiny part of things and European pillaging of Africa was certainly going on prior to WW2, its just to show how things that don’t appear to be related actually are, when you untie all the knots if you like.

Introverted and extroverted don't mean what so many people think they mean. Everyone needs some time alone. And neither is superior to the other.

I'd say I lean towards introversion and I do feel that's why I didn't mind the lack of socialising during lockdown.

We ended up "socialising" with our teens which was really good as they're usually so busy and out of the house most of the time.

It was positive then but I certainly don't want to have to do it again.

We were never furloughed, we both WFH. We loved every minute of it. Had lunch together, no wasting time on commute, no social pressure, a lot of distancing, peaceful walks, learned how to cook & bake, exercised a lot more.

Dh is back to the office tomorrow, I'll still wfh for the foreseeable and I love it.

I agree with you OP.

Absolutely loved it. Walking the dog through the village and not seeing a single car was amazing!

Sorry for everyone who didn't have a positive experience but I was devastated when our office opened up again. Luckily I only have to go in once a week.

@DrSbaitso

Introverted and extroverted don't mean what so many people think they mean. Everyone needs some time alone. And neither is superior to the other.

They don't. And that's why it was frustrating when some people positioned this story as introverts finally getting their own back in a world dominated by extroverts.

Firstly because it was a failure to understand what introversion/extroversion mean and a confusion with anxiety.

And secondly because thee was (in my view) a rather unpleasant tone about it on the part of some people who struggle socially to position this as some sort of "victory" against hated social types who force their lifestyle onto the world.

I am probably simplifying a bit but during lockdown I saw quite a lot of comments along the lines of "well the world is designed to accommodate extroverts most of the time so see how it feels when the boot is on the other foot" etc. There was something quite nasty about it, when a lot of people were getting sick and losing their jobs, some were dying etc.

@DrSbaitso

Introverted and extroverted don't mean what so many people think they mean. Everyone needs some time alone. And neither is superior to the other.

The thing I struggle with as an introvert is the open plan office. Being able to wfh with a room to myself is so much better than being stuck with scores of other people for 8 hours a day and all the noise and claustrophobia that comes with it.

Generally modern workplaces aren't really geared for introverts. Whether it's open plan offices, call centres or customer facing roles. Home working definitely levels the playing field.

I am probably simplifying a bit but during lockdown I saw quite a lot of comments along the lines of "well the world is designed to accommodate extroverts most of the time so see how it feels when the boot is on the other foot" etc. There was something quite nasty about it, when a lot of people were getting sick and losing their jobs, some were dying etc.

Nope, I think you're bang on. There is of course nothing wrong at all with being introverted, even though it doesn't mean what most people think it means, and introversion/extroversion is a spectrum on which we all fall somewhere. But the weird narrative that's emerged in recent years about how introverts are somehow superior to extroverts (deeper thinkers, the only ones to understand the bliss of solitude or enjoy long walks alone, that kind of crap) is really irritating. And while of course it's great if you happened to enjoy lockdown (I'm jealous, I was miserable), there really is something incredibly distasteful about turning it into another weapon in the tiresome introvert/extrovert bollocks.

As an introvert I couldn't bear my dh and DC being around all the time...it wasn't them, it was me. I genuinely struggle to cope if I'm around others all the time. It's almost like a physical pain.

But the weird narrative that's emerged in recent years about how introverts are somehow superior to extroverts (deeper thinkers, the only ones to understand the bliss of solitude or enjoy long walks alone, that kind of crap) is really irritating.

Absolutely.

But the weird narrative that's emerged in recent years about how introverts are somehow superior to extroverts (deeper thinkers, the only ones to understand the bliss of solitude or enjoy long walks alone, that kind of crap) is really irritating. And while of course it's great if you happened to enjoy lockdown (I'm jealous, I was miserable), there really is something incredibly distasteful about turning it into another weapon in the tiresome introvert/extrovert bollocks

100% agree.

Yes, I loved working 14 hour days six days a week to help try and keep the country running, I loved not seeing my family or friends for almost three months, I adored going without human physical contact whatsoever for 85 days. I really miss worrying out my loved ones who did have to go into work / use public transport. Yes please bring back the solitary confinement. Jeez to the entitlement and lack of empathy.

And yes to agree with others introversion and extroversion are not what most people think they are.

But the weird narrative that's emerged in recent years about how introverts are somehow superior to extroverts (deeper thinkers, the only ones to understand the bliss of solitude or enjoy long walks alone, that kind of crap) is really irritating. And while of course it's great if you happened to enjoy lockdown (I'm jealous, I was miserable), there really is something incredibly distasteful about turning it into another weapon in the tiresome introvert/extrovert bollocks

Agree, and it would be nice if each group tried to understand the other. If anyone is really interested, read Susan Cain's book

Yours,
The loud, non shy introvert.

And I'm not a hermit. I really enjoy seeing my friends and extended family. It's just that I need alone time to recharge

www.instagram.com/p/B_Wf48rlAV4/

As an introvert I couldn't bear my dh and DC being around all the time...it wasn't them, it was me. I genuinely struggle to cope if I'm around others all the time. It's almost like a physical pain.

Yeah, I feel like this in a busy office.

I was fortunate to have some space wfh.

@User135644

As an introvert I couldn't bear my dh and DC being around all the time...it wasn't them, it was me. I genuinely struggle to cope if I'm around others all the time. It's almost like a physical pain.

Yeah, I feel like this in a busy office.

I was fortunate to have some space wfh.

I'm a sahm of school age dc so was used to six hours peace and quiet each day! Having them all under my feet all day was draining!

I don't think you need to be introverted to need some time away from your family.

@DrSbaitso

I don't think you need to be introverted to need some time away from your family.

Definitely not. Time away from your family is healthy.

@SirenSays

I loved parts of it. It was so easy to walk my reactive dogs without a million people at the park. DH was furloughed so we had lots of time together. The constant knocking at the door of sales people, charity people, religious folk and spam mail stopped almost completely.

Weirdly I had the complete opposite and couldn't walk my reactive dog in the park due to the massive amount of dogs and then onto lockdown 2 the massive amount of puppies. I swear if I had one more person tell me its ok they are friendly, while my muzzle wearing, dog is going nuts, I was going to lose it