How has Covid changed you?

[L0stinCyberspace]

Been working in spare room for 18 months with some massive stressors during that time (including a friend taking her own life) and I realise I'm a profoundly different version of myself returning to the office.

I'd imagine I'm not alone in this? How different are you?

Realisations include:

I can dress comfortably but still rock my own style.

No matter how bad shit gets, every day I get pleasure from choosing clothes and makeup.

I own far too many dressy clothes.

My f*cks have flown a long time ago.

I'm quite resilient.

I'll need retraining before I can eat in front of non-family members.

I’m more vocal about not being touched and not participating in hugs that I don’t want to. I’ve never been a big hugger but did it as to not be awkward to those who do and family members, but now I don’t care anymore.

I’’m even more into nature, got into hiking, and found a love for gardening and diy.

I've become lazy and unmotivated.

I've a round stomach and un-toned arse for the first time in my life, I can't be bothered getting into any routine.

My DM died in the 1st April wave that was life changing.

Not really.

But i loved lockdown. Less people about, i spent less money,

Decided i dont like being around too many people. Once they are back out they grate on me.

The extended lead on their cockerpoo (every tom dick and harry has one). Keep that lead short in the high street 😡

The drunks and druggies are out at lunchtime.

Traffic

too many to mention!

I think it’s made me slightly more cautious and aware that we never know what the future holds. Of course I always knew that logically, but if you’d told me in feb 2020 what was to come etc etc I’d never have believed you.

Even things that seemed relatively small but guaranteed pre covid - like booking a holiday - might not go ahead, it throws off everything you think you know about what might or might not happen.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’m not locking myself in my house scared to do anything because I don’t know what’s lurking. If anything I appreciate the smaller things now, like managing a holiday or spending time with friends, because those things were available to me. I think I’ll enjoy Christmas even more last year as it was so quiet and small last year.

But I also don’t think I, or us collectively, have really processed it all yet. I do worry somewhat about the impact/effects it’s had on this generation that we don’t even know yet.

I never thought I would be able to work from home in my job, but I can, and I love it. It’s freed up my weekends because I can do washing and tidying on breaks during the weekdays instead of having to store it all up, my kids rarely have to go to breakfast club, I can pick them up earlier from afterschool club, my mornings are calmer, I’m calmer.

Collectively, we’ve also discovered that some of the work we do is massively more efficient from home. Meetings start on time and end on time. There’s much less wasted time during the day.

I’m desperately hoping at least some portion of my job remains home-based

I am way more intolerant of other people than I used to be. I’m back in the office two days a week and I cannot hear myself think with the noise. I crave being back in my silent house where I can crack on and not be distracted every 5 minutes.

I have hated working at home, now back in the office recently with a few souls but most still harbouring at home, but it is still soooo much better to be in a workplace. I have realised I value colleagues random chat, and also that life can throw unbelievable crap at you, with no one in power caring that you are a single working parent with no childcare. That you HAVE to put your needs first as no one else will.

My lungs are fucked, my circulatory system is fucked, I can’t exercise anymore, there are weeks that I can’t function cognitively.

I reevaluated life and changed my job. I value my family friends and physical contact even more than I did before.

I have never felt well since I had it and I hate the impact it has had on the health of my family and deaths of family and people I knew. I also miss life as it was and going on holidays. It has caused me to avoid certain people.
I only dropped my standards with hair make up and clothes for about 2 weeks when I had covid and for good measure 80%of my body was covered with psoriasis.
Once I got back on track going for short walks ( which felt like marathons) it was back to normal with make-up and clothes.

It’s taken the joy from everything with a weird hyper vigilant feeling that now permeates everything.
I’m not even that worried about catching it.
It’s just somehow all the shine has gone from everything.
I can’t be bothered planning or doing anymore because I don’t actually like going out now. Used to be out all the time.
It always feels like everything is going to come crashing down again.
No one has anything much to say either anymore.

I’m 2 stone heavier and grumpier

I'm considerably heavier.

I really love my job. I love teaching, properly.
I was a bit jaded before (been teaching 20+ years) but the ‘teaching from home’ was just awful. It was great to get back to it.
It is a privilege to go in and teach those children when I have such a big impact on their lives.

WFH has been a dream for me, I’ve gained 2 hours a day back and like a previous poster feel like I have time on weekdays to do chores so I don’t spend all weekend doing them. And I care less if everything isn’t spotless, mostly it’s just me and DH at home! I have kept up all my exercise classes and also do more walking and cycling now. Not lost weight but definitely fitter!

The big one for me is no longer feeling like I have to say yes to things. I’m being much more selfish about spending my free time with people I want to spend time with doing stuff I want to do. It’s lovely!

I’m stronger than I thought and when the shit hits the fan, I just get on with it.

Never thought I would have to tell my mother (on a covid ward in hospital) on the phone that my father (on a covid ward in another hospital) had passed away. And that ten weeks later I would be calling my siblings to let them know my mother had passed away in the same covid ward my father had passed away in. But somebody had to do it, and my siblings and wider family said I did it with sensitivity and grace - didn’t feel like it at the time.

On a less serious note, I tolerate my husband being around more than I thought and intensely dislike working from home while now being very anxious about covid and not wanting to return to the office.

@Summergoat

It’s taken the joy from everything with a weird hyper vigilant feeling that now permeates everything. I’m not even that worried about catching it. It’s just somehow all the shine has gone from everything. I can’t be bothered planning or doing anymore because I don’t actually like going out now. Used to be out all the time. It always feels like everything is going to come crashing down again. No one has anything much to say either anymore.

Oh summergoat, I can feel some of what you're saying - the joy being taken, not being able to look forward to things just in case they don't happen. I've tried to see the happy in small things instead- my cat being an idiot, the sun shining through a tree, spotting stars at night. Silly little things but they help me feel slightly more joyful. Hope you start to see the joy again x

Covid has completely changed me.
I was furloughed for a long time ( Hospitality)
and I realised I could survive on a lot less money so have dropped my working days.
I also have lees patience with rude or ungrateful people.
I'm fatter.

My life has done a complete 360 turnaround in the last 18 months.

In April 2020 I worked in a job I absolutely hated and I was miserable. My sister died of cancer last year and just before she passed away I really did have a "fuck this fucking shit" moment. I applied for every job I could and was lucky enough to find one I loved and meant WFH. I am much less stressed and so much more happier now.

I don't know if it's covid or losing a sibling so young that's changed me, but I really do have a feeling now of "life is too short for this". I'm happier to say if something isn't working for me anymore, I'm more comfortable in asking for what I want and need.

I treasure time with my kids and DH more. If anything losing my sister has made me look at things with my parents and siblings differently and I have found that hard because I was probably closest to my sister.

I hated being around loads of people to begin with when lockdown ended but now I've realised how much I enjoy being able to do things socially and am making up for lost time a bit now.

It made me age 10 years, get a bit heavier and lazier!

But…it made me get a new job, a new house and a new pet. I am more stable in life now than I was prior to Covid and I don’t get caught up in school gate drama or child comparisons. This has filtered through to my children, we take nothing for granted and try to make fun in every activity - even when it’s competitive.

I appreciate when I get to go anywhere but I miss feeling safe.

6 stone lighter and lost a lot of muscle weight due to NHS covid waiting lists.
Thanks covid.

Not worked since mid march. Every day is different. Think you are recovering then suddenly the palpitations, hot sweats, tight chest and brain fog reassert themselves. Back to square one. Can't exercise anymore, even going on nice long walks aren't worth it. Was due to a have an investigation (24 hour ecg) now cancelled twice because the machine that reads them isn't working. This was at the beginning of August. Just feel so bitter and cross.

I am not reliant on public transport anymore. I used to cower pre covid to drive somewhere that wasn’t inside my bubble and covid forced me out of my comfort zone and I am so grateful for it. I still use the train however it’s at my convenience - not because it’s my only option as I’m too scared.

I realised how little respect the government, parents and students have for school staff. It made me change the way I work and now I"m looking to get out of education completely.

What Roominmyhouse and AFS1 said: love working from home! Better work life balance all round.

And we recently had the news that wfh will continue for the most part... Might have to go in 1 day a week but that'll be it. It's a newish job too, and my old place are all back in the office 😓 I'd have been so upset to have to go back.

That I am stronger and more resilient than I ever thought, that I am the backbone of my family in ways I never realised before. However, I do have a breaking point so I do need to look after myself.

That myself and my youngest can handle being at home but my husband and eldest need to be out of the house and interacting with other people.

That everything can literally change in an instant.

You cannot rely on others, you need to look out for yourself and fight for those that cannot yet fight for themselves.

People are selfish.