Can I ask how Covid has changed you

[oldandscunnered]

I do conveyancing and since the pandemic the property market has gone through the roof. Lots of people moving to surrounding islands (on the West coast of Scotland). They are mostly southerners who do not want to live in crowded places. People also want a garden. For me it's made me realise life is short and I want to see as much of the world as I can while I can. I am going three holidays this year to different places abroad. They are not that expensive but I'm doing it now in case I can't in the future. What have you all changed?

Covid was a catalyst to a major medical issue for me. I'm back in hospital with more complications and likely to be tube fed for months.
I'm not sure when I will be fit to return to work although I will have to try and push myself when it drops to Statutory Sick Pay.
My Dh's job is extremely precarious too due to the economic downturn.
Two years ago I was frightened of catching covid. Now I am frightened we will starve or freeze. We had been financially pretty secure. That security has gone now and I'm not physically well enough to do much more to help us. There is only so much that DH can do. We are both pretty broken. Me physically, him mentally. I had another procedure today and came round to him holding my hand with tears rolling down his face.
The only good thing is that our relationship is solid. The reality check of nearly dying twice has brought us closer after years of just going through the motions working and bringing up small children. I'm not saying things were bad before but we certainly took things for granted. I'm now grateful for everything and just happy to be alive.

@Gardeninspring

I feel my panic attacks and anxiety are much worse now but for no particular reason, I can't put my finger on why but I've always got this underlying feeling of unease even when I feel happy. I also find that I want to be at home more these days, especially in the evening. If I get an invitation to go out at night I feel anxious and have to decline. If I do go out at night, I fret and can't wait to get back. It's a comfort zone thing, hard to explain.....but I know it sounds odd

@Gardeninspring
It doesn't sound at all odd to me. I used to go out in the evening all the time. Now I will if to another person's house but always make excuses if it's in town / to a pub or restaurant.

Not sure why - only reading your post has made me really realise that I'm doing it.

I realised I lived through similar to what my grandparents did during the last major pandemic. It taught me how strong I am, helped me to face up to anxieties and life long blocks. That was surprising to me. I also spend much more time with family and make more effort to see them even if I feel like I can't get out of bed. I don't live in fear as much as I used to. In fact it made me realise how much fear I had that I never acknowledged.

@CurlyhairedAssassin - yes totally agree that the Ukraine Invasion just feels even more senseless and vile coming now. Just why? 🇺🇦

I've not had COVID, yet.

I'm sad at the loss of 2 years where I had plans to travel including more time with all my family, who live away.

My Mum's been recently diagnosed with advanced, inoperable, cancer and that throws up all sorts of strange feelings (would it have been caught earlier without CV19, why didn't I just flex the rules and travel to spend time with them instead of following to the letter)

@Myfanwy81

Am so sorry for those who have suffered over the last few years. I lost my precious Dad who died of COVID January the 4th this year. Have had so !any comments asking of Dad had any underlying health conditions and not !uvh sympathy. People seem to have lost empathy when it comes to COVId already. I wasn't allowed to be with my Dad apart from a panicked phonrcall from the ward Dr fifteen minutes before he died asking me to come to the hospital. He died alone minutes before I arrived.I will never be the same again.

I am so sorry @Myfanwy81

I don't have the words at this insomniac time of night. But it is just bloody shit.

I'm much more confident about saying 'no' and being assertive about my own needs in any given situation. For example, if I'm uncomfortable going to a particular place I can suggest somewhere else. If I'm not feeling well I can explain that and I don't have to go. I don't need to take 3 hours of my day to travel accross the city in the rain for a meeting that can take place over the phone. Why didn't I know these things before?

Long covid. Cardiac referral cancelled for the 4th time. Not being able to run or spin.
Frontline NHS worker too. Our dept changed with covid (merged with another) so my job description has changed hugely, the job is a lot more stressful, people leaving in droves. Physically struggling so may have to retire early. However I'm 95% back to normal which I never thought would happen.

It's pulled into sharp focus how there are some terrible people and some amazing people and has reconfirmed to me that good people outnumber the bad.
It's a shame the bad seem to be in charge.

It has changed me a lot. I was living abroad and would have been out there for 3 years but I had to come home, everything shut down because of COVID, and foreign nationals couldn't stay (no work and no research meant our right to remain was revoked).

I was terribly sad but in hindsight, it was a good thing. I would have had to come home at some point: as it was, I came back while I still had some money and found somewhere to live/work nearer family. Since then accommodation has skyrocketed in these parts and I doubt I would have found somewhere to live if I came back now.

I had COVID in the UK on my return, I was pretty ill (pre-vaccination) but survived, it gives me the confidence I can get through serious illness. I am more tired though....but that could be just age. Lockdown was easy for me, I had become quite self-sufficient during my time overseas and quite able to spend long times in my own company.

Overall, the pandemic has changed how I view my future and travel etc. I used to be keen on travel but I'm no longer bothered, I've seen a good deal of the world and I'm glad I did so at a younger age as I really don't fancy travelling now, even though things have eased up. I certainly don't fancy being on a 'plane ever again.

I don't like crowds even more after the pandemic. I can understand all the people wanting to move to live in the countryside....it's very rural here, I can't stand towns and don't like crowds of people or traffic. In a way, COVID has made me slow down, not be so frenetic with life and be more content with quite small things, I no longer hanker after the 'big' things in life.

I left the ICU unit where I worked, it was horrific in both waves and although the unit pulled together, great team etc. The top managment didn't give a sausage - we were constantly understaffed and unsafe.

Nursing somoeone who is dying, who can't have the person they love with them that could be with them but due to rules can't. Is the worst, especially has now the governemnt were having parties at the time.

I'm much, much more angry and disengaged from society than I was two years ago. Watching the awful, unnecessary OTT lockdowns destroy the poor/ the young/ anyone who lived alone etc whilst the comfy gloating middle classes harped on like seals about banana bread and tore apart anyone who didn't toe the government line has utterly and completely destroyed my faith in society.

I’m feeling ok and have moved on, also appreciate some things more.

But one change is that I thought we’d look after children and young people as a society. We didn’t.

Plus not caring about negatives from reaction to Covid on many just wanting more of it.

@Babdoc

Well I got long Covid right at the start of the pandemic, and have been disabled by it for two years. Instead of being full of energy and busy with activities, I have to limit what I can do in order to avoid relapses where I am stuck on the sofa, fatigued and breathless.

I'm exactly the same.

I also learnt that my friends aren't friends at all.

It made me want to travel more, but i'm too ill to do that now. My career plans are also ruined.

I think covid has made me appreciate the UK and democratic countries with free press more than before.

I'm currently in Shanghai and have been locked down since 24th March. Buying food has been a nightmare. We are not allowed out of our apartment except for covid tests. Our fire doors have been welded shut and our building's entrances are chained each night to prevent anyone from sneaking out.

My son (11 years old) tested positive on Monday in an antigen test. You are not permitted to test positive and remain at home here. Even close contacts are shipped off to quarantine. The British embassy told me that there was a possibility that my son would be sent off to a camp, and we would go to another facility for close contacts if his diagnosis was confirmed with PCR. Luckily for us, our compound/CDC have been disorganised and they're only testing him officially today, so I'm hoping he is negative.

I cannot wait to get back to the UK. The measures are totally disproportionate to the risks that omicron pose to a country that has had vaccines for well over a year.

So many posts resonate, the constant underlying unease, feeling like we’re just lurching from one catastrophe to the next (and obviously climate change will hit us even harder because we’re distracted by all of these other things and not doing nearly enough about it). Out of control cost of living, Ukraine, Brexit, covid, Afghanistan, widening massive economic inequality which is highly destabilising for society, NHS struggling to keep up, VAWG with porn absolutely everywhere, corruption in government which is a threat to democracy. These are all very current concerns and coming all at the same time. So the default for millions of us seems to be set to high alert most or all of the time, which is not good for anyone.

What findingMeno (genius username!) said also: It's pulled into sharp focus how there are some terrible people and some amazing people and has reconfirmed to me that good people outnumber the bad. It's a shame the bad seem to be in charge

@Shanghai1

I think covid has made me appreciate the UK and democratic countries with free press more than before.

I'm currently in Shanghai and have been locked down since 24th March. Buying food has been a nightmare. We are not allowed out of our apartment except for covid tests. Our fire doors have been welded shut and our building's entrances are chained each night to prevent anyone from sneaking out.

My son (11 years old) tested positive on Monday in an antigen test. You are not permitted to test positive and remain at home here. Even close contacts are shipped off to quarantine. The British embassy told me that there was a possibility that my son would be sent off to a camp, and we would go to another facility for close contacts if his diagnosis was confirmed with PCR. Luckily for us, our compound/CDC have been disorganised and they're only testing him officially today, so I'm hoping he is negative.

I cannot wait to get back to the UK. The measures are totally disproportionate to the risks that omicron pose to a country that has had vaccines for well over a year.

It sounds so awful Shanghai I hope your Ds is ok

Sorry to hear so many sad stories. I lost my Dad during covid (not due to covid) and it was really difficult due to not being able to see him as much as I would have liked. My siblings, mum and I became closer though - physically we are all far away from one another, but we have learned to communicate better.

It has been a mostly positive experience for me. DH and I are fortunate to have had secure jobs during lockdown so we both kept working. I’m a teacher and was lucky to be kept busy and out of the house at keyworker schools, which was good for my well-being. My school developed a really strong community spirit and I saw the good in lots of people that I hadn’t seen before.

With all our spare time devoid of our usual socialising, DH and I ended up renovating our house and started running and cycling together. We’ve kept that up and now really make the most of the weekends - we climb mountains, ride bikes and work on the house together. Neither of us has had Covid and we are grateful for our good health and enjoy being fit and full of energy. We’ve decided over this time, for many reasons, not to have children and that has also been quite freeing.

I’ve realised how fragile life as we know it is and am making the most of things whilst I can.

I’ve lost my desire to do days out and holidays. I’m quite happy at home.
I’m not sure if it’s covid or my age that’s done it. I used to love holidays, but one beach is much like another really, and I hate the battle for a sun bed.

I have less enthusiasm for going out than pre-pandemic. Quite happy to cook a nice meal at home

I'm now extremely cynical about English politicians in general. I acknowledge that's probably unfair, but thanks to Boris & Co, I feel they're all tarred with the same brush now

I learned some DIY in lockdown, and I'm proud of that

@Flyonawalk

I have realised how little our society cares about children, teens and young adults.

I am equal parts angry and sad about this.

Same.

It became clear to me early on that the state was happy to regard my children as collateral, so I acted in their interests. This meant opting out of the rules pretty early in the pandemic, which looks like a better and better decision as time goes on. But I regret those first couple of months I did adhere to the regulations, instead of prioritising their wellbeing. That isn't a mistake I'll make again.

It has reinforced my belief in our little community and note that on the whole, people are good and caring, Take on board an old saying of "empty vessels make the most noise".

To always remember this government dont care and never did, and they dont even try to hide it now. Ensuring i keep voting accordingly.

To hold my family that little bit tighter, appreciate the time i spend with them and always make sure they know how loved they are.

Really appreciate the friendships i have around me, i knew they were amazing but my friends really stepped up to protect and support me through Covid times.

I learnt its OK to step back from people who don't have my best interest at heart.

Always keep my inhaler on me, 5 months after having Covid 🙄

It’s made me realise how much I hate my job. We are also in the process of moving into a bigger building and I really don’t want to do it . I’ve been there for years and I’m to scared to change now. I’d love to get back into care work but it’s just making that change.

A number of realisations for me. Most important one being how blessed I am to have mum and dad living 10 minutes from me. My husband had a stroke a couple of weeks before lockdown so 2020 was the year from hell and I don’t know how I would have coped without them nearby for the emotional support and helping with my 3 yo.

The other realisation is how I’ve completely changed as a person in that time I’ll never be the same again. I no longer have any real friends, have awful health anxiety, and generally find life and work so difficult.

I’m more positive. I was very fortunate to have kept on working (even got a pay rise) in the last two years. I have saved a ton of money because I didn’t go out or on go on holiday and slowing down improved my mh. The only negative is that DD’s education has suffered because her school didn’t get their shit together. I got the impression that COVID was only recognised when it impacted them and not the kids under their care.

I can be introverted and I was finding the pressure to always be doing things with people very draining. My batteries have definitely recharged and I’m more social because I’ve had the time and space.

Had COVID been a thing in 2017 it would have been a very different story for me. Fortunately, I moved to a nicer (more habitable) apartment in 2018 and that and a new job, had such a positive influence on my quality of life.