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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does anyone else hate crowds since lockdown?

19 replies

Meili04 · 16/10/2022 13:25

I'm absolutely not a lockdown lover but I really can't cope. I live in a semi rural town which isn't that busy at weekends. When I go to large shopping centres out of area I feel freaked out and overstimulated. I got what I needed then drove back to the country pub. I'm only 29 and while I didn't love crowds before I could cope, I feel old before my time. I've tried a number of times now, will it get better or is this just my personality?

OP posts:
Elphame · 16/10/2022 13:35

I've always hated crowds and always avoided them as much as possible long before covid.

EmmaH2022 · 16/10/2022 13:42

I've always hated crowds

I love music but I cannot go to a venue like the 02 or Wembley. I deliberately chose work to avoid rush hours when possible.

years ago, I turned down a second interview with an excellent company because their open plan office had so many people in it.

I know people who have found meditation etc helps but I just design my life to avoid crowds as much as possible, and I'm a Londoner (not through choice) so it takes a lot of planning.

DesMoulinsRouge · 16/10/2022 13:45

I've always disliked crowds. For days out we get up early and go then we're done by the time things get busy.

butterfliedtwo · 16/10/2022 13:49

Yes, it makes me slightly anxious now. Didn't bother me before.

I also really dislike handshakes now when it was only a mildly irritating custom previous to covid. I probably need to untangle that with a doctor.

Fastandlupine · 16/10/2022 13:51

No, I'm the same as before, don't mind them, love a good concert

JamSandle · 16/10/2022 13:51

Never been a fan of them so im much the same 😀

TeenDivided · 16/10/2022 13:52

I was never that keen but was OK.
I'm definitely more averse now and am putting off things like local large shopping centre or going to the theatre.
Just keep pushing yourself occasionally and you'll hopefully get used to them again.

alterego2 · 16/10/2022 13:54

Never loved crowds but could cope - now I really hate them and find them so stressful

Hbh17 · 16/10/2022 13:56

No. In fact, after lockdown it was a genuine treat to be back at a big event and have a collective experience with thousands of other people. I even love being jammed into a crowded Tube carriage - I accept that I might not say that if I had to commute on the Tube everyday!

NightmareSlashDelightful · 16/10/2022 13:56

I think it is a post-pandemic thing.

I like(d) crowds; I live in a big city, like going to live music, don’t mind a crowded bar etc.

I have noticed that I’ve been less tolerant of all of the above since the pandemic. However, it is receding; the more I do those kinds of things again, the less the feeling of slight crackle bothers me.

The one thing that still bugs me is being packed too close in restaurants. If there’s only six inches of gap between one table and the next I get all <cat’s bum face>.

EmmaH2022 · 16/10/2022 13:59

butterfliedtwo · 16/10/2022 13:49

Yes, it makes me slightly anxious now. Didn't bother me before.

I also really dislike handshakes now when it was only a mildly irritating custom previous to covid. I probably need to untangle that with a doctor.

Just channel the King and do a namaste.

Jackienory · 16/10/2022 14:00

Elphame · 16/10/2022 13:35

I've always hated crowds and always avoided them as much as possible long before covid.

Me too.

GCAcademic · 16/10/2022 14:03

Yep. I grew up in London and after I moved away, loved visiting and would have regular stays there. My first trip after Covid, I hated it and ended up leaving early.

Rainbowcat99 · 16/10/2022 14:07

Same as others, I hate crowds and busy/noisy places and always have.
Covid has sort of given me permission to avoid them now though.

EmmaH2022 · 16/10/2022 14:09

GCAcademic · 16/10/2022 14:03

Yep. I grew up in London and after I moved away, loved visiting and would have regular stays there. My first trip after Covid, I hated it and ended up leaving early.

At one stage, I looked at moving away and told my parents I would move back if they needed me to. They were really upset and said "that means you won't come back". In many ways I wish I had - they would have been obliged to move to me then - but I can totally see now that if I had left when I first wanted to, I would not have returned.

VladmirsPoutine · 16/10/2022 14:43

I've hated crowds and noise since way before lockdown. The 2m rules in supermarkets was something of a dream for me.

SherbetDips · 16/10/2022 14:44

I’m fine with them now but for a while it was a bit stressful. Especially in London as it was soo quiet then suddenly busy again.

Badger1970 · 16/10/2022 14:46

I think I've got more like this with age rather than Covid. I get quite grumpy if we see another dog walker when we're out, like how dare they use this footpath too!

We went to see a band at Wembley a few months ago and I found it very overwhelming ... said to DH that I think my concert days may well be behind me Sad

MadMadMadamMim · 16/10/2022 14:54

I've always hated crowds, too. I feel claustrophobic. Since Covid it's probably worse - I avoid going out if it's going to be really busy. Home is quiet and rural and peaceful and it's where I'm happiest.

I suspect I don't really like people all that much!

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