To think the pandemic has left me totally numb?

[Footlooseandtethereddown]

Anyone else feeling like?
I am completely meh about everything, going through the motions. I was meant to be going to a concert last week which had been planned for ages and was an artist I like. At the last moment one of my dc was ill and I couldn’t go. My mum asked if I was disappointed and I realised I wasn’t. I was just totally not bothered either way.
Then I considered that some more and realised that is how I feel post pandemic. I will do what I’m supposed to do and socialise and appear ‘normal’ but actually I don’t enjoy any of it. I don’t not enjoy it either. It’s all one and the same.

It seems to now transcend to everything. Things I should be pleased about, no feeling about it. Things I should be worried / disappointed about. No feeling. It’s all very level and disconnected.

i wasn’t like this before the pandemic so I can only think it’s that?! But everyone else I know irl seems fine.

Anyone here feeling like this?
AIBU to blame the pandemic for my total indifference to almost every sphere of my life?!

I am not sure who you are asking this of @oddsocksmatchifsamethickness but with me at least feeling numb is very different than feeling depressed.

It is hopping out of bed at 6:30 in the morning and very mechanically going about my daily routine, unloading the dishwasher, laying the breakfast table. It is the absence of highs or lows. When I got new that an aunt or my husbands grandad died, I would lack a normal emphatic response, sort of “that’s sad” now let see what else I have to do. Driving is terrifying because I can zone out and momentarily forget I am driving and supposed to be on the alert for other cars.

I am not sure that Anti-depressants are the answer here? But other posters may be feeing more down than zoned out.

Personally it was a similar mindset to this when growing up, which for a while helped it was mainly when I started to connect.more with my emotions that it went pickles, and the emotional rollercoaster so to speak

I was asking OP because they can make you feel this way.

I think like another poster said, everything just feels a bit flat. For me, I think it's also paired low level anxiety about the state of the world in general.

Yes. I totally agree.
I went to see a comedian I'd been dying to see the other week and I just felt - meh.
I was sort of hoping something would come up so I'd not have to go.

I'm sorry so many are feeling the same.

Gosh I totally feel like this, it’s like I don’t really look forward to much anymore, everything feels so flat, it’s definitely because of COVID. Even now post covid, you’re still having to “book” stuff whereas before you could just go if you fancied. It doesn’t help with the state of the world now, COL, war, corrupt politicians, crime etc etc, ugh.

I think we feel flat because life has supposedly gone back to normal but it hasn't because many of us are living with the repercussions of the pandemic whether it's major things like loss of loved ones to smaller things like WFH becoming the normal practice of mist companies.

I find it difficult to anticipate anything - and often for me the anticipation was part of the pleasure - looking forward, planning what to wear or eat, getting ready. Two years of crushing disappointments have changed my ability to plan and look forward in the same way, it's as if I'm protecting myself from another possible cancellation because of government dictat, various attendees getting covid, events being postponed, and now last minute cancellations due to stikes of various sorts.

It all makes me feel a bit uncertain. I try to find happiness in the moment, and I often can, but it is more of a subtle contentment rather than the highs of an excited joy.

Perhaps it’s how easily pleased you are.

I look forward to and feel happy about the prospect of a walk and coffee with a friend; stocking shopping for children; a theatre trip I’ve booked as a surprise; seeing my brother in the new year; a long muddy wood walk this weekend whilst my son at rugby with a take away coffee in my hand

Simple stuff really - but it keeps me ticking along and feeling quite content and happy with life

But if life was much much exciting than mine pre covid, then perhaps that goes to explain you feeling so subdue

I'm feeling the same, totally flat.

During covid I was actually happy to have my family at home so much, we did make the most of a shitty situation. But my child suddenly needed multiple ops for a health issue just after lockdown started, then we lost a grandparent towards the end which I'm holding a lot of guilt over and now my usual favourite part of the year is here that I'm usually booking all kinds of things for and I just can't be bothered. I'm flat. I'm also noticing now my kids aren't the same, they're having social and emotional problems and have struggled a lot this year. One is coming out of it but the others gaining momentum.

Flat is a good description, all just going through the motions.

I can't locate the post now - but one poster said "Now Covid is over..."

It ain't over 'til it's over:

news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-cases-in-uk-rise-above-one-million-12760213

"...Coronavirus infections across the UK have topped a million again, with cases rising in England for the first time since mid-October, official figures show.

"The total number of positive COVID-19 cases rose by 6% in the week to 21 November, up from 972,400 for the previous seven-day period, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

"It is the first increase in nationwide coronavirus infections since the week ending 17 October and comes a week after cases dropped below a million for the first time since mid-September."

You missed a bit.

"During the latest wave, the total peaked at just over two million in mid-October.

This is well below the spikes seen earlier in the year, when infections climbed to nearly four million in July and just under five million in March."

Covid still exists - there is no "over" - but I would argue the threat of closed schools and businesses plus ridiculous bubble rules, and any compliance with them, is 0.

It is not “over” in the sense that it still exists.

As do colds, warts and vomiting bugs.

tis life

And the fact that there’s been an increase given the time of year is in any sense newsworthy is odd

Agree with this post and OP

Even today, I’m happy to be pottering at home. But pre pandemic I would have left the house and done something fun. I’m mid 20s.

sign of growing older @camdenn ! 😂

21/22… I was out loads.

24/25… I was much more inclined to have a day pottering!

I was just thinking about this thread. Maybe it's an actual side effect of the virus? Low mood and energy etc.

This 100% The pandemic has had a knock on effect to some of my relatives MH.

I’m the opposite. Much more keen to do stuff after the enforced isolation.
I think anyone feeling numb should consider depression. It’s the first sign of it for me - numb, don’t want to do things I’d normally be excited about.

Really feeling this op.
Went through so many changes, trauma, bereavement, multiple health issues and diagnoses for me and my kids, relationship ended just before lockdown.
I am unrecognisable physically and mentally from before lockdown

I have aged so fast and haven't all my energy spirit and motivation

I have no social life anymore because of my physical health and all the disasters mean I've royally fucked up work and am barely hanging on to my job, which of course puts my home at risk

I'm lonely tired fed up, sore and to add insult to injury have covid again. This must be about the 5th time.
I'm absolutely done!

Should add, I also worked throughout lockdown and juggled home school during all this.
I do wonder if those who worked throughout are feeling the fallout more now as we just had to keep fighting through not really having time to process the pandemic and changes whilst seeing many people take up hobbies, decorate their homes etc?