To think that life just hasn’t been the same ever since covid

[Youcantbeseriousmate]

Does anyone feel the same?

It feels like something changed. Life carries on and there are sometimes good times, but it doesn’t feel the same, people don’t seem genuinely happy anymore.
When I think back to before covid, it seems like a different world

Yes. Why wouldn't I?

On a personal basis life changed hugely and left an enormous scar but life in general seems to have returned to normal (whatever that may be).

How awful. Is that from having covid? That must be so frustrating.

Surely, it’s the cost of everything which is the issue. I mean, costs are about 50% more than they were, I think. If everything cost what it did before the cost of living crisis, I would be much further ahead with things I need to do.

My life is completely different because I had my first baby during COVID, but I'm just as happy (happier, actually but that has more to do with my children than anything!).

If anything, I appreciate nice things like time with friends and family and events more now.

My life would have changed anyway - as a PP said, child is now 6 and not 1 - but I do feel a bit worried about the future. If something happened like another pandemic, a massive cyber attack or a war we were involved in, the chances of anyone listening to the government (whatever political party) are slim to none.

I think a lot of the change is down to the reduced economic outlook. Covid basically came along at the same time as the real hit from Brexit. We haven't recovered economically and there is no sign we're going to. That lack of economic optimism makes everything gloomier which, in turn, makes people less generous to each other, shorter tempered, more demanding, etc. And the massive hit to public services means there are less resources to deal with all the problems.

If we had some prosperity and economic optimism we'd see a change for the better in how people interact socially.

Life isn’t the same. I’ve lost most of my social life because nobody does anything anymore.

I know what you mean. But I wonder if it’s co-incidence that what we see as “after Covid” is just the whole world falling apart with wars, the rise of fascism (again), and everything generally falling apart!

Have you looked for social groups on Facebook or meet up? I run local groups on Facebook and there's meet ups every week. Obviously walking groups etc too. Or join a group/team if you're up to it?

This. And missing people who are no longer with us 💔

People annoy me more and I have much less patience for any crap now. I can no longer be bothered to make much effort. But this might just be getting older 🤷

DH started a new job at the end of February 2020 and that meant us moving to a new town. We had to move house and we have few neighbours so I have really struggled to feel part of my new community.

I agree with you to some extent OP. I feel almost back to normal and I was on the shielded list.

I feel after lockdown restaurant service is now very much worse than pre lockdown. Portions are smaller, much more expensive, staff are often rude, disinterested and it often feels like service is too quick and food is practically thrown at you.

Many businesses and services still remain closed on a Monday and Tuesday as a hangover from covid.

During lockdown I worked PT went out for walks and I was extra nice and friendly to everyone I met when out for a walk. I spoke to everyone even to say hello or comment on the weather from a safe distance (aware some people might live alone and some struggling and less fortunate than me). Now we are back to normal with people looking miserable self absorbed with heads down, ignoring you if you say hello or good morning.

As another hang over from covid I still don’t like people standing too close to me. I will take an extra wide walk around anyone with a tissue, sneezing or I am more than happy for anyone to cancel if they mention feeling even slightly off colour (as thought of getting really ill and possibly ending up in an over stretched, dirty hospital is an unwelcome one).

I'm happier. Could be largely related to DS as pre COVID he was a toddler and hard work, I had massive mum guilt (and DH, dad guilt) about us both working so much with long(ish) commutes every day and missing out on so much time with him.
Now he's 8 and I work shorter hours (new role) while DH does 2-3 days from home where he can drop off and pick up DS, way less traffic so a much quicker commute and generally more time for all of us together.

Lockdown was an amazing opportunity for us to spend significant time together and make huge efforts with the extended family which has continued on.

Yes everything is more expensive which is shit but tbh, I'm just living life in the meantime until the next thing.

I had an easy Covid and am personally happier now. But I do find people flakier.

I felt much worse directly after Brexit. I think things have got worse since then. No Brexit would have meant no Boris or Liz for PM, hopefully no Farage MP.

I'd say, apart from the inability to get a GP appointment, life is for me, and my family exactly as it was pretty covid

I think it was covid which here in Wales dragged on and on - then crisis in NHS and Schools - we had family needing NHS and it was just horrifc at times - then cost of living hit just up and up and constant cutting back. Life rummbled on good and bad but background noise is just depressing.

We only been a few city centers in last few years that have felt like before covid with busy streets - everywhere else feels very dead somehow.

My life has changed, yes. For the better. Couldn't be happier about it

Agree, people including myself just can't be arsed or enthused about meeting up as much, it's sad.

Covid put a financial wrecking ball through our business and we are on the brink personally and professionally.
It's very very hard.

If we had our time again, we would have closed our business, but we took loans and tried to keep going and it just went on and on with 3 lockdowns, followed by the cost of living and interest rate rises.

We have changed a lot. We socialise a fraction of what we did, we are just exhausted from the financial pressure.
God just typing it makes me feel depressed.

Everything has got a hell of a lot more expensive and the pared back services we got haven't really returned to normal. So I do think life is tougher now than if it had never happened (I also lost my job during it). But on a day to day basis I think I’m the same as before.

I agree with this too.
It seems as though society is breaking down around us and many people think their own wants and needs take precedence over everyone else. The fall in manners and standards is immense.
It worries me too that so many people are losing sight of the fact that democracy means that we, as individuals, may not get what we want in favour of the majority prevailing.

The worry is that it seems to be worldwide

I feel things are different for many reasons I think lockdown opened up a whole new way of communicating and it became the norm. Facetime, teams etc Before covid you had to travel to everything meetings, medical appointments and now there are more options and I don't think that's always a bad thing. I think online shopping also became more popular. Also I think a lot of people realised they like being at home and it's become more acceptable to stay home. I would pick a movie and takeaway at home in pyjamas over most things and I think the world as a whole are more accepting of this as pre covid you would get the whole come on don't be boring let's go out let's do this, let's do that. As an introvert I'm much happier.

Stop looking back into the past and focus on the future. We cannot do anything about the past.