To miss the first lockdown?

[TidyOchreReader]

I know it was a tough time for many but I genuinely loved that first lockdown. I think about it all the time. There was something strangely blissful about slowing down, having fewer obligations and just focusing on connecting with people - even though we couldn’t physically see them. And when you did see someone, the gratitude was immense. AIBU to feel nostalgic for that time?

I think that for some fortunate people, the brain plays tricks on us and manages to gloss over the awful stuff and just recalls the beautiful weather and the "back to nature" feel if it all. I know that when I think of that first lockdown, my first thought is of early morning walks, sunshine and lots of flowers. But then I delve a bit deeper and I remember the fear, uncertainty and worry.

I work in a school and in our 2025/26 reception intake, 14 children already have EHCPs in place. To have enough evidence at that age to get an EHCP is unusual. These children were all born during the lockdowns. Surely that's not simply coincidence?

Nobody thinks that, Avidreader, but it was OK for some, including me. I wasn't unaware or indifferent to those who found if difficult, I was actually able to be of help quite a lot to others. However I appreciated the solitude and the peace. It suited me at that time. My husband died in 2019 and had he been alive, it would have been extremely hard for him and for us as a couple.

I think it’s shut down when there’s no consideration to the fact it was 5 years ago. I read a post recently that tried to blame a young person’s lack of social skills on lockdowns. Restrictions lasted 16 months from start to finish in the UK (March 2020 to July 2021). It’s like, what else has happened in this person’s life in the last 5 years? Don’t just jump to Covid for everything.

again, why do you bother reading the thread when you can see from the title where it's going.

you are being ridiculous.

It was disastrous in my household, then to cap it all, the dog died.
I was NHS and worked right through, as did my DP.
It's effects are still to be seen in my DS, and the relationships in our family.
However, if you had a great time, YANBU.

Yep we loved it and there’s a lot we miss. For all the whatabouters on here, it’s possible to have both.

You can both simultaneously crave the simplicity it gave you. And also feel empathy for those who struggled.

but given that one is not contingent on the other as so many think it is, YANBU.

For all the walks in nature and banana bread, there would have been someone scared for their life. Domestic abuse victims unable to escape their abuser. Marriages falling apart, children dying from abuse. People unable to see loved ones on their deathbed. I lost a friend during lockdown, not covid related but if it hadn't have been for covid he wouldn't have been where he was and would still be here today.

Maybe just maybe those lockdown lovers, who go on about the blissful time should have a think about all of that.

Absolutely ludicrous. You’re the human embodiment of picking a scab and then complaining about a scar 🤣

I hope you aren’t a government think tank person trying to gage if we will all meekly lock down again for you.

It was totally shit . The only good bits were where we tried to think of silver linings to get through.

In fairness, I know many people who didn't really feel any fear or worry.

After being isolated for 2 or 3 weeks, I know more than a few who even opened their garden gates and kids from both houses were playing together and neighbours were meeting.

Others, essential workers - non medical - had to go to work and didn't feel that bothered either.

I don't remember being worried either. I am a lot more worried nowadays that a nutcase decides to drop a bomb on my head frankly.

For a lot of people lockdown wasn’t bad at all.

I worked from home but it was much easier as not much to do and we were bubbled with my mum’s family home.

This.

I don't know if I've yet got past the point where I want to punish people who talk about their happy lockdowns. Can't we get them to pay extra tax and do community service in all the areas where we have shortages? I mean, they loved the time where others could see the economic ruin being created - so why can't they help out with it? These are the same idiots who were shocked by inflation and increasing mortgage rates.

I suppose I must have got past it a bit - because I know someone new who had a happy lockdown and I was very polite but I said to her "look I was suicidal. Can we not talk about it?"

She's got the level of brain power that you expect from somebody who didn't see the sinister side of it 😂 I'm slowly learning to see this kind of thing as an opportunity rather than just being angry with those people. Yes, I am a different person.

Meanwhile, hugs for anyone who needs them after being reminded of that time.

I said unreasonable as it was awful for kids and people who lived alone.

For our little nuclear family it was a really lovely time. DH and the DC were home it was. Really great time to spend time together.

however I don’t wish it back because for many people it was just awful.

I am sorry to hear about your niece, I can’t imagine what you have all gone through

I didn’t love the context, the fear, the grief, the losses were real and heavy. I was trying to reflect on how that time, despite everything, made me rethink how fast and full life had become. It wasn’t about enjoying the crisis but noticing what surfaced when everything else stopped. I absolutely understand that for many it was only awful, I’m not denying that at all.

@RichHolidayPoorHoliday

again, why do you bother reading the thread when you can see from the title where it's going.

Because I feel quite strongly about this. I think what COVID did to society and our consciousness was incredibly negative. It's unleashed an epidemic of mental illness, it disadvantaged a generation of schoolchildren and has driven a lot of people inward and triggered social isolation and this dreadful fetishisation of "introversion". It's had very negative effects on society.

I'm not particularly making a political point about how COVID was managed, but I do think the impact that it has had on our collective consciousness was very bad and we're still living the effects of it. And that's not even taking into account the significant economic harms it did to us. I find it distasteful in the extreme when people celebrate the genesis of this overwhelmingly negative event by being nostalgic about the fact that they won the lottery by living their Best COVID Life. It's fiddling while Rome burns.

I'm sorry if people don't agree but I'm perfectly entitled to express this on an internet forum which is designed to stimulate debate. There's no requirement (yet) that everyone has to toe a particular line on a thread. So no I'm not going to scroll past.

Although mine wasn't great as above, there was definitely benefits too, my job closing, working nights and weekends for years around DH was killing our family, the DC were all over the place, it was lovely to ground, baking, painting and never go back to night work.

This thread is really about the exhaustion of modern day life.

of course, there was real suffering. I was one of the lucky ones - kids at primary school didn’t take much home schooling, no one in my family died. But of those lucky ones, I realised I knew people who simply could not hack not going out and being among people every day in their office jobs. They were miserable and distressed from seeing very few people. I was the opposite; not performing socially for 10 hours a day was a huge relief. Of course I am very sorry for all those who suffered in lock down but I do wish different temperaments had more choice in their lifestyles. Compulsory social performance to earn a living is hell.

you will never convince me otherwise than lockdown and covid was one big shitstorm I may not be popular but I’m honest.

Nothing other than the laws of physics...

From an absolute selfish point of view i miss lockdown I.was shielded. The weather was amazing and as an introvert it was such a nice break from life and people and took the pressure of.

You can express your view but saying that you’re going to ram your view down everybody’s throat until they stop sharing their own views is frankly absurd.

Lockdown was easy for many, that’s a fact you can’t change.