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Quarantine silver linings

40 replies

Swearwolf · 22/03/2020 13:33

Day four of whole-family isolation; DH and I both struck down with what we assume is coronavirus. Feel feeble and Mother's Day is just another day. Kids can't see their friends. Anyone else looking to the silver linings?

  • we're saving a lot of money on petrol!
  • we're going to come out of it with super new skills - we've been in the garden every day mastering the skateboard and roller boots
  • mild panic about running out of food (went into it reasonably well stocked but still, stuff is going to run out and no delivery slots available) means I've managed to shift my eating habits to something more sensible and might finally shift a lb or two
  • no swimming lessons!

Anyone else finding small improvements among all the shit?

OP posts:
DGRossetti · 22/03/2020 17:49

Be curious to know how it affects crime ? Burglaries down ? (Sadly DV up ?)

Also RTA statistics. Fewer people going places, should mean fewer RTAs ? Which is a very good thing for hospitals.

ChiaraRimini · 22/03/2020 18:00

I'm looking forward to a slower, quieter lifestyle. No dragging DC out of bed for school, no commuting, taking them to activities. More time to keep on top of chores and washing. I can do more home cooking, we will eat well as long as the food supply holds out. More quality time with DC, we will work our way through the many craft kits that DD got for her birthday. DD can learn to ride her bike. Kids are going to plant some veggies and take care of them. DS2 is going to teach himself bass guitar. We are lucky that my job is safe and I can WFH, I know many are much less lucky.

WhispersOfWickedness · 22/03/2020 20:59

I did wonder earlier if we'd be able to get rid of nits once and for all if everyone treated now Grin

Also, a personal one, I have been meaning to ipl my moustache but have been putting it off as it will involve shaving it first, but since I'm not going to be seeing anyone family for weeks on end, it might be a good time to do it BlushSmile

mumwon · 22/03/2020 21:20

re organising house (slowly) rethinking meals round what we have (as pp) & actually talking to my dc (adults) everyday by phone & zoom - conference!! rethinking design of garden & discussing with this dh

bananaskinsnomnom · 22/03/2020 21:34

Pros -
I’m being so much more careful with supplies. It’s really making me think before eating and cooking, haven’t wasted anything. Also being careful with loo role!
I’ve bleached my whole house and have started prepping to paint my bathroom (a job I’ve had the paint for for 8 months)
I’ve spent the completely at home weekend clearing out stuff. Loads of stuff for charity shop and FB market and eBay. (Though currently boxed and in loft. Will deal with it once this whole situation is over)
I’ve started to read a book!

Cons:
I work in a school (HLTA) so am still in so need to be extra careful about social distancing.
I have decided to walk the 5 miles to work rather than get the bus. Good for fitness, early start. Will be tired but I only have to for a week
I also live alone. I’m getting stuff done but if we truly go to lock down I will be having no human contact for god knows how long and that’s depressing. But I know it’s for the greater good which is what sees me through.

picklemewalnuts · 23/03/2020 07:29

We actually quite like each other (at the moment!), so DH my two adult sons and I are playing board games. DS2 is doing more chores, as he has less to do than the others working from home.

Zacharyezrarawlings · 23/03/2020 07:43

no ice skating lesson for dd at 6am on Saturday mornings!
Spent a lot of time pottering in the garden yesterday really appreciating Spring.
I'm a doctor, and whilst it is going to get horrendous at least all my more boring non clinical meetings have been cencelled!

fedupfrida · 23/03/2020 07:52

Saving money on petrol/eating out/socialising/clubs/clothing etc.
Spending more time talking to close family and friends on FaceTime and WhatsApp.
The garden and house are going to be Ideal Home standard by the end of this.
Cooking and baking ninja skills. Eating everything from scratch.
A slower pace of life. No rushing around (& we already homeschool our kids so I can imagine this is even nicer for most).
The environmental impact obviously.
My new look: no make-up and trackies 😁
More board games and reading.
I’m sure there’s more.

It’s nice to look at the positives for once. There’s so much that’s scary about this situation. Did anyone see Terry Waite giving advice on how to cope with isolation last night on channel 4 news? Worth a watch.

cactus2020 · 23/03/2020 07:58

Great idea for a thread:
Time to think/reflect
Sense of what really matters
Only having to see my terrible boss once a day by Teams, not hanging over my shoulder all day
Slowing down the pace of life
Saving money? Not sure. Some extra costs to all this, but probably
Making more effort to properly rota contact with our Mum
Gardening
Eating carefully, home and batch cooked, simple cheap food, healthy
Neighbours being more neighbourly
Kindness, people asking how we all are, thanking key workers
Teens having to learn resilience, cope with social cut-off, manage anxiety about the future, finding some days they can
Spring coming at the same time, lambs, daffodils, all that
Appreciating what we have, including decent reliable media (ie BBC)

Travelban · 23/03/2020 08:04

I agree with all of them!!!
Saving money
Not taxiing the children every day
Not travelling for work and having to juggle kids around that
No pressure to see family!/organise playdates
No packing unpacking suitcases and associated washing
I am looking forward to less noise and pollution coming from the busy road next to us - hasn't abated that much yet..!

Deux · 23/03/2020 10:09

Sitting in bed at 10 am with DCs still asleep and a cat on the end of the bed.

picklemewalnuts · 23/03/2020 18:10

Empty diary- no clashes, no running late etc!
We're cleaning together after lunch everyday. Thinking about a board game after dinner every day. But we are all adults, so it's really very easy!

supercee · 23/03/2020 18:16

It's made me realise I need to really reassess my life.

Before, I went to work, worked a long shift, came back and watched TV on the sofa and ate too much shit and drank too much wine. And not much else.

Now, I've been lying on my sofa eating too much shit, drinking too much wine and work has been shelved for 7 days due to self isolating! Actually looking forward to going back.

Despite me living alone and generally liking my own company, it's made me think I should really get a hobby, get myself into better shape and possibly make tracks to find a partner.

CappyCapCap · 23/03/2020 18:34

Ds has aspergers. He has had a few weeks. 2 weeks in isolation and now no school.No early start, no stressing about going to school. Up, relaxed school work, time in the garden with the dog.

The more relaxed routine really suits him.

I went back to fulltime work when he was 6 months. So this is unexpected but lovely.

I have seen my employer for exactly what they are. I am moving on to a more flexible role after this, even if it means a pay cut. So shit now, but it's a decision I have been trying to make for ages. This has made my mind up.

Realised how much of my day is spent fielding ridiculous questions, 'managing' middle age mens tantrums and trying to head them off before they start and general office politics. Got so much more work done in a shorter period.

Sat outside at lunchtime. Not at my computer. Wasnt rushing from the alarm going off.

I am very worried about the situation. My parents are in their 60s and have health problems. Dad still works in the nhs. Ds is still recovering from a chest infection we both had about 6 weeks ago. Still not eating like he did. Dd I vitamin d3 deficient, so worried about her.

But we are all indoors. All safe as we can be and together.

Dp is off as well. He cooked dinner. And I am getting a bubble bath. Usually at is one I would be replying to emails that I didnt get chance to do, during the day. I am thinking about that, and how much of a break the planet is getting while we all are reducing our carbon foot print.

It's not easy, it's a struggle to juggle us all at home. We all get snippy, especially teen dd. But overall....this is a good time for my family.

Just wish it was in better circumstances. I wish my best friend could come round and join us. Or my parents. I worry I won't see my parents again.

But, there definitely positives in this house. Like I said just wish it wasnt in these circumstances.

StressoeZoe · 24/03/2020 01:00

Opportunity to really get some self-awareness and your deepest darkest character flaws.

Exactly how slovenly are you when left to your own devices in your own home? PJs all day? Not brush your teeth? Eat chocolate consistently?

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