What has this situation taught you?

[Bearbehind]

Mine are

• Individually, we’re each pretty insignificant
• A lot of day to day shit really doesn’t matter
• There’s somethings that are so far beyond our control it’s pretty much incomprehensible
• There's an awful lot of selfish fuckers out there who think rules don’t apply to them
• There’s an awful lot of people out there who put others before themselves and do what they can to help

The company I work for are being really supportive.

Being a single mum with no support for years has more than prepared me for this.

The people who really keep this country running are finally being recognised.

The online forums, quizzes and exercise classes are great. Many people who have been socially isolated for years are able to get involved. I really hope they continue.

I'm equally sad about how many people don't like their children and how many children seem incapable of entertaining themselves. The two are definitely connected.

I'm really not interested in all the people showing off about their home schooling talents.

The huge risk of running our own company

That I am thankful to be a teacher, to have walked straight back into a job and that I've actually missed (some) of it.

That I definitely have some kind of fatigue problem, it's not normal and it's really obvious with everyone at home that I cant give them what they all need without a lie down/nap in the day. My husband is also surprised at how much pain I live with!

Savings are important!

My husband is really irritating (I already knew that but nothing like a timely reminder!)

I place a very high value on education and everyone doing the right thing. I've tried to not be bothered like some people but I can't!

That my husband can get depressed too.

My family is the most important thing.

That I'm not too old to miss my mum even though she usually drives me up the wall and my dad, the voice of reason.

That I hate online group chats

How precious life is.
How capable I am
How scared and fragile and useless I feel
How wonderful life is

How connected the globe is and how quickly we can change behaviour around the whole planet when forced to. Which makes me wonder if we can make long term global changes after all for issues like climate change once the pandemic is over.

More personal level - not much has changed as I’m still working. I miss a few hours of time to myself as the kids are home and I miss being able to go where I want but overall I’m a homebody and introvert anyway so it’s been ok so far.

I’ve learned to appreciate the people who are really important - the bin collectors, the post workers, all the people who get food to our tables, the people who can repair broken things (from toilets to traffic lights).

I've realised that although I've always said I could pack in my job if I won the lottery, I actually quite like it! The day to day crap that goes with being a teacher gets me down, but generally I do actually enjoy my job and I know I'm lucky to have that job stability.
Having said that I've also learned that I can stay at home for a week and not be bothered about leaving the house at all.

Also technology and social media is not always a bad thing despite what I might moan to my teenage DCs. I'm glad there are ways to keep in touch.

That my family can watch me cook, clean, do laundry, feed the cat, and all that other daily, boring routine shit... and never ONCE think to offer to help.

That scared people get very irrational & horrible.
I can do a few things I did not know were possible for me.

That a lot of people have no idea what they are really voting for, until they really need it, but then it's too late.

That the whole education system needs to be revolutionised. Learning for many children's mental health would be better away from the school setting, not all children by any means, but a significant percentage.

I've realised that although I've always said I could pack in my job if I won the lottery, I actually quite like it!

I've been listening to Smooth radio whilst working, I think it was last week but one of the presenters said that if he won the lottery he wouldn't be back after the weekend.

I thought, yeah you would, not like you could go anywhere.

That DH spends a literal fortune on take away coffee. (He's still at work so I'm noticing a lot more as the bank account drips down) He blames me for unnecessary spending but it is absolutely him!

That I really miss the simple things.

That I'm absolutely terrified of losing my parents.

How ordinary people got behind totalitarian regimes.

Oh my god yes!! The speed at which we went from normal life to people wanting to notify the police because their neighbour had been out 3 times that day. The totalitarian streak running through so many people scares me more than the virus

My feelings too.

I've also started seeing how totalitarian regimes are supported by the populace.

I've been shocked by how many people seem to be willing to grass up their neighbors for not following the rules. Including not clapping.

That I still love my DH after 28yrs and he never ceases to surprise me. I thought he would really struggle with lockdown but is doing far better than me.
That even though I miss seeing everyone I still need a break from virtual social interaction every few days.

wrongside I am a non-clapping rebel and proud of it! ( however I am an NHS worker who is unable to work at the moment)

It also makes me value those who take the risk of running a business more.

The British have a really odd habitat of demonising success in a way other nations don't. Sure - some of these people make plenty of money - but they also fund our public services, create employment and take a lot of risk in so doing.

That there are certain things around the house that will never get done, no matter how much time we have!

That I undervalued my family. I put too much importance on some friendships and being home and away from people has allowed me too let go of them a bit. That I'm actually very happy with a quieter life, I've always felt the need to be going somewhere and doing something.

That the government really don't care much, if at all, for the vast majority of us.

Just how incredibly lucky I am that both I and my DP have stable, secure jobs (emergency services). I cannot imagine the pain and worry that so many people are facing right now with reduced incomes and concern for the long term prospects of their jobs. We will continue to pay for things that we know we won’t use (nursery, kids extra curricular activities) because our financial situation hasn’t changed and hope to do our small bit by helping those that we have relied on by helping their businesses remain solvent. I hope that everyone in our position will do the same.

I’ve realised that I do not need to make daily trips to the supermarket and needed a wake up call to see how much I could save by planning meals and shopping once a week.

I’m really glad that this country has woken up to the reality of the roles that really matter and hope that all those people clapping in a Thursday don’t go back to moaning about our NHS when this is over. The NHS has saved my life, twice, because of difficult births and we really need to appreciate what a fantastic asset it is and how hard they work for us.

I also appreciate my DP more. Working shifts around each other and not spending a huge amount of time together in normal times has distanced us somewhat. We are getting on a lot better at the moment and haven’t bickered about silly things even when one or both of us are tired (which is always!).

That a lot of people are really very stupid.

That a lot of people are very hypocritical.

That a lot of people need constant validation through social media.

That a lot of people are genuinely kind.

That my youngest daughter is bone idle. (But I still love her to bits)

That there is no limit to the number of videos, memes and pictures I can laugh at via WhatsApp every day.

How lucky I am to have a garden. Definitely would be feeling miserable in my last house with no outside space.
How much this has highlighted existing issues.
I am lucky to have a stable salary for now at least.
I think I am an alcoholic.
I am less happy being single than I thought.
I like face to face human interaction and all my skills are based around it - doing my job online is harder without it.

That my autistic dd has almost no friends and is incredibly unhappy at school.

That I am a complete introvert and am absolutely happy just being at home, even though almost everyone I know would say that I am an extrovert.

That my dh is a wonderful, caring man.

As per my username, the utterable joy of being single at a time like this.

No children to home school, feed or entertain.
No man annoying the fuck out of me because they want to watch sport on the tv/feeding/fucking/entertaining.

There is a real privilege in having your own space and to live exactly as you choose when times are stressful.