Anyone else loving lockdown life?

[Purpleorangegerberas]

Just that really.
I could happily live like this long term.
I have 2 DC aged 10 and 14 and I love our little cocoon.
Life is so full of hustle and bustle and daily demands and to me this is heaven!
I feel strange for feeling this way, anyone else?

It's a mixed bag. DH and I are both trying to WFH with our 4 children aged from 1 to 8. Luckily I only work a few hours a week and DH's job is flexible. However it means were both not getting much time to just "be" as there seems to always be something to do. The kids are lovely children and we enjoy each other's company, but the lack of variety is draining.

We are very lucky to not have money worries although DH has been given a 10% pay cut and lost 4 days of annual with no reduction in hours.

Sorry don't mean to sound trite about the seriousness of it all, do understand that for a lot of people it's not good, just giving my personal opinion.

Loving the 'oh i'm so priviliged and lucky, is it wrong?' posts?

If lockdown had been 18 months ago I’d have been grieving for one recently deceased parent whilst simultaneously arranging the funeral alone and struggling with caring for the other who had a double dose of cancer.
I’d have been struggling to come to terms with possibly being fired due to a bogus theft claim made against me by a disgruntled colleague and worried my marriage was about to disintegrate for various reasons I won’t bore you with. On top of working 80 hours a week I was dealing with threatened repossession and general financial ruin as dh had just lost his job and my days consisted of pondering whether my family would be better off if i ran away or threw myself under the nearest bus for the life insurance.

I might seem to be privileged now but I’ve done my fucking dues tenfold and I don’t feel guilty for finally being in a better place.

If you don’t like reading positive stories there are 5000 other threads discussing the misery of lockdown in detail that you could read instead.

I wouldn't say I'm hating it as I'm WFH and Husband is on furlough, teenager is safe at home and we all get on. However, I'm petrified about the future, I'm so scared of the virus and I'm very tearful about what it has done/doing to people.

God are people not allowed to speak unless they are depressed and miserable as fuck.

I love having my DH home (his WFH) more, and the family time we are having with the dc. We normally have a very busy life and this is so different for us but it’s been rather nice. We miss our families of course and my family live abroad so I’ve no idea when I’ll realistically be allowed to see them but our little family unit here is safe and happy

I own a business that has had to close, so currently making no money. I own properties where rent isn’t currently being paid. I just don’t see the point in worrying over shit I can’t control.

Do I feel guilty for enjoying being with my dc and DH? No I do not. I am not the reason we have this virus, I’m not the reason people will lose jobs. China is to thank for that

Yes, perfectly happy here, just me and the dogs.

I wish there was some way for those of us who are happy to stay locked down to do it in order to allow those who are really struggling to go out.

Surprisingly im not really enjoying it at all and i thought i was made for this lifestyle. I am very much a homebody and loving that im not constantly having to make an excuse not to go out but i feel hemmed in now. I want to browse the charity shops and go out for coffee. Also missing my parents, in-laws and daughter so hope it doesnt go on much longer.

@MikeBawldwinsBras that's true, and I'm aware I'm 'lucky' in that sense. Im used to being skint so it's 'normal' for us.

But my electric costs have gone up. So has my food bill. The only shop I can walk to and carry a decent amount of food from is the co-op which is quite expensive. I can't get an online delivery for love nor money. My mum usually drives me to Aldi to do a big shop. She can't now. Both DSs have grown and need new clothes. I usually buy a few bits at a time in Primark. I can't now so will have to somehow fund 2 new wardrobes when lockdown is over. (Well maybe 1.5 as ds2 can have some of ds1s old stuff)

So my already really low income has to stretch further.

CeriseClementine
That sounds tough. Glad you are back in the light again.

Even if we all hate bits, or lots, about lockdown, it's good to be able to see even the tiniest silver lining in the cloud.

Thanks Bluetrews

@CeriseClementine

No-one actually cares whether you or anyone else is 'loving it' if you're just doing that.

But given the enormous amounts of deaths from the illness, the suffering of some NHS and social care staff, the tanking of the economy leading to people losing their jobs, homes, etc, the massive rise in MH problems, suicide, domestic violence, murders due to domestic violence, the people with cancer and others with chronic ill health and in pain who have been cast aside by the NHS with no idea when they'll get treatment...

An unsolicited public call of 'anyone else loving this?' is just grossly offensive.

It doesn't mean everyone has to hate it or feel bad that they're not struggling, just have some empathy and self-awareness and don't go around celebrating the fact it's all okay for you (not you in particular) when so many others are suffering.

My Grandad said his years fighting in the 2nd world war were the best of his life. He didn't see much trauma that effected him in the long term, loved the travelling and seeing other countries, the love affairs and the hero worship he got as a soldier.

I'm sure that view was very much influenced by his hideous previous home life of poverty and abuse.

But he only spoke about it when asked. I'm pretty sure if the internet had existed during the 2WW and he'd posted 'I'm having a ball, anyone else?' people would have thought he was a twat.

I don't see any conflict in enjoying my day to day life - household of husband and myself, two daughters (24/18) and my mum whilst also hoping against hope that my husband will have a job to go back to when all this is over, that my other daughter will still be able to get married in August and concern for a vulnerable friend who lives alone.

In fact I think it is the pleasure that we are finding in enjoying each other's company, sitting together around the table, frequent telephone calls with family who don't live with us that is making all this bearable.

Although I am loving our routine and spending time with the family I still feel for those who have lost loved ones, who are overwhelmed with fear or who are not in the same position that we are in. I can not imagine how hard it must be for someone in a flat with small children.

Surely we can be grateful for what we have and acknowledge that not everyone is as fortunate as us without being miserable about it.

I usually work from home 4 days a week, so WFH for 5 days isn't hard. I breathed a sigh of relief when the schools closed so I can keep my DD safe. I'm not getting sucked into the home education thing - if DD does it great, but it's not the end of the world if she doesn't.

I'm happy being at home, DD is happy being at home. She was worried she'd bring the virus home from school and give it to me.

My 8 years of being a single mum has more than prepared me for being at home. I'm not really seeing much of a difference to be honest. If anything I'm a little shocked that my normal is such a struggle for so many people. It's making me question my life. As a single mum with no support, I've had to stay at home in the evening for years! Maybe after lockdown I'll look at making some changes?

But for now, I'm ok. There's a roof over my head, food in the cupboard and I have work (for now).

To be honest with the number of online groups, clubs and quizzes to join, this is the best social life I've had in years!

@PorpentiaScamander Of course. And it's likely to get tighter in the long term on benefits. But for now, you are 'lucky' in that you've got a secure income from benefits and housing.

It's a crazy state of affairs when one of the least adversely effected groups of society by this pandemic in the immediate and short term are one of the poorest but that is the current reality.

Some of it. I like working from home, I love not having to keep flogging out to meetings, training events etc. Because I'm basically introverted, I love not having to interact all the time with loads of other people and, in general, organising my work and other things to suit my convenience. DD broke up with her boyfriend had has been back with us, which is another bonus for us (though not for her) because she's lovely.

But ... there are the other problems around financial worries, not seeing other members of the family and friends, etc.

I do think that, when this is over, I'm going to use this experience to rethink how I work and organise things so that I can spend more time WFH and carving out time when I have no appointments and can basically ordain that I get left in peace. Fortunately I'm reasonably in control of how I work and should be able to organise things that way.

Well, I'm loving being at home with the children and being paid for it, yes!

We're enjoying it, and DC are thriving. We recognise we're in a fortunate position, though - income unaffected as we're both wfh, DC young enough to not be anxious, garden (albeit small) to play in, and nice helpful neighbours so we know we have help if we need it.

Overall, I'm so relieved not to be working in one of my jobs where I don't feel safe. Putting that aside, I'm working hard in the house and playing hard exercising and doing stuff with my family, and enjoying it. DH working at home is a pain for various reasons, but we run along nicely and it's more important he has up to three months paid work.

Long-term, yes it will be hard not seeing friends, family and treats. We're financially secure for now, but depends what happens with DH's job and one of mine, so ask me again in three months.

I'm solitary by nature and I haven't been out for over six weeks. Confinement isn't bothering me, we have no money concerns.

However, I cry just about everday, because people are dieing, people are unable to attend he funerals of those they love, care workers are not being given the protection they deserve, some are unable to get food, some unable to get out of dangerous situations at home, some are unable to get health care conultationd, some businesses are not going to survive. And on it goes.

So no is my answer to your question

An unsolicited public call of 'anyone else loving this?' is just grossly offensive.

You saw title, which is very clear, clicked, read the OP, and continued to read the thread. It's been your choice to interact with it.

You do have the option of 'hiding' the threads you find offensive.

*saw the title

I expected lockdown to be horrific tbh but we’ve been fine and there have been definitive advantages; seeing my DP and dd more, making lovely recipes, speedy little bike rides mid-day with our dd and just not rushing around as much.

I do miss normal life though, I miss our runs in Victoria Park, cycling on a Saturday with our club, picnics with our dd, brunch, going out for lovely dinner and drinks, cinema, cooking school and spin.

I’m ready for normal life to resume but it’s made me realise what’s important and having more time with my family is key. DP and I are both going to try and WFH a little more.

Yes it's been a lovely few weeks for us. I wonder if people get so hysterical and hand wringy at people daring to enjoy their lives and families when there is genocide in Syria or other flu/noro outbreaks that kill thousands of elderly people a year.

@Impeckish

Yes. But that's not the point of MN or SM is it? If everyone thought 'well I think that's offensive or I don't agree with it but i'll keep quiet' then no-one would ever be challenged or see an alternative viewpoint.

It's hilarious you saying that on MN, a site which is known for AIBU?

I surprisingly don't miss normal life.It was just work work work.Home at 1030 most ever working w.ends only saw dh once a month
.Besides my agoraphobic tendencies made going anywhere difficult the last few years😊 Apart from the obvious worries I am chilled.I probably needed the rest after a lousy decade with v I'll parents..cancer and my dh heart attack and redundancy.