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Original poster

What has lockdown taught you about yourself?

133 replies

ssd · 28/04/2020 12:41

I didn't realise what an introvert I am, I'm really not missing anyone. I'm glad of the peace. I now know why I get so antsy sometimes, I just need time alone. I like company when I choose it, I hate it forced on me.
And I don't need to shop every day, or every other day and I've saved a fortune. When everything gets on top of me I go to the shops, probably to be alone!!

What about you?

OP posts:
PoloNeckKnickers · 28/04/2020 22:17

That I no longer enjoy teaching. I usually work full time but am on the rota to be in school one day a week. I'm 53 and plan to retire at 57 and lockdown has taught me that it can't come soon enough.

goodname · 28/04/2020 22:30

I was very tearful at the start of this thinking how much I would miss everyone but actually I only really miss other children coming round to play with my boys as I don’t love endless games of theme parks and cafes and making up plays 😀.
I always thought I’d like to try homeschooling but now realise I don’t have enough patience.
I need some quiet time every day and I go a bit mad when I don’t get it 🤯

Soon2BeMumof3 · 29/04/2020 06:08

I hate cleaning. I hate housework.

I need to work to have self esteem.

HRH2020 · 29/04/2020 06:36

That having a break from my emetophobia (because everyone is now a germ freak) has made me look ten years younger. I really love social distancing and hope everyone stays more hygienic forever

That DP is definitely someone I can spend the rest of my life with

That at least 50 per cent of my peri menopause symptoms were actually caused by stress of a too busy life.

grisen · 29/04/2020 06:48

That I can indeed sleep for 8 hours and it makes me feel like crap. I’m used to working nights and then waking up at around 11 with my 1 year old.
That I HATE food shopping and am so happy whenever my partner does it on his own. But I miss clothes shopping especially for said son, and honestly how people successfully shop online and it arrives in the right size is a shocker.

birdwatching · 29/04/2020 06:52

I am a loner. I really don't miss people or the office. WFH is fab despite not having colleagues round. I need much less in life generally. I can cope without wine and choc and I like long walks!

BillywilliamV · 29/04/2020 07:02

That my normal, everyday life is a glorious, happy thing and I will never, ever take it for granted again!

Tiny2018 · 29/04/2020 20:20

The same as Grumpysausage. I always valued the time I was at uni, working, or if at home, the kids being at school for me to be able to recharge my batteries. Can't even call friends to vent about it as my kids are old enough to hear and understandably be hurt by it. So yeah, I'm way too selfish to be a Mum, always thought this, but this has definately confirmed it.

Starrynightsabove · 29/04/2020 21:07

That I’m really glad I didn’t have more children

That I’m quite glad I’m divorced as I get child free time

That I’m pretty good at being alone when my whole life I’ve been terrified of it

esjee · 29/04/2020 21:32

I'm furloughed. I thought I'd miss my job and my colleagues way more than I have. I think worrying about missing that familiarity has kept me from moving jobs lately despite bring v unhappy at times... of course I might not have a choice now (!) but I've realised I could happily do so. I feel almost zero attachment now. I've also realised i'm too good at being alone and should probably make the effort to see people more when lockdown is over. Other than not being allowed to leave the house and occasional terrible anxiety if I think about everything too much, this has actually been quite a calming experience for me and its helped me put a lot if things in perspective I think.

MiniTheMinx · 29/04/2020 22:34

I am not missing anyone, not missing work, not missing shopping. That isn't news to me, and I could carry on like this.

However I am going to have to go back to work. I am selfish and I am scared. That is a new feeling for me. Iv'e often felt huge levels of resentment for having to spend endless hours bored stupid in the service of something I don't care about, but to have to do this and risk becoming physically ill too, is too much.

SistemaAddict · 29/04/2020 22:47

It's taught me how resilient I am and how my children are the same. I'm shielded and we have been at home for over 6 weeks now with no complaints from any of us. They all understand the situation despite the youngest only being 5, and I'm very proud of them.
It's also taught me that my thoughts about people being disappointing are justified and that it's often the kindness of strangers who make a difference in someone's life. I don't have any true friends and I am happy with this. I don't miss going out, I don't miss people, I don't miss much actually.

justanotherneighinparadise · 29/04/2020 22:50

I don’t miss anyone either!!!

Etainagain · 29/04/2020 22:53

I'm happy just being with my family. I don't miss anyone.

I love the fact that visitors just can't turn up at the door.

WFH is great. I never want to go back to the office. I don't like my job.

That I can just 'be' rather than always stressing about the future.

Food tastes better in lockdown. The colours in the garden are more vivid.

I'm enjoying the peace and quiet. Maybe I could actually live in a village or the middle of nowhere.

I can live without the shops, although I would like the library to be open.

I'm pleased I've always done things when I wanted to do them and that I've travelled extensively. I want to do more of that when it is safe to do so.

That I shouldn't put things off. Wish I'd been to the dentist, optician and hairdresser when these things were due.

I'm dreading going back to 'normal' life or even semi-normal life.

bottlenose301 · 29/04/2020 22:57

That I'm a lazy cow Sad

WhiteChocTwix · 29/04/2020 23:00

I'm not the career girl I used to be. I enjoy pottering around at home. Having a project to work on is a great way to spend my furloughed days. Im in no rush to return to a pressurised career. I miss my family so much 💔

KoalasandRabbit · 29/04/2020 23:05

That I love living here and made right decision moving here rurally and away from London.

That I love being with our family.

That I enjoy learning and helping DS learn.

That our pets are amazing.

That I don't miss anyone else. That I'm happy in our little world.

That my DD can paint her walls and cook and is good at learning by herself.

Chippytea3 · 29/04/2020 23:07

That deep down I’m a lazy alcoholic

PinkBuffalo · 29/04/2020 23:10

That no one wants me. I not sure what happened. Public sector job with minimum staff in everyone else working from home.
I one of the ones still going into work. I just by my own. Mum in a nursing home I not been able to see her for 6 weeks, but she is doing ok but a bit fed up of it by now being stuck in her room (she is young in her 50s but severely disabled)

I used to go gym everyday until lockdown. They moved their classes online, but have now stopped my membership and will not let me take part in their online classes even though I been doing them daily.
Turns out I do not have a friend in the world. I really wish my dad was still here. He loved me Sad

I not understanding anything that is happening.

CoffeeRevelLove · 29/04/2020 23:17

That my husband is the perfect house husband/ home schooler

That I'm so grateful to still be going to work as I need the interaction with people

That unsurprisingly I desperately miss my close friends and socialising with them and their kids.

I hate video chat and it's a poor substitute for human interaction

Poetryinaction · 29/04/2020 23:40

I am very resilient. My family keep complaining but I feel fine with my own situation. I miss nothing as I know most of it will.come back. And I am not too worried about things I can't control.

Mother87 · 29/04/2020 23:44

That I can eat (binge) much more than I ever imagined possible / that i haven't missed anyone at all (living with DS22/DH/DM & walk for an hour 2 metres apart from a friend every 3/4 days) /that all I really really want to do is stay home and wallow in grieving for DF who passed away recently / that there really isn't anyone I need or would like to speak to (apart from other adult DC's who've left home)

And I have no desire to zoom/tiktok/catch-up with anyone - and I'm quite lazy

Iamamoleinahole · 29/04/2020 23:46

Nothing that I did not already know.

I don’t like people much and prefer to stay in reading and listening to music.

I don’t need any encouragement to stay in.

JeSuisPoulet · 29/04/2020 23:47

That I really don't miss the school run
That I really am that socially isolated already
That I never want to home school
That I still never get around to reading how much I used to
That I am glad I've never been particularly into hugging and close contact
That I can't sleep if I don't get out for an hour's walk a day
That I am overly reliant on bread based substances for sustenance

Blackbeans · 29/04/2020 23:56

That I have no friends and am less introverted than I thought I was! My only contact the past 6 weeks has been my work colleagues and I realise they are tiring of me moaning about the kids.