It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. What have you learnt/experienced during all this?

[BananaLlamaConCalma]

I have been made redundant. I learnt that despite all my hard work, I was always just a number and the people I work with/for aren't good people. I worked like a dog with a paycut that almost matched furlough to lose my job anyway. I need to put more effort into my home life because they're the people that care.

I can save. I just needed no childcare or petrol costs.

I like to day drink.

I didn't mind being locked away from the world with my partner and children. I love them. If I was to be trapped with anyone, it would be them. DP and I reacted to the whole thing very differently, him calm and composed and me panicking about sure death from a sniper like virus but it affected him more mentally than I. He felt trapped. I felt free of outside pressure.

Children need school and become feral without it. DC have their drive back now there are other kids to compete with and an adult that's not their parents holding them to account.

The government aren't to be trusted. Perhaps I was naive but I assumed they had our best interest at heart. They don't lie about things that matter. They've done a great job with furlough and the recent extension of this but the mess with Dominic Cummings, don't use face masks, do use face masks, etc. What a shitstorm.

That's all for now while I can't sleep from stress of everything. What are yours?

My kid is stoic and adaptable.

DH and DD are right, our family actually would be better in a Zombie Apocalypse than any other families.

There are times when a slightly underpaid but essential job means you don't worry.

The human race is incredibly adaptable.

That other people are learning what my life is always like but it doesn't make them compassionate, it just makes them more selfish.

School teachers are worth their weight in gold.

After 36 years of career, covid may end it - and I don't mind, although I need to find some kind of job quickly.

My ds and I cope well as a team. We keep each other cheerful and we adapt quite well.

I’m absolutely an introvert and am quite happy pottering about at home.

That my marriage is great. I never, ever get bored with DH.

Lockdown made me face my drinking habits. I’m now 6 weeks alcohol free and feel much better.

That my immediate family is strong.

That the country with free cradle to grave healthcare system us has the highest number of deaths..... and perhaps this system encouraged the population to become fat and unhealthier as they don't have the responsibility or any direct cost like everywhere else.

I worked for a supermarket on the checkout about twenty years ago. Some people told me they wanted a stress free job. It never was. The entitlement people feel in a supermarket is unbelievable. I was good at it, it's constantly evaluated, one of the best of times and the best thing that I have ever done before.

The importance of my DC's our home and our friends. How much there is to be grateful for.
The little things one would usually take for granted like loo roll as a cheap example and how selfish some people can be on that level
Other people's constant struggles.
Other people's kindness and generosity
Life is precious

I've learned that it is possible to help others even if you can't go out; there's so much you can do from a computer.

That solitude is beautiful.

If what you fancy to eat is not available, something else can be just as satisfying.

To appreciate being quite well.

To find out a lot about oneself not hitherto realised.

To love some TV series, box sets, Netflix.

That I don't need to eat out every day, and home cooked food can be almost as good.

I realised where my money goes. I was able to save a lot during lockdown.

That being an introvert at a time like this was invaluable. So many suffered loneliness, but I was happy, relaxed and content.

That my home is really lovely, and not just somewhere to be if I had nowhere else to go.

That people will adjust and flout rules to suit themselves.

That there are plenty of places to walk to from my home, that I had previously overlooked because I'm lazy and would prefer to drive.

I want to leave NZ and return to the UK.

The PM here wants to keep borders shut, which I understand, but it's not feasible for immigrants to live like this.

I always told my family I was only 27 hours away and that isn't true.

That this way of life is shit and I can't wait until the whole thing is over.

I've learnt to bake bread well!

I've now know to save more money than I ever have before. I frittered it on lunches out with colleagues and crap I didn't need.

I've also realised that not all my colleagues are proper friends. I've only stayed socialising with 2 of them since the office closed. I'm not bothered about the rest.

Most importantly I've come to appreciate my husband more. He is a brilliant dad and life partner. Childcare are house chores are now properly 50/50 (I picked up the slack before as he used to work away during the week). I'm much happier and less stressed now.

@brushandmop

I want to leave NZ and return to the UK.

The PM here wants to keep borders shut, which I understand, but it's not feasible for immigrants to live like this.

I always told my family I was only 27 hours away and that isn't true.

You post resonated so much because I'm from NZ, living in the UK, and feeling the same "tug" to home (family).

It hurts so much to be separated from family in such a permanent way. When they're elderly you know, during a pandemic with borders closed, that you may actually, likely, never see them all again. It physically hurts.

On the bright side, I have a job and my health.

Fucking COVID.

I always knew the value of school and education. This has reinforced that.

I always knew the Govt cared more about the economy than people. This has reinforced that.

I can grow herbs!

That normal life is brilliant. I missed it and I cannot wait for things to go back to the way they were before the pandemic.

Like someone else said, this pandemic has really shone a light on the utter stupidity and selfishness of people. I do not know anyone in my town that is not just carrying on as normal!

I have learned that:

my DH is an absolute gem and I do not know where I would be without him. I havent been out of the house since Feb.

People in the "caring" professions have just shut up shop and abandoned people, my GP, dentist etc are still shut. I am still having to give myself my B12 injections. Now got an eye prob but will just have put up with it.

My neighbours are total aresholes, having friends around constantly even though we have been under extra restrictions for weeks.

My family, not heard a peep from them since before the pandemic started, not even to see if I am ok.

The Gov do not give a shiny shit about the population, just the economy and jobs for the boys

I have learned that I do not drink nearly enough wine to cope with this shitshow, christ knows how we are going to get through this winter.