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Original poster

What a shit time to be alive

166 replies

Mylittlesandwich · 19/10/2020 23:54

I know we're all supposed to be keeping upbeat and accepting the new normal but it's bollocks.

Obviously we're all being screwed in different and inventive ways, personally I had DS in November by the time I'd fought through my PND cloud and felt up to facing people we were in lockdown.
We had planned our budget for mat leave perfectly. Then DH was furloughed.
We had scraped through lockdown and he was back at work when the Scottish circuit breaker popped up and he was let go.
We are so skint it's unreal. I'm working from what should have been a nursery as many hours as I can get my hands on to try and keep us afloat and I can't even spend a couple of hours at my mums to re-charge.
Feel free to add the ways covid has screwed you over.

OP posts:
Mumisnotmyonlyname · 20/10/2020 08:47

@Redwinestillfine that's a really pertinent point.

Littleelffriend · 20/10/2020 08:50

@WWYD2020 I understand you, I have a baby similar age to you and it’s so hard at the moment. I also spend huge amounts of time crying

frozendaisy · 20/10/2020 08:53

@Redwinestillfine

Yes it's not great but on the scale of generational traumatic events we have it a lot easier than previous generations. All we are being asked to do is stay in/ socially distance for a year. We are not being asked to go and fight in another country or have our lives stopped by war. It is rubbish, but a shit time to be alive is all relative.
I get this point of view but for many households staying in, socially distancing, means their family might not have a house to sit in this time next year. So no people aren't losing their houses to bombs but still might lose their house.
IcedPurple · 20/10/2020 08:55

All we are being asked to do is stay in/ socially distance for a year.

That may be true for you, but certaily is not true for everyone.

Many people have lost everything, so it's a bit more than just having to stay at home and make organic banana bread for a few months.

We are not being asked to go and fight in another country or have our lives stopped by war. It is rubbish, but a shit time to be alive is all relative.

Which is completely unhelpful.

frozendaisy · 20/10/2020 08:55

And if people might lose their house, or their sanity it's ok once in a while to have a whinge about it, especially if they find someone who says something that helps.

Babdoc · 20/10/2020 08:56

I understand that this thread is a place to vent your frustration and negativity, and of course that can be cathartic.
But having done that, having had a good cry and wallow, we all still have to get on with our lives in the present circumstances whether we like them or not.
I have been left with permanent lung damage after being hospitalised with Covid six months ago. I live alone and just have to cope.
I manage by focusing on the positives. I am still alive - over a million Covid victims worldwide are not. I have a home and food. I can talk to my DDs on the phone. I can still walk to the shops, although breathless at 100 yards.
And there is news that the vaccine will be rolled out after Christmas. That is something game changing to really look forward to.
Try to summon up your reserves of courage and endurance. It may only be a few months longer, until enough of us are immunised to end the pandemic. And we really are the most privileged generation in history. Previous pandemics included the plague. I’d hazard a guess that living in London in 1665 was a lot worse than London in 2020!

AlecTrevelyan006 · 20/10/2020 08:58

And many people would rather fight than sit and hide.

At least if you are fighting you have some element of control over your destiny. Sitting around waiting for something that may never happen is soul destroying

Cocothefirst · 20/10/2020 09:02

I lost my dad in July and I'm struggling with quite severe depression, despite increasing my antidepressants. I'm waiting for bereavement counselling.

My mum lives abroad and has had cervical cancer this year. I'm going to see her soon and suck up the post-trip quarantine because she's not great and I could really do with a hug from my mum.

2/3 of my team are being made redundant next week. I haven't seen any of them physically since March, and we can't even have goodbye drinks because of increasing restrictions.

I'm so, so tired. I want my life back. I miss the usual chitchat with my colleagues, the little jokes and smiles that get you through the day. I miss human interaction. I miss facial expressions.

So yes, this sucks so much. It's the unrelenting nature of this time.

Flowers to all.

nex18 · 20/10/2020 09:05

Yes it’s a shit time to be alive, for my teenagers more than me. When the best of the situation is being consoled by at least my elderly relatives are already dead, I think illustrates how pants this year is. Anyone who cannot understand that others are suffering is seriously lacking in empathy.

RationalOne · 20/10/2020 09:09

@SittingontheRascal

Indeed you are correct there is a massive difference between having a moan and pushing through and posters who feel life is better - I haven't come across many that feel it is better though surely they must be in the minority?

It's tough on lots of people for many different reasons but sometimes people just focus on the negatives and brings themselves down further. I find that negative attracts negatives and sometimes setting away from it for a breather and looking for positives even if it is hard helps lots.

RationalOne · 20/10/2020 09:11

@Babdoc

Wow Flowers hopefully things will gradually get better for you.

Best wishes

atmybook · 20/10/2020 09:11

it could be worse, actual war time or a more serious and deadly pandemic but yes its is rubbish. People will lose a lot this year and next. Jobs will go that will never comeback and without proper support from the government it will be difficult for many people to find a way back. Lots of businesses will go including well loved local businesses (I'm already seeing this happen where I am). People are already losing connections and friendships as people withdraw from each other.

lynsey91 · 20/10/2020 09:12

Well I too think it is a shit time to be alive even though I am in a much better position than a lot of people.

When I am indoors with DH I am, on the whole, fine. We get on really well and have enjoyed spending so much more time together. I started getting my state pension at the beginning of lock down so have not had any money worries. DH is back working now and is lucky to be very busy.

I still think it is absolute shit that I have only seen my parents who are in their 90's once since March. They live almost 200 miles away plus both our areas are tier 2 so we cannot go into their house.

It's shit that so many people have lost their jobs and many more, sadly, will in the future. It's shit that so many shops are closing and the High Streets are just sad and depressing. It's shit that so many people are losing their houses because they can't afford the rent or mortgage. It's shit for children at school, shit for older children at Uni or ones looking for work.

It's shit there is no theatre, no live music, no comedy clubs. If you want to go out and visit a castle or stately home etc even if they are actually open you have to pre-book it all. No spur of the moment days out.

I am actually glad I am in my 60's and have had a pretty good life as it is definitely shit for most people who are younger.

2beautifulbabs · 20/10/2020 09:14

It's horrible I never would have thought in a million years that it would be illegal for me to go and visit my own parents brother friends in their own homes or even outside.
I'm in Wales and as of Friday we are being placed in lockdown again for two weeks I don't believe it will be just for two weeks as we've been in local lockdown for a month already where again I was unable to see my family or my in laws and we don't live close by my family or my in laws.

It's depressing my mental health has taken a battering.

I feel my poor DCs are suffering as well and now with the weather turning I feel awful having them both stuck indoors.
The only saving grace is they are both young enough to hopefully never remember this period of time.

I honestly wish the governments weren't allowed to dictate to us how we live our lives it's made me so angry and so frightened of what's next will this carry on where they try and control our lives forever now that they have done so would they continue to do this for years to come it's scaring me so much.

Dongdingdong · 20/10/2020 09:14

Many people have lost everything, so it's a bit more than just having to stay at home and make organic banana bread for a few months.

This. That fecking banana bread!

MaxNormal · 20/10/2020 09:14

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WuthPP · 20/10/2020 09:27

@IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls

Its desperately sad .

I never imagined id see anything like this .

We are gradually losing our freedom . My family is sacred is to me and not being able to sit with them , just being with them on the sofa and watching a movie together or pottering out to the garden centre , makes my heart hurt .

I empathise with this so much. Not being able to see or hug my children is killing me. Not least because I've been shielding due to blood cancer and have recently been diagnosed with another (not linked) cancer, and need surgery. I'm terrified I will die without ever seeing them again
LongHotSummerJustPassedMeBy · 20/10/2020 09:39

It is awful. A lot of people have already been traumatised by this.

dottiedodah · 20/10/2020 09:40

Yes you are right the Pandemic is shit.However would you rather have been alive during WW2 (Or WW1 and WW2 as my DGP were?) with food rationing, and the threat of being "bombed out" as DGP were ,and had to move to a hostel while their home was repaired? ATM most of us in UK have access to food /water /heat .We have to adhere to rules regarding wearing face masks, and washing hands its true.Hopefully there will be an end in sight if a vaccine is found .

notalwaysalondoner · 20/10/2020 09:43

I’m lucky compared to many as I have no health risks and no children to manage in this crazy time. But we’ve had to basically move back in with our parents as our London flat isn’t big enough for three of us to work from home; I’ve had two miscarriages this year and feel very isolated; I have been promoted and am really struggling in my new role as I can’t be with my team or clients; I’m finding it hard to switch off from work when it’s constantly there; I’m working longer hours as I’m stressed about work and nothing else is going on but then missing out on living...

It just feels like a bad dream. I enjoyed wfh at first but now my mental health is suffering since this new role and I’d like to at least feel it might be normal again soon. The worst part is I genuinely don’t believe the risks justify all the restrictions.

Juniperandrage · 20/10/2020 09:48

However would you rather have been alive during WW2?

I hate this argument. It's not a competition, if people feel like shit, they feel like shit, they don't need to be shamed for it.

Moaning a bit is a good way of letting off steam so you can go back to getting on with life.

LongHotSummerJustPassedMeBy · 20/10/2020 09:49

Well said Juniper

MaxNormal · 20/10/2020 09:55

and the threat of being "bombed out"

People, possibly in their millions, risk losing their homes. How is that any less stressful?

You also need an income to pay for food and heat. Something many have lost.

Dongdingdong · 20/10/2020 10:04

I hate this argument. It's not a competition, if people feel like shit, they feel like shit, they don't need to be shamed for it.

I know what you mean, but for me personally it does help mentally to put things into context. There’s no denying that things are totally shit right now, but if I’d been around 80 years ago life would have been so much harder/worse.

SittingontheRascal · 20/10/2020 10:15

@Dongdingdong

I hate this argument. It's not a competition, if people feel like shit, they feel like shit, they don't need to be shamed for it.

I know what you mean, but for me personally it does help mentally to put things into context. There’s no denying that things are totally shit right now, but if I’d been around 80 years ago life would have been so much harder/worse.

I don't think you can judge that though. Everything is relative. You are looking at 80 years ago through your modern lens. You can't compare.
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