Am I the only one who’s life has changed for the better the last 6 months.

[Snugglesandsmiles25]

I really struggle as I have literally nothing in common with my closest friends regarding this. My daughter ( shielding list ) is still not at school from medical advice, we are still not going to inside busy places etc but my god the last 6 months has been eye opening.
We have played games more than we ever did before, we have danced, baked and sang. We have had all non emergency appointments over the phone without the drama of transport and long waiting times. Have had some essential appointments and treatment. My daughter the past 6 years has spent every winter in hospital our average time in hospital is probably 65 percent be 45 percent at home. It’s now nearly November and we have had 3 admissions since March 2 routine which were for 2 days and 7 days and one emergency which was 3 days. We have never ever been at home as much. She has been so healthy this year one cold after attempting school for 3 days after lockdown with a fever ( the emergency admission that was 3 days )
Other than that I have never seen her so well, we have never had so much freedom. We may even successfully have her Xmas and birthday at home this year if it continues.
I have learned so much about money and how much I usually waste on things that are not needed. Because everyone else was in lockdown or restrictions since we actually heard from people more who are normally so busy with their lives. We spoke to family we hardly ever speak to, friends were all of a sudden wanting to zoom more.
I have just ordered our Xmas decorations it will just be the 2 of us but we are so excited for a potentially great winter of us in our own home.
I know this unique but I don’t have anyone to talk to about it because no one really understands.
🤣

Great for you. I’m guessing you don’t have any redundancy or money worries as the result of lockdown? Or close family and friends you can see?

@Racoonworld we haven’t seen any family for months on end just like everyone else.
No redundancy now but did have to lose my job without redundancy 6 year ago and live on carers. I did say we are in a unique position where being locked at home has almost given us more freedom we are used to be on a small cubicle for months on end. We have diff lives 🤷‍♀️

Actually more so than anyone else we were not allowed out the front door for 4 months.

I am relatively lucky that I can WFH and still have my job but even with that no I don't think my life is better.

It has got smaller and everything is stressful when you go out. I have only just been able to access a dentist.

In some ways yes,OP. I have a teen with ADHD and the new routines in place at school because of Covid have been brilliant for him. Everything is more restricted and regulated. I have also (yes it's selfish) enjoyed going for a coffee because there are now no groups of people. It's so quiet and lovely. Can actually read and enjoy the peace ! Buses are quieter and I don't have to sit next to anyone

@JamSarnie we are still in doors most of the time. I think for us it’s just been a strange situation.
Like my daughter who is life limiting Ill has been so much better this year that it seems that we had more freedom than before that’s what I was trying to say 🙈

@Snugglesandsmiles25 I’m really pleased for you and your daughter it sounds like an incredibly different and better life than before. Will you maintain any of the changes if the world returns to normal?

@Snugglesandsmiles25 I’m really pleased for you. I’ve found lots of positives too - of course it’s been tough at times, and now coming into the colder months can feel relentless but actually I know a fair number of people who have taken positives from it. It sounds like it ‘normal’ times things are much harder for you and your DD. Enjoy your time x

I think there were positives - especially the first two months of lock down when the weather was fine and we spent real quality time.

But now I’m ready to go abroad, go to the theatre, have a spa day without wearing a mask etc.

I’m done with COVID!

@DottyWott I think a big part of it is daughter not being at school to catch the usual things she would catch. I will defo be sticking to more scooter rides down the river than soft play etc
I will also ask to continue not essential face appointments so clinics etc where we just discuss treatment plans to phones if it’s an option.
Money wise 100 percent less clothes, etc

It sounds like life is usually very stressful and restricted for you and your daughter due to her health. The last few months have given you much needed breathing space and a sense of calm and optimism. It's very heartening to know that this time, which has been so difficult for many of us, has brought well-deserved positives to people like you. I wish you and your daughter the very best 💐

@Snugglesandsmiles25

Good for you guys. Sounds like you have a really tough time with your DD so I’m glad she’s been way less Ill and you both can enjoy so much happy time together.
We also enjoyed 4 Months of no nursery illnesses etc.

I am pretty happy with working from home, it has definitely improved my work/life balance on a day to day basis. I’m not a big socialiser so I haven’t been affected by a lot of the constraints and I’ve read a lot, done some decorating etc. Having said that - I haven’t seen most of my family almost all year. My mother is going out of her mind with boredom. My siblings face serious financial pressures because of their work. My nephews and nieces’ education is suffering from all the disruption and they can’t see their grandparents. I can’t go abroad, and travel is one of my main pleasures in life.

So on the whole no. I’m glad you’re not suffering OP but if I could change things back to normal, yes I would.

You don't need to feel bad for reflecting on how this situation has highlighted was is good about your life

God knows, you have enough on your plate to worry about. You are not wishing job losses on others so I see no need for carry comments.

In some ways my own life is better. As an introvert I enjoy my own company and hate the enforced "fun" of many social situations. I am even happy to have the excuse to scale the horror that is Christmas right back

Other bits are horrific as a frontline worker but I wouldn't wish that on anyone else either

Make the most of this time. Sackcloth and ashes are not required.

I am glad lockdown was good for you but many.lost.loved.ones.

Snugglesandsmiles25. I’m really pleased for you too.
It’s no joke having a child in and out of hospital all the time and your life must have been pretty difficult pre Covid.

There are a lot of people who have been plunged into immense hardship, awful family situations and worries about health with this pandemic.

but I do sometimes role my eyes at people complaining about not being able to go on holiday or having to wear a mask and I think ”Gosh how would you ever cope with what many have to endure normally?”

You're not alone. I much prefer life now. I hadn't realised just how stressful I was finding modern life - packed tubes, busy supermarkets, fucking chuggers everywhere, difficult to just walk down the street because there are so many people. I've also enjoyed not catching something nearly every time I went out.

• catty comments

Not just you.

Housebound is my norm.

Some of the improvements have just been coincidence, some have been because services and shops now understand doing things from home as the norm.

This bit's particularly true:

Because everyone else was in lockdown or restrictions since we actually heard from people more who are normally so busy with their lives.

Plus all those exhortations to look after the vulnerable. I think some people cast around for a "vulnerable person" to do their bit to, and I became their token one.

But on the more sincere side, my already lovely neighbours re-organised their own lives around lockdown and very kindly included me in their new routines – Click & Collect features highly.

This has been life-changing for me because I can now eat fresh food most days, when previously I was on a fortnightly delivery cycle and the second week had to be longlife foods only (no fresh salad, no fresh bread, no coffee as I only like it with fresh cream, etc). And I used to forget/run out of one ingredient for a meal but not be able to acquire it for a fortnight, which the other ingredients couldn't last; so I was in a constant cycle of disappointing half-meals.

Honestly, I can't begin to describe the improvement in my quality of life to be able to food-shop more often than once a fortnight.

It's absolutely not worth the cost to other people, and if I could make Covid go away I would – for other people's sake.

But I can't, so I'm going to enjoy the upsides while they're here. And be glad for the rest of you when the vaccine comes and (I hope) you get a more normal life again.

My life has definitely improved in many ways. No more commuting, I’ve saved loads of money and my partner and I have been really busy with work so, so far, our organisations haven’t gone tits up. I’ve barely seen anyone except really close friends and family which means the potential for social anxiety has massively reduced. Obviously though there are all the downsides and worries for other people’s health and jobs so it’s not like I don’t want it to be over.

@everythingthelighttouches

I don’t think there is anything wrong with a little moan about missing holidays. Sure it’s no comparable to those who have lost loved ones - but for some people holidays are very important.

I know people have lost loved ones one of the reasons we are still not going out and wasn’t allowed our front doors is because my daughter would be extremely vulnerable.
However on many of these threads which you can read it doesn’t seem to matter when it’s people who don’t want to follow.
Trust me is hasn’t been all sailing especially the time have needed the hospital, I am one of those people where back in the first peak and now I worry about the loss of a child however I can’t always on that otherwise I would not be functional for her who needs a calm response right now. So we made the best out of the situation we have and in fact it’s protected her from all sorts it’s been really eye opening about usual risks we take and how different it is when they are removed.

In some ways my life has improved.
I was given a promotion - less hours more money directly due to Covid I signed the deal just as lockdown hit.
I can still see my family and friends as we are mostly all in Tier 1.
I travelled so much with work last year, it's really nice being home and sleeping in my own bed this year.

I'm really adaptable, I haven't had the strains and stresses that a lot of people have had during 2020, I'm in a really good place mentally so I'm hoping to get through the winter ok.

I recognise it's been really tough for so many people and I'm very grateful to be in such a good place mentally.

This has really opened my eyes and reminded me why I am sticking to the rules as much as I can

Your daughter is really lucky to have you

Our lives have been really good the last 6 months. We're better financially, we have more time for each other and we can both do our jobs from home whilst spending time with our son.

We used to spend an hour a day travelling and now it feels like we've got all of this time. We've been eating more home cooked meals, and not ordering takeaway as much due to being burned out. We've had more time for exercise and our mental health is better.

But we both work in the communication industry which is fairly well protected from redundancy risks because of COVID, so I am really in a privileged position.

Not seeing the in-laws has been a godsend though.