Getting back to normal

[wildbarnet]

I know it is a way off but how do people feel when I goes back to normal ? Are you anxious just interested to know

@LindaEllen

I'm anxious, because I have anxiety anyway, and being 'normal' often took quite a lot of courage for me. Things like going out in crowds and even spending time visiting family made me feel on edge, but by forcing myself to do them, over time, they got easier.

This year has allowed me to go right back into my shell, and I'm now at square one.

My dad asked me whether I would come on a socially distanced walk for his birthday, but he wants to go somewhere that's a half hour drive away, and I've never driven there before, and obviously we couldn't share a car.

I just cannot bring myself to do it.

I'd been doing so well, and this has just ruined things, quite frankly.

Do you only ever drive on familiar routes? Why don't you use the Google map app on your phone? It really is a game changer.

SIL won't drive anywhere she hasn't driven before and always gets other people to take her. Her DD is undergoing cancer treatment in the nearest city and SIL won't even take her to the hospital because she has never driven in the city.

I'm happy WFH and don't want to go back to the office, which we have been told we will be once the vulnerable are vaccinated.

Other than that bring on the normal!

I’m looking forward to not having to wear a facemask again(!). But have quite liked supermarket shopping in relatively quiet shops with controlled numbers. Same with going to the gym/swimming pool - it’s been a joy with very few numbers. But understand this isn’t economically viable 😅.

It’s also a relief to have a break from hosting play dates every 5min for DD(6). Sounds mean, but I bet a lot of other people feel the same 😏. I find looking after other people’s children slighting trying at this age 😬.

@tortoiseshell1985

Desperate for it but increasingly feeling like the Government is not going to allow that to happen vaccine or not The economic damage and damage to people's lives in terms of job losses , illness the NHS did not treat "because of covid" among other things means a bleak time ahead Also the government used fear to control people and that fear has become ingrained

This. There is potentially even worse times ahead when the dust clears and we see the economic fallout. Can't say I am looking forward to it!

Looking forward to free access to my family though!

Not anxious and very ready to get back to normal. It’s been reported that we will be going to personal responsibility rather than restrictions from spring. As soon as that happens I’m going completely back to normal. Those tat are worried can stay in if they wish but I’ve had enough now and won’t be.

@Angel2702 @Tatum1234 @KitKatastrophe don’t get me wrong I CRAVE ‘normal’!

I want to stand in a packed pub, fighting to get to the bar, getting bashed about all over the place. Normally I’d rather something a bit more civilised but I feel like that would make me feel alive and human.

Not missing the packed tube but I do think that will return unfortunately.

I just think that there will be elements of some of the things that have been put in place that will remain. What exactly that looks like I don’t know, but as PP mentioned, one way systems, school pick ups are probably 2 possibilities. More WFH definately.

I also think it will be a pretty long road back to any sort of ‘normal’

I absolutely cannot wait. Not having to remember a mask all the time, not having to prebook everything in advance, I m not feeling anxious at all. We have been going to all the places we have been allowed to since June though so I can understand if people have stayed in since March they may be feeling a bit anxious and apprehensive about returning to normal.

*I can see that maybe home working will become more popular/acceptable. But other than that, what about this do you think will stick around long term?

Most people I know cant wait to ditch social distancing, masks and restrictions. I would do so tomorrow, given half a chance. I'm not anxious at all.*

I agree. Some people love the drama, but historically this will be a blip. Perhaps more WFH - though I'm not envisaging the death of the office as some here are - maybe less business travel and more Zoom meetings (ugh!) but other than that I can't see what long-term changes this pandemic will bring about. Sure, the economic effects will be with us for a while, but a year from now this will already be a memory. At least I hope so!

I think drawing a comparison between life after the Spanish flu and this is probably not quite right though. The world is so different now.

@BasinHaircut

I think drawing a comparison between life after the Spanish flu and this is probably not quite right though. The world is so different now.

It’s not just Spanish flu, though, we’ve gone back to normal after every other infectious disease outbreak too. Polio epidemics in the 40s and 50s were hugely disruptive at the time, but how many of us would avoid crowded places because of polio now?

Cannot wait! Will happily sit next to someone random on a bus or a train with no mask, would travel on an aeroplane without mask. Will eat in a restaurant, shout over music in a pub and hug everybody dear to me without a second thought.

I dunno, I’m 46 and CV, but don’t qualify for a vaccine in one of the top groups, I’m just in the bottom group “everyone else - priority to be determined”. I really don’t know if I could “get back to normal” as I will still feel vulnerable without some protection.

Though if I was 36 without the CV part, I’d be straight back out there!!

I'm looking forward to going back to normal but with a new perspective! I wnat to remember how grateful I am to be able to mix freely with my family again, going for meals to celebrate birthdays etc. I've been very fortunate in the pandemic that my career has taken off (in an industry that's struggling). I also appreciate the simpler things in life such as bike rides and winter walks and as much as I miss the usual Christmas activities we usually do as a family, I'm looking forward to a simpler Christmas.

I miss sitting in my parents and in laws house more than anything. It's been a real lesson in what is actually important to me.

@Lostinacloud

Cannot wait! Will happily sit next to someone random on a bus or a train with no mask, would travel on an aeroplane without mask. Will eat in a restaurant, shout over music in a pub and hug everybody dear to me without a second thought.

Same! The thought of being herded onto a cheap Ryanair flight seems like bliss to me right now!

I think there may be some changes long term. I was reading an article the other day that said after most major events the real change doesn’t happen until 2-3 years afterwards and it’s usually/often something no one predicted at the time!

But I agree that humans by their nature tend to swing back to normal

@BasinHaircut

I think drawing a comparison between life after the Spanish flu and this is probably not quite right though. The world is so different now.

What do you mean by this?

The fear certainly isn't ingrained into me! I think it will go back to normal for the vast majority of people and probably quite quickly. It may take a bit longer for some.

I’ve got hideous anxiety but l can’t wait to get back to normal. I think it will be a new and different normal though.

Lost of people will stay working from home.
The high street will change beyond recognition. So many businesses closing, but lots of the shops that have been hit were limping along anyway and hadn’t modernised.
Commuting will become the exception rather than the norm.

@Lostinacloud

Cannot wait! Will happily sit next to someone random on a bus or a train with no mask, would travel on an aeroplane without mask. Will eat in a restaurant, shout over music in a pub and hug everybody dear to me without a second thought.

Me too can't wait

@Racoonworld

Not anxious and very ready to get back to normal. It’s been reported that we will be going to personal responsibility rather than restrictions from spring. As soon as that happens I’m going completely back to normal. Those tat are worried can stay in if they wish but I’ve had enough now and won’t be.

Where have you seen this, please?

What is there to be anxious about?

@Flaxmeadow

Desperate for it but increasingly feeling like the Government is not going to allow that to happen vaccine or not

I don't remember Gov't or science giving any guarantee that we would get back to normal?

We had the warnings from them in March and April, over and over again, that this would not be over quickly, so I'm not entirely sure why people think it would be

Oh ffs. They've never said "things will never go back to normal" have they? I think we all know that's what you'd like, but they haven't said it.

I'm not anxious, no. This is almost normal for me now. Looking forward to be able to go back to swimming again though, and being able to go shopping outside of supermarkets.
Also looking forward to pubs, cafes and clubs being open again, even though I can't go myself it's nice to see other people enjoying themselves. I felt the general mood lifted a lot in the summer when people could get out more.

For those people saying "the Government will keep us under control forever", please could you explain what possible benefit they would have for making us live like this a minute more than necessary?

I am sick of hearing this conspiracy nonsense.

I think things will get back to normal, yes. There are, and have always been anxious people. Those who wouldn't go to crowded places because of terrorism concerns etc. But I think most people will recognise the value of being around other humans and the joy of shared experiences.

Live music, sporting events etc are wonderful occasions and I can't wait to go to them again. In fact, I'll make more of an effort to go and to make sure my children go as well.

Yep. I have to admit that seriousness of covid aside this is an introverts dream.