What are you missing most from 'life before lockdown'?

[Hannahpearson]

If you could have back 1 thing from pre-covid restrictions... what would it be?

Drinks with the girls. And spa nights away.

Activities. Band practice, guiding, scouting, school clubs.

I don't miss anything. I am used to covid life and hope it will be like this for a long time.

Writing in a coffee shop. I get so much more done, a lovely oversized drink and watching the world go by when I need inspiration.

To see my son. He moved up north on the first day of the first lockdown and have only seen him via video calls since.

I actually miss commuting! Not the expense obviously, or the time; but it used to give me a good workout. Getting my 10,000 steps a day now is soo difficult. I used to have done that many before 10am, justifying by choice to get a ham and cheese turnover from Pret (really miss those too).

Doing my full time job without also having to homeschool a small child

My old job.

The company folded in the first lockdown. I was really lucky to find another job pretty quickly but damn I miss that job.

It almost feels like a bereavement, I think about it all the time and cry about it. I know I should get over it but honestly it has really affected me.

Spontaneity - being able to just ‘pop’ somewhere on a whim
Freedom and choice - a sense of possibility
Travel

Swimming
Live music and theatre
Activities for my little one
A tolerant, non-judgemental society (not sure we ever had that one tbh, but at least pre-covid I could pretend!)

Live music. Going to the pub.

That's about it.

Just being able to relax and not be conscious of distancing and masks and all that. I didn't socialise much last year even when they were doing the 'eat out' thing, because it wasn't really fun.
I miss meeting friends and family for a coffee and a chat. And hugs. I really miss hugs. DH is here and very huggable, but I feel very sorry for people who haven't got anyone to hug.
I miss my adult children too, even though we talk a lot. I want to be like The Royle family and squeeze up together and watch telly

The spontinaity, as in: "Shall we go the pub quiz on Thursday?"

The ability to make plans, as in: "what would you like to do for your Birthday in March?"

Pub quiz on Thursday - Perhaps the same one as ShopTattsyrup!

My dcs being able to get on with life and see friends

I’m glad we’re all different: it’s interesting reading this thread and thinking, “Mmm, yes, I miss that,” or “yer what? swimming pools soft play urrrrrkkkh!”

Solitude!

Happiness.
I was fine in lockdown 1, but not this time.
DS misses school and social interaction with other teens.
And it's worst with the vaccine available but no hope of ever getting it. They will be doing the old and vulnerably winter vaccinations before I get my first. Apparently I am not allowed to feel angry or bitter or jealous. They will get a lovely spring/summer/autumn while I am stuck at home (by choice obviously).
Losing hope, patience, nothing good in life left.
Feel like the least important, valued, worthwhile person in the country as a middle-aged fat white mother who pays taxes.

Having something to talk about other than covid. Every conversation with anyone seems to end up being about covid cos there's fuck all else to talk about and everything revolves around it one way or another.

Knowing the worst someone is likely to pass on is a cold or flu. With so many with no symptoms and lots with symptoms or positive tests still going out in public it’s a nightmare trying to avoid getting it.

Pub quiz
Cinema
Theatre
Night clubs for DD

As far as I am concerned, we are not back to normal until night clubs are open.

Work. The outside world. I have a shit set of lungs & have spent most of this last year off work.

Being able to just go somewhere, like for an ice cream/cake with the kids☹️

Seeing my mum. Have only seen her once in more than a year now

Being able to see my parents.

Nothing really.

MY CHILDREN GOING TO SCHOOL.

Socialising with people in person instead of on a sodding screen.