Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Going back out into the world

61 replies

SunshiningBetty · 18/02/2021 23:17

So, I had the vaccine today as a 45 year old CV person. I thought I would feel euphoric but it was strangely underwhelming.

I am fully aware that I have let my fear of Covid get out of control and I am wondering how I am going to make the move back into real life. Obviously I fully intend to wait until lockdown starts to lift but what do I do then?

I felt really anxious going to the vaccination centre today. We had to queue inside and an elderly man came right up behind me. I asked him if he could move back a bit. After I came out we had to sit spaced out for 15 mins. I lasted about 2 then felt completely panicky at being so close to anyone and had to ask to wait somewhere quieter. I just kept imagining droplets of Covid 19 heading towards be despite being in an FFP3 masks. I then waited for 5 minutes before sneaking out and I honestly felt glorious when I was out in the fresh air again.

If I’m like this how on earth am I going to transition to normal(ish) life? My children did go back to school when they were allowed but I felt pure anxiety every day they were in. And such relief when we went into lockdown again.

I used to dash around everywhere, go to London for the weekend, the children had so many hobbies every night. I’m just scared of what I’ve become. My every thought for a year has been Covid, reading every research paper about it in case we could be doing something to lessen our chances of dying, staying up to get shopping slots etc.

Does anyone else worry about this?

OP posts:
RosesLoves · 18/02/2021 23:40

I am very anxious about COVID and even walking past someone on a walk would lead to 5 days of panicking that I would develop symptoms. However, I had to go into work for the first time since the start of the pandemic and at first I was very anxious about being around people again but I got used to it very very quickly to the point where I had to keep reminding myself to stay 2m back from others. I was surprised but relieved at how normal it felt. As soon as I got home I did wash all of my clothes, wipe down my bag and phone and had a shower and hair wash which is perhaps a little OTT but it helped me feel more relaxed once home. I'm CV but still not vaccinated.

Beaniecats · 18/02/2021 23:59

I think lot will feel like this
Longer this pantomime goes on the worse it will be
I'm not remotely anxious as its really not something to be anxious about but I can understand why people are terrified due to the really dreadful scaremongering together with government propaganda designed to ramp up fear to ensure compliance

Midlifephoenix · 19/02/2021 00:07

No, I don't feel any anxiety. I am 58 and have an underlying condition, but I'm not extremely vulnerable. I go out for food shopping etc, take the appropriate precautions and feel fine about it. When lockdown ended last time I was in a tier one area and it was great.
I think you can overthink it - but there are many more things you can get sick or die from, you can't stay frozen with fear. But your anxieties are real, justified or not. Baby steps, start small and work yourself up.

Rasclut · 19/02/2021 00:09

Try and focus your health anxieties on things like 5 a day, healthy bmi, good lung function, minimal sugar intake? You can control these things and they will protect you from getting illnesses with far higher death rates than covid. Xx

OakSnows · 19/02/2021 00:11

@Beaniecats pantomime? As in covid is fake?

OakSnows · 19/02/2021 00:26

@SunshiningBetty I’ve just seen beaniecats on another thread. They think it’s all an overreaction and nothing but a mild virus.please ignore them.

People will never understand the fear of those shielding. Your reaction is normal to something we are terrified will take us, or out normal medical issues will cause us to get covid and not survive, or just currently not receive normal care as it’s all bonkers.

Beaniecats · 19/02/2021 00:30

Not fake no, but we have collectively lost the plot in our reaction to it.

IloveJKRowling · 19/02/2021 00:38

Flowers OP.

I suspect you'll start to feel a bit better once you get 3 weeks post vaccination, because then you'll know, logically, that you will have some protection should you catch it. Then I think it's just baby steps back out into the world.

It is always weird when you've been living a certain way for a while and that suddenly changes. I lived abroad in a very different culture and it was such a shock when I came back to the UK and took some readjustment. It's not surprising if you've been largely isolated to feel a sense of shock being around large groups of people again.

You can do this. You'll be ok, like any big change at first it will seem huge but over time you'll get used to it.

TanginaBarrons · 19/02/2021 00:46

In the biggest possible way, I suggest you get some therapy. Your anxiety is disproportionate, but i think you know that.

TanginaBarrons · 19/02/2021 00:46

Nicest not biggest 🙄

ineedaholidaynow · 19/02/2021 00:51

I think I will worry more about my elderly DM once restrictions are lifted. I will be happy for her that she has social interactions again but I can’t help thinking that I will worry about her mixing with people and getting close to them (including us).

PrincessNutNuts · 19/02/2021 00:53

If it makes you feel better, I found taking an older relative to the vaccination centre quite anxiety-provoking. No one seemed to be adhering to social distancing and she had to wait indoors which seemed unnecessary.

In answer to your main question: I think the anxiety will subside as the threat does.

As things return to normal, so will you.

Rasclut · 19/02/2021 00:55

@SunshiningBetty this thread comes across as very unsupportive, including my post. I think i speak for everyone when I say we apologise, it wasn't meant to come across like that, we just want you to enjoy your life in a way that is fulfilling now that you have been vaccinated xxx

Waxonwaxoff0 · 19/02/2021 05:53

Personally no. At any point during this pandemic I'd have happily carried on as normal if I was allowed. But I'm 30, not CEV and have to work out of the home in a factory with about 100 other people so I really haven't had time to feel anxious.

Just take it one step at a time.

Lemons1571 · 19/02/2021 06:56

@SunshiningBetty I feel like you do. I am also mid 40’s and CV. Completely panicked in the supermarket last month and had to really take control of myself, breathe deeply etc. Never had any issues like this before now.

I think mine stems from both DH and I being in the highest risk group after groups 1-10, so I feel at higher risk but not quite enough to formally be in a group. I am hoping I will feel better if I get a vaccine. I think you’ve got time to adjust to “going back to normal” though as this period of getting everyone vaxxed and then revaxxing in the autumn is going to take ages.

TwirpingBird · 19/02/2021 07:11

I must say I did have a near panic attack in co op 2 weeks ago when a man with no mask coughed and then walked past me. It was my first time in a shop in 3 months. I havent had a panic attack since I was 15. I am 29, not CV in any way, but been staying away from everyone as DH works in vulnerable peoples houses. But now they all have the vaccine so I am starting to move back inti the world more. I am just taking baby steps, so I have gone back to shopping in aldi, but at 8PM on a monday so its quiet. I am meeting a friend outdoors now (she is technically my bubble now as I dont have one, and have a 3 month old). I am purposely popping into my local tesco with the buggy to start getting used to small shops again. I might risk a home bargains shop at some point soon .... although not sure when with 2 kids.

I hate how nervous I have become. At 21 i travelled asia alone, worked in rural thailand, I went everywhere I wanted to go. Nothing scared me. I was the lost confident person I know. However, I REFUSE to let this virus rule my life anymore. Its determination now that I feel.

UnaOfStormhold · 19/02/2021 07:24

I remember when we first came out after not having left the house for 2 months in the first lockdown - just walking to the postbox felt really weird. But I did it, and we were fine, and gradually built up again. I know that's a much shorter time than you've had, but I think the same principle applies - take it gradually and each outing will reset your sense of what is safe a little more.

Baileysforchristmas · 19/02/2021 09:12

It’s going to take a long time. I know some people who have hardly left the house for a year, who don’t even want their children to play in the garden in case they catch it, these are healthy young people who have gone way over the top because of this. This is their normal now. Even after the vaccine, they’re worried it won’t work on different variants and still want to keep the whole family at home. I can see a 2 tier society, people who will carry on and people who are to scared to come out of their homes.

Dongdingdong · 19/02/2021 09:21

who don’t even want their children to play in the garden in case they catch it

How ridiculous. Those poor children.

Biscoff2020 · 19/02/2021 09:23

Yes, I feel like this too. Haven't been anywhere indoors other than the hairdresser (twice) and a handful of shops since last March. Before this I was working in a an office 5 days a week, travelling across the country for work meetings and to visit friends/family, gym, restaurants, holidays etc...I can't imagine doing that now, even once I've been vaccinated (worried it won't work on new variants and prevent long covid). To be honest I feel like my life is over for a few years. I think I'll only feel safe once cases and transmission are extremely low without social distancing- but I'm realistic we may never get to that point.

Mrbob · 19/02/2021 09:26

We had severe restrictions for only a few weeks where I live. It still took me weeks to feel ok with going into a shopping centre or into town and months later I still feel VERY nervy about the idea of going on a plane etc. I am a pretty pragmatic person and very low risk.

Multiply this by many times because it has been months for you AND you are vulnerable and I think it is no surprise how you feel. Baby steps as things open up and eventually you will start to feel more normal. And be gentle on yourself. What you are feeling is completely normal

Hairwizard · 19/02/2021 09:27

Gov propaganda has done a fine job on some people here then.

DianaT1969 · 19/02/2021 09:35

I understand and it will be baby steps. There are so many things I'm looking forward to, that will be worth getting back amongst people. Yoga classes, going to the gym, a pedicure, a hair cut, travelling on a plane, going to watch live music. You'll have these things too. Plus the knowledge that you have some protection.

Beaniecats · 19/02/2021 09:51

@Hairwizard

Gov propaganda has done a fine job on some people here then.
Hasn't it just Also social media as well I think Its really bad
TwirpingBird · 19/02/2021 09:53

@Biscoff2020 can i ask, what is the reason for your fear? Is it that you are CV, or do you think it's the constant 'stay at home, everyone is at risk' message?

Swipe left for the next trending thread