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Original poster

Anyone else used to lockdown now?

196 replies

Helenj1977 · 19/02/2021 16:06

I quite like our little bubble. I like not having to see people. I like not doing the school run.

I’m quite worried about it ending.

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 19/02/2021 22:00

My children are used to it.

DS1 (10) can't remember normal now this is nearly 10% of his life. He's forgotten spontenaity, swimming, eating out, seeing friends, going to other people's houses.

DS2 (7) has decided that he can't be arsed with having friends after they drifted apart while they carry on with school and he can't. He does care really, it's a wall of defence against the pain of lonliness and rejection.

They hate the walks, but they love the hours and hours staring at screens all day (unless it's home learning, they loathe that bit, and the zoom karate)

They've forgotten about Cubs/ Beavers. DS2 basically left Beavers at 6, because he'll be 8 before they're back. I've not got the heart to tell him that he's got another lockdown birthday coming up.

They don't miss family any more; due to distance they haven't seen most family for over a year and no family at all in 6 months.

So yes, with them having spent a significant chunk of their childhood existing through this shit, they're used to it. It's certainly not good for them though.

LeahDownTheLane · 19/02/2021 22:06

I find it really quite suffocating. I’ve always worked from home anyway so that hasn’t changed but I miss my family, I miss seeing people’s faces without masks on. I miss popping to the shops and going out for lunch and I miss going to gigs. While we’ve been lucky and nothings changed financially I do run a charity and see on a daily basis how devastating this has all been for so many people in our community and while you may enjoy it the things you’ve listed can be done in any normal time. It’s up to you to make that choice to work from home and not be sociable but for others this pandemic has been absolutely horrific so yes I want it to end and I’d love nothing more than to go back to how it was.

lookdeepintotheparka · 19/02/2021 22:06

It's certainly helped with my FOMO anxiety!

It's all having a terrible effect on my teenage kids though and for that reason I'm desperate for this to end. Neither of them will leave the house at all now - it's really worrying.

BogRollBOGOF · 19/02/2021 22:13

@Meruem

How small your lives must have been

I am so fed up of people saying this. I’m in my 50s. I’ve been to plenty of pubs and gigs and everything else you mention. I don’t want to have to shout to be heard in the pub, or fight my way to the bar. Been there, done that. Now I prefer to sit at home and do a craft project, it’s not “sad” or “small”. I’ve just entered a different period in my life.

As sick as you are of lockdown, I’m sick of people saying that people like me are living a “half life”. I’ve experienced more than you can imagine. Now I want a quiet period. There’s nothing sad about it.

Nothing wrong with enjoying a quiet phase. It is a problem that younger or more sociable people are banned from the opportunities that you once enjoyed though. There are students in my family trapped in student accomodation, stuck with a "household" that they didn't choose, in fear of being unfairly penalised for the behaviour of others in their accomodation and unable to go to lectures and meet a wider pool of people.

I don't miss night clubs and crowded bars, as I'm the wrong stage of life, but society and the economy will be a poorer place if they don't survive. It's sad that that end of the city centre feels dead.

People are and always have been at liberty to have a quiet and insular life. Lockdown easing does not change that option.

Furrybutts · 19/02/2021 22:14

Yes, quite used to it now, and quite resentful of anyone disturbing my routine and peace.
Love not having people call at my home.

Will be glad for my hobbies to reopen though.

BrideofBideford · 19/02/2021 22:25

@Moonface123: “ I think the secret is to create a life you don't need to escape from.”

Hmm well, my pre-pandemic life was not about escaping my family, it was about sharing joy and seeing friends and family and doing sport, lots of sport.

That was not an escape from life, that WAS my life

flippertygibbit · 19/02/2021 22:30

No. Income down 60% due to DP losing job. FIL died alone in a care home. Severely depressed.

zoemum2006 · 19/02/2021 22:38

No. It’s awful. It’s like someone squeezed all the colour out of the world.

I’m making the best of it but I hate it.

I want my life back.

User334567 · 19/02/2021 22:47

Your crazy

annabellacomestotea · 19/02/2021 22:54

I like parts of it, but I had a very active life before covid. I travelled a lot, I volunteered at an animal shelter, was part of a choir, went to the gym. So although I like a lot of it, I would like the option to be able to do some of the things and be with some of the people who bring me joy. I loved the first lockdown, I think for me it's just gone on a bit too long.

pucelleauxblanchesmains · 19/02/2021 22:55

I have depression which ordinarily affects my concentration but which has worsened with this lockdown to the point where I can barely function or take anything in when I try to work. I just don't think it's sustainable for me at all, I have no concentration, my memory is shot to pieces, I'm really scared of how mad I might get if this continues long enough.

annabellacomestotea · 19/02/2021 22:57

I also think it is quite easy for people to enjoy quarantine when they are in quarantine with their families (provided the family is a happy one), working or financially comfortable and have lots of space, and I don't begrudge people that. I'm also fortunate to be working, with my family and have space. However I think lots of people are away from loved ones, or flung together in a small space with loved ones, or have lost work etc, or who are far away from their partners or children. All of these things make it very, very difficult for people.

That said, I think it's lovely if you are enjoying it and it makes me happy to know you and your family are enjoying your bubble.

annabellacomestotea · 19/02/2021 22:59

I also wanted to add (sorry, not sure how to edit), although this is difficult for people at all stages of life and at all ages, I think if I was going through this as a teen or in my early twenties, I would feel like I was being robbed of opportunities to travel, go on a GAP year, fall in love, make new friends, socialise, try new things. From age 19-29 I travelled, worked overseas, and went through a lot of growth. I'm able to chill SLIGHTLY now because I know I was lucky to have had that. Had I not, I would be quite frankly devastated, because I feel like there is a restless energy to youth that makes you want to go and explore. I wouldn't know how to manage having to restrain that by staying inside.

Mockolate · 19/02/2021 23:03

I'm enjoying it, as too much school angst going on with eldest.
However, I'm starting to want it to slowly ease back.
There's only so long I can go without seeing my Mum and Dad for example.
The youngest is starting to struggle with online work, he wants to be there in person doing it and missing seeing his friends.
We need to start easing out.

Bellabelloo · 19/02/2021 23:04

I hate it too. I miss socialising and travelling. I just want a change of scene. So bored.

BobsDouble · 19/02/2021 23:07

Got used to it and made me own routine to keep sane but I HATE it. Can’t wait to get as much of my pre-COVID life back as possible, if that ever happens.

notacooldad · 19/02/2021 23:18

From my perspective its been ok.
I haven't stopped working.
A lot of my friends outside work are also my colleagues. Of course I've missed going to the the pub, on holiday and doing fun things outside work with them.

My young adult kids have been busy with work doing loads of overtime.
Dh lost his business last summer so that was a bit of a disaster but he got decent job quickly.
I used to have fear of missing out and over fill my spare time but I like the calm vibes I have now.

I like going out on my bike by myself and running on the moors so that's kept me going.
I'm missing skiing, swimming and the gym.

Teewithmo · 19/02/2021 23:18

I’m quite an introvert and am happy at hone with my own company aswell as with others, but this isn’t healthy, it isn’t right for the kids. However I feel, they need socialisation, I want my toddler back to living a life where she interacts with others

HildegardeCrowe · 19/02/2021 23:26

How can people say they’re enjoying lockdown? Can’t they see how it’s destroying other people’s livelihoods and put a stop to so many of the things that make life worthwhile?

IcedPurple · 19/02/2021 23:31

@BaconandWaffles

It’s ruined my career, my industry and my life. You can live under lockdown type circumstances most of the time if you choose. Take a job where you can work from home and don’t see anyone if that’s what you want. But don’t talk about how lovely it is to destroy millions of lives, decimate huge sectors of the economy and send people plunging into poverty just so you don’t have to do the school run.
This is so true.

All these posts from people who are 'enjoying the quieter pace of life', and who are so glad they don't have to meet with friends or family, have to listen to the office chit-chat, or drive the kids to various after school activities... well, you could have chosen to do most if not all of that without a national lockdown. People who have lost their jobs and/or everything else they valued due to lockdown don't have that luxury.

Mockolate · 19/02/2021 23:37

How can people say they’re enjoying lockdown?

I'm enjoying it from the point of view that I'm lucky enough to be a SAHM.

  • Homeschooling is OK when it comes down to it.

Two laptops, various gadgets available for both kids.
If they start to slack or be arses I can point them in the right direction/tell them what to do or the Xbox control is going lol

  • MIL wants to constantly go somewhere on days out/holidays which wouldn't be a bad thing if she wasn't constantly trying to take over or shout down

  • Money
    Adds up when you don't have random stuff like bus fares, school lunches., Scout fees
    Doesn't mean I can't see why others would be struggling too.
    The lack of school is starting to get to 13 year old so would prefer him back

bumbleymummy · 19/02/2021 23:41

No. I hate it. I hate that time is just ticking away while we do nothing. I hate that we are missing out doing things with our children. The years go by far too fast as it is. Even my usually introverted family members hate it. I want our life back. This is just treading water and existing.

garlictwist · 19/02/2021 23:43

I spend most of my time alone. Some days I'm really fine with it all and it doesn't bother me but I do have days where the time drags awfully. Today has been one of them. I've actually worked from home today even though technically it's my day off and I don't get paid just to kill time.

Bolshybun · 19/02/2021 23:43

I have taken the chance to reassess but ‘enjoying’ lockdown, definitely not. Friends have lost jobs, houses and relationships so it’s a massively subjective question. If you enjoy solitude then I can imagine you are coping well. My niece who is in her 20’s is not either, their life at that age is about friends and socialising. I am not enjoying it, I’d prefer the choice to have my own space and silence, having months of isolation being forced upon us I am definitely hating and I am miserable. I can’t wait for life to begin again

sonnysunshine · 19/02/2021 23:56

I feel like I am managing it very well despite on paper it should be hard (lost income as my business has been halved, husband frontline NHS, lost people to covid, had covid, DH had long covid (though on the mend), 3 kids trying to homeschool while working). However I don't hate it. Usually I am out every weekend and in the week, very social, love pubs, dancing, cinema, restaurants, theatre, weekends away, spas,.mountain climbing, playing sport etc and am.missing it all. However I have had lots of chronic illness so find this sort of easy as I'm not currently that ill and no this will end..I've spent a couple of years at a time being unable to "live" so take life when I can.Lockdown seems a breeze in some ways as I don't feel constantly in pain or so I'll I can't walk and I know it will end.