How long before we’re all disappointed with normal life again?

[Thewinterofdiscontent]

So we’ll all go out with friends and family ASAP and pop round each other houses. And go shopping. It’ll be fantastic.
How long before people start moaning again?

Those with no friends and family are going to feel even worse once everyone else has somewhere to go.
Everywhere will be packed and we’ll be pressured to spend a fortune just because we can and we haven’t seen each in so long.
We’ll remember how rubbish having to physically turn up for work is and get resentful of people who have been kept at home. And those at home will feel sidelined.
Crime will be back up again.
Hospitals rammed again and impossible waiting lists.

Our children will be able to go to school and university. We can all see the gp and go to the dentist. People may get their jobs back. We can see family and friends. We can go out if we like. I like all that sort of thing. I'll be happy. I liked the way things were.

I think everyone will have a different version of life. The same way we've all had a different version of lockdown, so someone who appreciates their life will get on and enjoy for much longer than a negative type who will be bored and instantly moan about things!!

But to answer directly, I'd give it 2-3 years before the collective just assume normality

Can you imagine looking at all the cinema times in the paper - and saying, 'There's nothing much on. Let's just stay home?'
Much as I'd love to sit down in a cafe, I doubt the novelty value will thrill after the first week! And I never went to a pub more than once or twice a year, anyway!

When I'm shopping in town and my hungry baby is screaming at me, I won't have to either feed her in the freezing cold outdoors or make my way back to the car to awkwardly feed her there. I'll definitely be going to cafes!!

More seriously, the number of people who have no friends and family that they're desperate to see by now most be pretty small?

I think generally unhappy people are unhappy and happy people are happy. Barring serious changes in circumstances like bereavement.

I don't like Louis CK after the gross stuff but he's right.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I wasn't disappointed with normal life, and I can't wait to be able to do normal things again.

I do think this has highlighted how many people are isolated and lonely, and as a society we should do something about that.

I think you’re right to a certain extent, op. It’s like when you get back from Glastonbury and really, really, really appreciate having your own toilet - but it only lasts a couple of days.

I've never been disappointed with normal life. You carry on being negative and gloomy if you want, but I'll be out there enjoying myself.

I didn't moan about normal life back then.

It was great.

Obvs you encounter some annoying things but that's just life.

It must be draining to be an eternal pessimist OP.

I wasn't disappointed with normal life either and I can't wait to get back to it, all of it.

I was very happy in old life. I loved going to work (as much as you can 😂), my commute was manageable although I don’t miss it.. my office is sociable and 50% of the people I loved seeing on a daily basis (don’t miss the rest of them). The day would be full of chat & laughter. Outside work, life was happy & full. I enjoyed watching my children do activities, I enjoyed meeting friends & family for lunch & coffee every week. I never spent a fortune, I spent within my means & saved a good chunk of my wage each month. Life had ups & downs but it was overall good. And happy.

I miss it all desperately. I miss time my OH probably more than anything. While we are literally never apart anymore, with two young children, we’ve had zero time for each other. We are with the kids from 6am-7pm. Then one of us cooking, the other tidying, cleaning, chores. We eat tea about 8pm, watch telly for an hour & go to bed. To sleep because we have a baby and are up all night. In normal life, we had date night once a week while friends or fam babysat & we’d have the odd night away here and there. Or a grown up day trip just the two of us. We made sure we took the time for us as a couple as well as being parents. That’s all gone & I hate it.

I think if you have realised you were miserable or lonely or didn’t spend enough time with your kids, it’s time to reassess why & what you can do to make it better in the future!

@SaskiaRembrandt

I can't speak for anyone else, but I wasn't disappointed with normal life, and I can't wait to be able to do normal things again.

I do think this has highlighted how many people are isolated and lonely, and as a society we should do something about that.

Me too, I liked my normal life and was not disappointed at all.

I have to admit, whilst there's been a lot wrong with this period, it's been a welcome break from that FOMO I sometimes suffer from.

I didn't moan about it, I was generally satisfied with life and considered myself fortunate but every now and then I'd hear about something I hadn't been included in.

Actually, maybe that wasn't when things were normal, but more when we were restricted to groups of six. I did find that quite stressful, wondering where/if I'd make the cut!

I had a very happy life before. I was perfectly happy with my work and being able to do it properly, face to face, even if it did involve a lot of travel.

I can't wait to be in a packed bar with my friends in shoes that pinch my feet.

Some people will never be happy will they?

Bring it on!
I don’t want to suddenly do everything. I just want to see my family and my children to see their friends.
Swimming, cinema, Christmas panto. I can’t even think about these things I miss them so much.
I’ve hopefully learned not to rush around as much.
I will appreciate little things. It’s been going on too long to forget how much we lost.

I was happy with normal life before. Can't wait to get back to it.

Humans adapt quickly.

I'd say something like gratefulness for ordinary things will be a bit stronger generally, hopefully along with some better hygiene - but the old AIBUs and grumbles will be back with a vengeance before long.

After all that's part of getting back to "normal".

Another one who was happy with normal life. When my DC are back at university instead of missing what should be a hugely formative experience, I will be very pleased.

Sadly I think when the inevitable job cuts/long NHS waiting lists/lack of public spending start to bite, widespread dissatisfaction will be real.

I'm desperate to get back to normal!

But... when we came out of the first lockdown I remember feeling a strange stomach churning anxiety, and I'm sure it will be the same this time. It disappeared as soon as DC went back to school and I could go back to work.

I actually miss moaning 😂 I miss whinging about my office chair being shit. I miss complaining about the traffic. And you know why, because it felt SO good to get home for the evening! I miss the feeling of having earned my sit in the sofa. I miss looking forward to the weekend because I was fed up of work by the end of the week!

I wasn't disappointed with normal life, this time last year I was looking forward to a fantastic holiday in Croatia in May.

I was pretty happy with normal life and am unhappy now. I think I'm pretty normal not to find as much joy in staring at your own four walls every day, watching your teen DS grow unmotivated and slobby due to no school, miss seeing friends other than outside singly and planning holidays and fun things to do.

I was very happy with how things in my life were going before all of this so I'll be delighted to get it back again.