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Original poster

Re-Entry Syndrome

61 replies

likeamillpond · 14/03/2021 08:52

After a whole year of not socialising, things will feel strange for a lot of people.
.People will have to relearn the art of small talk for a start.
The advice is to not rush into rejoining everything all at once and above all
Be Kind and patient with eachother.

I agree.
Any other tips?

OP posts:
Original poster
likeamillpond · 14/03/2021 08:54

Oh yes the link

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/13/covid-take-things-slowly-lockdown-ends-avoid-re-entry-syndrome

OP posts:
lljkk · 14/03/2021 09:19

Small talk is easy to do while social distancing. Confused

MazekeenSmith · 14/03/2021 09:25

Yes for sure. It took us a year to get used to barely seeing anyone outside our immediate families and planning nothing fun, it will take time to get used to the opposite!
Some people will rush straight back into partying etc but many won't, even people who aren't naturally introverted or shy to start with

Original poster
likeamillpond · 14/03/2021 09:31

@MazekeenSmith

Yes for sure. It took us a year to get used to barely seeing anyone outside our immediate families and planning nothing fun, it will take time to get used to the opposite! Some people will rush straight back into partying etc but many won't, even people who aren't naturally introverted or shy to start with
Yes. Even some non shy people will find it odd to start with.
OP posts:
MRex · 14/03/2021 09:34

If you're fretting about having restrictions taken away then you already have a level of anxiety and would benefit from speaking to your GP to access services that will help you with coping tools.

SonnetForSpring · 14/03/2021 09:36

I think most people will settle back into it surprisingly fast. It will be harder for younger children under 5, as a year of this will have made a bigger impact on them.

SonnetForSpring · 14/03/2021 09:38

It's like riding a bike. Those who never rode a bike will still struggle. Those who were just learning will still struggle for a while. It comes back very quickly.

SonnetForSpring · 14/03/2021 09:38

And those who always hated riding a bike, still will.

WeatherwaxOn · 14/03/2021 09:39

I loathe small talk so find the endless "are you doing anything nice at the weekend?" excruciating. I haven't missed it in the wider context, but think that that being in more crowded places that are likely to follow with the easing of restrictions may be difficult for a while.

Original poster
likeamillpond · 14/03/2021 09:41

@MRex

If you're fretting about having restrictions taken away then you already have a level of anxiety and would benefit from speaking to your GP to access services that will help you with coping tools.
Im not worried about it. I can't wait to go for a coffee r mealwith my friends again But we have all joked that we will probably be stuck with what to talk about for the first 10 minutes. Even though in normal times we could all easily talk for England.
OP posts:
WindFlower92 · 14/03/2021 09:41

I agree - we haven't seen many people in the last two months and had to drop DD off at MIL's last week (hospital appointment) and it was so nice to have a conversation! But I think I bored her stiff as little things are magnified when you're at home most of the time, so I do think 'catching up' with people might be a bit strange at first.

justanotherneighinparadise · 14/03/2021 09:41

In the school queue we were having this conversation the other day. The mid anxiety about showing our whole face to the public again. I have definitely aged under my mask and I’ll admit I’m a bit nervous.

ThriceAsNaice · 14/03/2021 09:44

Develop stronger boundaries and the ability to say no thank you. That's my tip for myself anyway!

It's taken all this to realise how much I was doing was out of a sense of obligation or expectation or just going with the flow. I just don't need the level of social interaction that seemed to have been demanded of me so I'm not doing it any more, but I need to improve my communication skills in this regard.

WaterBottle123 · 14/03/2021 09:45

Humans are the most adaptable species on earth and all we're being asked to do is to go back to NORMAL behaviour.

I think if people are fretting about this they probably need to check their privilege and think of countries in the world with actual problems. The next decade is going to be tough with climate change etc, we need to raise our game and resilience.

MazekeenSmith · 14/03/2021 09:47

@MRex

If you're fretting about having restrictions taken away then you already have a level of anxiety and would benefit from speaking to your GP to access services that will help you with coping tools.
What a pointlessly callous post
Original poster
likeamillpond · 14/03/2021 09:49

Yes I think Covid has made people stocktake their lives.
There are two social activities I used to go to once a month, because I felt I should and not because I wanted to.
When we 'go back' I'm not going to them anymore.
I will be more selective.
Life's too short to spend precious time doing things you don't enjoy.

OP posts:
Hardbackwriter · 14/03/2021 09:52

I don't identify with this at all - I have sympathy, as I would for anyone suffering from anxiety, but I can't imagine not feeling total joy at the idea of being able to resume normal life. But then I've never understood the people who say how great lockdown has been for them because they haven't 'had to' see relatives/take their children to loads of activities/rush around constantly. I get it for people talking specifically about working at home which isn't usually a free choice, but otherwise they're always talking about things they chose to do before - if you've realised you didn't like them then just don't!

changi · 14/03/2021 09:53

I haven't stopped talking to people so I think I'll be OK.

Original poster
likeamillpond · 14/03/2021 09:54

@WaterBottle123

Humans are the most adaptable species on earth and all we're being asked to do is to go back to NORMAL behaviour.

I think if people are fretting about this they probably need to check their privilege and think of countries in the world with actual problems. The next decade is going to be tough with climate change etc, we need to raise our game and resilience.

For goodness sake. People are allowed to fret if they want Not need for the Whataboutery. In my first post I said we need to be tolerant and patient with people. Wonder how that'll play out? Hmm
OP posts:
ThatOtherPoster · 14/03/2021 09:55

I’ve been feeling like I’m the only person who’s feeling nervous about the end of lockdown. It’s lovely to know that I’m not.

WaterBottle123 · 14/03/2021 10:03

@likeamillpond

Of course people are allowed to fret, we all have free will. But seriously, the world is on fire and only a resilient, agile human race is going to be able to deal with it. Calling it a syndrome IS self indulgent and only encourages people to make something out of nothing. We in the UK are so bloody spoiled!

Honestly, I wish anyone feeling nervous or stressed by easing well, I really do. But that doesn't change the actual reality we live in, which is that we are spoiled and need to raise our game to deal with the shit that is to come, not go round inventing syndromes.

I wish you the best for easing.

MRex · 14/03/2021 10:07

@MazekeenSmith - it isn't callous to suggest that people get help if they have anxiety, what a very weird way to read my post. It takes strength to seek help when it's needed, but it's a good thing to do.

MazekeenSmith · 14/03/2021 10:11

[quote MRex]@MazekeenSmith - it isn't callous to suggest that people get help if they have anxiety, what a very weird way to read my post. It takes strength to seek help when it's needed, but it's a good thing to do.[/quote]
It's callous to imply that anyone who has concerns about significant changes to their life is suffering from a mental illness.
Being a bit worried about something == anxiety

SpnBaby1967 · 14/03/2021 10:37

Someone who is friends with my mum hasnt left her house since Mid february 2020. She wont even let the tesco delivery man within 15 feet of her and will slam the door in his face if she feels he got too close. She's stopped responding to my mum texting her for large portions of time, eventually responding saying she has been staying in bed so hasnt been responding. She is PETRIFIED! And she isnt even particularly at risk. Her and her husband both had vaccine appts, she wont go to hers as it means leaving the house, or letting someone near her in her house (as we did suggest a home appt). She used to be so bright and bubbly, sang in the community choir, helped out with various charities, went geocaching with my mum, weekends away, the works.

I just dont see how she will ever recover, as she sees every human being as a virus ticking time bomb laser focused to kill her.

Mindymomo · 14/03/2021 10:38

I am lucky that I’ve continued dog walking every day and meet other dog walkers to have a brief conversation with whilst walking, I’ve hardly been in supermarkets, probably about 6 times in the last year and I have struggled with wearing glasses and masks and having to watch where I go and not to get too near to people whilst selecting food. Each time I’ve got out quickly and not necessarily got what I went in for. Plus in those few times I’ve gotten told off for not staying in the right queue and putting things on conveyor before being asked.