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Original poster

Does anyone feel as if they’ve become ‘institutionalised’

153 replies

Toomanymuslins · 27/03/2021 06:27

I know it’s completely the wrong term. But things like shopping and eating out, trips to the zoo and swimming, seem like another world.

I’m just used to it now. It’s become normal.

Is it just me?

OP posts:
Foxhasbigsocks · 27/03/2021 06:28

Me too! Part of me doesn’t want it to end.

Heartofstrings · 27/03/2021 06:29

I understand what you mean. For me, the word institutionalised doesn't cover how I feel but I can't even imagine what it will be like to go to restaurants without even thinking about it. I can't imagine taking my kids to the farm. It's so odd, isn't it

FlappyFish · 27/03/2021 06:29

I do. I feel like I’ve blithely accepted this is my life now. Going to be some fascinating psychology out of this all in future.

Foxhasbigsocks · 27/03/2021 06:29

Obviously I don’t want people to keep being ill so I want the virus to go, but I like being at home with dp and the kids. I like not having to see people I found difficult and not having to commute.

SnuggyBuggy · 27/03/2021 06:32

I get what you mean. I remember when the parks opened and I had to take a rucksack with my 2 year old's things and I could barely remember what to pack. It must be worse for people who are at a use it or lose it stage of life when it comes to basic skills.

ssd · 27/03/2021 06:32

I can't imagine standing with strangers in a crowd and not thinking twice

Original poster
Toomanymuslins · 27/03/2021 06:32

Oh I don’t enjoy it, at all. But I have become used to it.

It’s a bit like when you look back at books from the late Victorian or Edwardian period and read how life was but also with a sense of dread that you know that world is about to implode. I feel it’s similar. Anyone with a baby born between 2000 and 2020 so most people on this site I imagine have had their childhoods impacted - some more than others - in ways they couldn’t have predicted.

OP posts:
Cripesitsthegasman19 · 27/03/2021 06:56

No. I won't accept this shit life as being normal.

SnuggyBuggy · 27/03/2021 06:58

No the difference for me is how abnormal this is to me. I feel like an animal in a zoo pacing it's cage.

cryh · 27/03/2021 07:06

Yes, I think that is a natural response (there are a range of natural responses).

I've been explaining it to the kids it is like muscle strength - we intend to build back up gradually.

Have read a lot of articles about it.

The thing really isn't what you do on X date, but the overall level that feels nice day a year after all this is over. I have zero clue yet what I want my level to be next year - I don't know if this has changed me or not.

Time will tell I guess.

Fleetheart · 27/03/2021 07:13

I’m kind of used to this strange life. I like being at home and even though it’s a bit boring, I’m also feeling scared of going back to a more social existence.

RampantIvy · 27/03/2021 07:14

I feel like an animal in a zoo pacing it's cage.

That is exactly how I feel. I feel so stifled. I go out for walks a lot, but it is the lack of social interaction with real life people that I miss.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/03/2021 07:15

Nope, not me. Can't wait to be going on days out and holidays. I'd dtand

cryh · 27/03/2021 07:17

@RampantIvy

I feel like an animal in a zoo pacing it's cage.

That is exactly how I feel. I feel so stifled. I go out for walks a lot, but it is the lack of social interaction with real life people that I miss.

Yes, I am not like this myself but this is an entirely natural response.

I think the most important thing we can all do is understand there will be different responses to coming out of this.

Tortoise and hare etc. I am definitely a tortoise but I will get there in the end!!

cryh · 27/03/2021 07:18

I'm scared the very keen people will bully others who are not so ready.

MarshaBradyo · 27/03/2021 07:18

I still find it unnatural and abnormal

But normal life seems quite far

There’s a poet guy on R6 each Friday who keeps saying what I think. Last one was called I’ll meet you at the cafe

Really good (made me a big teary)

MarshaBradyo · 27/03/2021 07:19

Bit

pabloescobarselasticband · 27/03/2021 07:23

I have got used to it and I really enjoyed the quieter Christmas and new year without all the usual chaos. Although im really looking forward to being able to go abroad on holiday.

LizzieMacQueen · 27/03/2021 07:29

I'm bored. Bored of TV watching, bored, bored, bored. Becoming boring myself. I'm talking banal crap to my DH and DC. I feel myself losing the basic social skills. I feel myself losing basic driving skills. If I go out of my home town I feel anxious on the roads. Very unlike me.

BonnieDundee · 27/03/2021 07:52

No the difference for me is how abnormal this is to me. I feel like an animal in a zoo pacing it's cage

This is how I feel.

I'm scared the very keen people will bully others who are not so ready.

I dont know where you're getting this. I'm desperate to get out and about again but I dont care what other people do. If they don't feel safe to meet up I'm absolutely fine with that

Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/03/2021 07:55

@cryh

I'm scared the very keen people will bully others who are not so ready.
Why would they? I don't care if other people don't want to do stuff yet, it means more space for me!
Foxhasbigsocks · 27/03/2021 08:03

I can totally imagine people feeling forced to come to work, attend social events etc

Rockbird · 27/03/2021 08:10

Yes I think there will have to be some understanding that just because things will open, not everyone will be waiting at the door to run out. Some people, myself included, will need time to adjust. I don't like lockdown but I've got used to it and it'll be hard to flip back to normal overnight.

Hardbackwriter · 27/03/2021 08:10

@Foxhasbigsocks

I can totally imagine people feeling forced to come to work, attend social events etc
Work is a different matter but there is - and always has been - a really easy solution if you're invited to social events you don't want to attend; turn the invitation down. The people who actively want everyone else to stay under legal restriction to avoid them having to say they don't much fancy seeing their MIL this week absolutely astound me.
BonnieDundee · 27/03/2021 08:12

Forced to come to work I cant feel much sympathy with. I've been "forced" to come to work throughout as I'm NHS and we havent had social.distancing in the office. Factory workers and the people picking and delivering our online orders have been forced to go to work throughout as well. Obviously I do have sympathy for vulnerable/ shielding people

About social events I think it's easier than ever to avoid stuff you dont want to do. Just.say you dont feel safe yet

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