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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:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/03/2021 08:23

@Foxhasbigsocks

I can totally imagine people feeling forced to come to work, attend social events etc
Meanwhile those of us who can't WFH have just been carrying on going in as normal so to be honest I'm not very sympathetic to the idea of being "forced" to come into work. The rest of us just crack on with it.
lljkk · 27/03/2021 08:37

I just feel very alienated. I kind of knew I had different values before, but my peace with that has been badly unmade. My trust in the goodness of people is very low. People are very happy to snitch on you for vague shit and to cast around words like 'Covidiots', "twats", "selfish" or insist on "natural consequences" on the job security of people who wish to exert bodily autonomy. The love of Authoritarianism is enormous. I am now very aware of my fear of police. My values are indeed wildly wildly different from everyone else.

IrishMamaMia · 27/03/2021 08:45

'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.'
This is the best summing up of the curtain situation I've seen all year! I'll hang on to this, thanks OP :)

Roonerspismed · 27/03/2021 08:46

No I am
Still furious!

I think there feelings of being institutionalised are why people now think covid passports are a good idea

Roonerspismed · 27/03/2021 08:47

llikk I feel exactly like you.

I keep my thoughts to myself.

Ephe17 · 27/03/2021 08:52

Stockholm Syndrome.
Bozo, Hancock and Sage have completely fucked up the country and people love them for it.

Cannotgarden · 27/03/2021 08:52

I hate the numbing of screens, like we are all supposed to be ok because we can zoom and learn online etc but that's not 'real' and I hate it! I want to go to the theatre, not watch some tinny rehash on YouTube.

TempsPerdu · 27/03/2021 08:57

No, can’t identify with this at all personally. I can’t wait to get back out there; have felt trapped and claustrophobic all year. We’ve already advance booked a whole load of stuff that’s opening after April 12th.

@lljkk’s post about alienation encompasses it more for me. Wouldn’t say I’m scared of the police as such, although I now trust them must less, but I too have realised how few people share my values (the Brexit vote already hinted at this but covid has brought it right out in the open).

I’m very liberal and very much ‘live and let live’ and ‘each to their own’, but it seems many people would be accepting of if not entirely fully with full-on authoritarianism, and I find that pretty terrifying.

whatswithtodaytoday · 27/03/2021 08:58

Yes, I feel like this is life now and can't imagine going back. This is normal though, it's human to adapt quickly - it's why we're so successful as a species!

However, I know that once everyone starts doing things again it will become normal, and I'll adapt again. I am worried about my parents, who despite being vaccinated have said they don't think they will ever feel safe to be around people again - including my son, because he's at nursery. I really hope that time will lessen that fear, but I think it will take a while and I'm so sad for them.

MrsTophamHat · 27/03/2021 09:00

Yes, i feel very out of the habit now. I'm worried that it's stopped occurring to me that it would be a good day for soft play/ farm visit/ wander round the city centre. Aside from that, it all sounds so very expensive now to be going to all of these places just because.

Neolara · 27/03/2021 09:00

I keep forgetting my keys when I go to the shops or for a walk. It's like I've forgotten how to successfully leave the house.

Cornettoninja · 27/03/2021 09:00

I think it depends a lot on what your experience has been. We’ve all had some drastic changes to face but they haven’t been uniform. You will also have people who’ve taken the downturns in our overall handle on the virus very badly and who will be on edge waiting for it all to go wrong again. It’s an exhausting way to live but I get it given the last year.

I’ve had to work throughout all of this but if I’d been wfh I think I’d find it very hard to switch back. In a way it’s done me, as an individual, a favour. Plus I’m in a weird position as I recently left my NHS position and now actually feel at less risk than I have in a very long time.

Take things at your own pace but try not to let the opportunity to have a little more happiness pass you by. We’re in a good place regarding covid control. It could all go south again but we will cross that bridge if/when it comes to that.

whatswithtodaytoday · 27/03/2021 09:01

Just to add... I'm not enjoying lockdown. I miss real life. But I am still scared of getting Covid, so will be taking things very slowly and won't be doing anything indoors until I've been fully vaccinated and the news on varients looks good.

MarshaBradyo · 27/03/2021 09:03

I feel claustrophobic and a bit broken from second lockdown. Not depressed so much but this doesn’t feel normal.

More suppressed. I think I’ll spring back quickly I hope.

TempsPerdu · 27/03/2021 09:04

I hate the numbing of screens, like we are all supposed to be ok because we can zoom and learn online etc but that's not 'real' and I hate it! I want to go to the theatre, not watch some tinny rehash on YouTube

Yes! The pathetic pretence that Zoom/virtual can be remotely on a par with real life experience infuriates me. Especially for kids - all of DD’s toddler classes moved online during lockdown but charged the same to access them. They were a pale imitation of the real thing, and we’d put one on, DD would look disappointed and then wander off within a couple of minutes. Years of warnings about addiction and about excessive screen time being bad for developing brains instantly out the window.

I’m not a tech puritan, but children in particular are meant to live and learn in the physical world.

Original poster
Toomanymuslins · 27/03/2021 09:04

I think some have misunderstood me.

I’m not enjoying lockdown and I can’t wait to get out there.

But it feels unreal.

OP posts:
ilovebagpuss · 27/03/2021 09:06

I am looking forward to things opening and moving on, But I am a bit freaked out about it in terms of moving out of lockdown. Like I almost feel I should be doing something on Monday, quick fill the garden with 2 families or should we drive to see the in laws in their garden 2 hours away like it’s expected.
I’d rather wake up in August and just step back on at a fully normal point if that exists. The build up It’s making me stressed for no reason.

Horehound · 27/03/2021 09:09

I'm enjoying lockdown. Saving lots of money, still chatting to family and friends. We do quizzes every Saturday on teams. It's fun. I speak to them more now than I did before all this happened. Well apart from my parents who I did speak to Alot.
Go on walks and stuff. Still go shopping, the high street is still busy.

MumofPsuedoAdult · 27/03/2021 09:10

@BonnieDundee

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

Same same same.

Live and let live. I'm desperate to get out but in no intetnion to 'bully' anyone else to do anything.

NickMarlow · 27/03/2021 09:10

I can't wait! I miss people so much. I can't wait to get back to church, go to the theatre, see friends and family again, have day trips.

And then I get sensory overload in the supermarket from all the people and movement and sounds, and realise how strange it's going to be and how much we'll all have to adjust to.

saffire · 27/03/2021 09:14

I quite like that it's taken away some of the "pressure" of life. No commuting, no having to spend hours in the office with toxic people. Not having to see people I don't really like.

It's made me realise that I can say no to stuff that I just don't want to do. That there's nothing wrong with that.

It's made me save £10k in a year of not wasting my money.

But the thing I really miss is travel. I want to go on holiday (and not in the UK!).

SpnBaby1967 · 27/03/2021 09:15

Life through a computer screen isnt normal.

I'll never accept this half life. I dont feel institutionalised because I refuse to walk blindly into this nightmare like so many others seem happy to do.

TempsPerdu · 27/03/2021 09:16

No, I can’t identify with things feeling unreal either OP! Smile Clearly I’m not very adaptable as for me it’s the last year that’s felt unreal and Kafkaesque. Certainly don’t feel like this life is in any way normal and have railed against it all the way through. I vividly remember what my ‘old’ life was like, and want it back.

Thecazelets · 27/03/2021 09:16

I have got strangely used to spending next to nothing nothing on petrol, clothes, holidays, entertainment and outings. Even makeup and skincare, which I love, I have barely bothered with as no-one can see my face behind my mask and visor at work. It will be weird loosening the purse strings for non-essentials again. I have a haircut booked for 12th April, which will be my first in 15 months, and it seems like a major expense!

Changemaname1 · 27/03/2021 09:20

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

Nope I hope they stay home so I can get to the bar quicker 😉