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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:
LemonSherbetFancies · 27/03/2021 12:21

Yes, I feel like this.
Yet the other half of me knows how happy my life was pre covid with DP. We cannot wait to get our social lives back and see all our friends and huge family.

TinaYouFatLard · 27/03/2021 12:21

@Toomanymuslins

Sorry I wasn’t meaning to imply anything about you. I was just saying that I personally have been making conscious decisions to remind myself that this is not normal life. Apologies if it came across wrong!

Original poster
Toomanymuslins · 27/03/2021 12:41

Sorry tina over sensitive as some people seem to think I’m saying I won’t ... I can’t wait ... BUT it feels odd!

OP posts:
makesIlaugh · 27/03/2021 12:43

Me too. I went into the office for 1/2 a day - (WAH for 12 months) there were 5 of us in an office that normally has over 100. I found it horrendously noisy and too open. I think I am getting mild agoraphobia, I currently work in my own small, silent office at home and I love it. I really think I will struggle when we have to go back.

makesIlaugh · 27/03/2021 12:46

Hmmm. Just read more comments- I seem to be in the minority, I do want to see friends and family but work wise this is so much better for me!

TinaYouFatLard · 27/03/2021 13:32

@Toomanymuslins

Sorry tina over sensitive as some people seem to think I’m saying I won’t ... I can’t wait ... BUT it feels odd!
No worries. It IS odd. I sometimes ask myself, if Covid disappeared tomorrow and all restrictions lifted, what would I really do with my day? I’m very vocal about my desire to get back to normal but these habits become second nature too quickly.
millenialblush · 27/03/2021 13:32

@makesIlaugh I agree one of the positives has been the realisation that we dont all need to be in the office every day to do our jobs. Presenteism was a toxic force in pre-covid life. But other forms of isolation such as not seeing friends and family, social distancing and staying indoors are hugely detrimental for many

CaesarsDream · 27/03/2021 13:41

I think people are generally apathetic. Our freedom of movement (and speech) is slowly being eroded and no one gives enough of a shit.

When rules ease (whatever that means) I fully intend on doing the following with my DC:

Visit the zoo
Swimming in public pools
Shop on the high street
Go on holiday (usually always domestic)
Eat out once to twice a week
Walk around without a mask on wherever legally permitted

The government and the so called opposition can fuck right off if they think I'm going to allow myself and my DC to become institutionalised. 🖕🖕🖕

TheOneWithTheBigNose · 27/03/2021 13:58

@CaesarsDream

I think people are generally apathetic. Our freedom of movement (and speech) is slowly being eroded and no one gives enough of a shit.

When rules ease (whatever that means) I fully intend on doing the following with my DC:

Visit the zoo
Swimming in public pools
Shop on the high street
Go on holiday (usually always domestic)
Eat out once to twice a week
Walk around without a mask on wherever legally permitted

The government and the so called opposition can fuck right off if they think I'm going to allow myself and my DC to become institutionalised. 🖕🖕🖕

Amen to that.
RedcurrantPuff · 27/03/2021 14:00

I know what you mean. My world has shrunk to these 4 walls and I’m not as bothered as I know I should be.

RedcurrantPuff · 27/03/2021 14:01

But yes if the restrictions were lifted tomorrow I’d start going out and seeing people again.

Ormally · 27/03/2021 14:16

"We used to just walk into pubs, walk up to the bar, get a drink and chose a seat without considering any sanitation measures? Really?"

Remember when a kid's birthday party included blowing out candles right over the top of a cake, then cutting the same cake up to distribute to everyone to take home? It'll take me a while to feel properly ok about that one again....!

BonnieDundee · 27/03/2021 14:21

Yeah, the birthday cake with candles. I don't think I want that to go back to normalGrin

Hanidjed7 · 27/03/2021 15:12

@CaesarsDream

I think people are generally apathetic. Our freedom of movement (and speech) is slowly being eroded and no one gives enough of a shit.

When rules ease (whatever that means) I fully intend on doing the following with my DC:

Visit the zoo
Swimming in public pools
Shop on the high street
Go on holiday (usually always domestic)
Eat out once to twice a week
Walk around without a mask on wherever legally permitted

The government and the so called opposition can fuck right off if they think I'm going to allow myself and my DC to become institutionalised. 🖕🖕🖕

Amen to that as well xx
Siepie · 27/03/2021 15:37

I can't wait to get out and do things again, but it does all feel surreal.

I work in a university and saw photos the other day from a graduation ceremony in 2019. Hundreds of people from hundreds of households squashed next to each other in an unventilated building. It felt momentarily like something from a fantasy film.

And a clip from a TV show with a school trip to a care home! I almost gasped before remembering how sweet and innocent that would have been 18 months ago.

Ormally · 27/03/2021 15:50

Was watching Educating Rita at New Year. Not sure whether this small image will post but there was a scene of an exam hall. Made me feel very weird - not least because that was supposed to show a formerly 'abnormal' distance that was thought sufficient to prevent copying - desks 1 metre apart.

Does anyone feel as if they’ve become ‘institutionalised’
zafferana · 27/03/2021 15:59

I just made a restaurant reservation for Sat 22nd May. It's only to Pizza Express, but OMG an actual restaurant!!

DS2 doesn't go back to school until 20th April so I've just told him that not only will he (and his DB) be getting a haircut on 12th, but we'll be going to the zoo and swimming that week Grin

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 27/03/2021 16:22

I know what you mean. I do feel that a bit. Last summer when we could do more things it came quite naturally though.

OrangeBananaFish · 27/03/2021 17:11

I'm a bit in both camps. I really can't wait to get back out there again. I have a few things this coming week - outdoor bootcamp on Monday, running club Tuesday and taking DD2 to a picnic with her friend and mum on Friday. However, it has been nice to come home from work and do nothing on an evening.

Up until 13 months or so ago it was fairly normal for me to be getting up early on a weekend to attend some random parkrun or a race and be out half the day. Its been that long I'm really not sure I can be bothered even though these are the things I have missed the most. I know that once they restart I will be there and will enjoy every second of it.

I started a new job 3 weeks ago and after a year of working from home followed by 2 weeks of not working at all (knew I could afford the break in between the two jobs) it was a sudden change going into work every day. However, it only took a week to get used to it.

I think once things start opening again and we are able to do the things we enjoyed before Covid it wont take long to get back into it all again. We will soon bounce back. Obviously some will bounce back quicker than others, but I really don't think it will be long. Then at some point we will look back and all this will seem really really strange.

CarlaH · 27/03/2021 17:21

For those querying why some people accept invitations to things they don't want to go to and are therefore slightly apprehensive about a return to some sort of normality I would point out that some us live in couples.

My OH is champing at the bit to get out there again. Wants to go to restaurants, pubs, theatres you name it.

Wants to meet up with friends asap. I have never been keen on doing as much but went along with it because it's normal to want to go out and about.

This quieter pace of life has suited me far better than my partner but now I am going to have to get used to doing things I don't enjoy all that much again.

I have seen plenty of people advising that if you don't want to go out then just let your partner go on their own and you stay at home.

That doesn't really conjure up a proper partnership for me.

I am sure I will get used to going out and about again in due course but it doesn't mean that I don't have some small regrets.

ChocOrange1 · 27/03/2021 17:21

I guess maybe people feel like this if they live in an area of constant lockdowns or have been shielding.
I went to the pub in December, took my kids to the farm and a theme park, so it doesn't seem that long ago.

CarlaH · 27/03/2021 17:24

Pressed send too soon.

It's the vaccinations that have caused this excitement about being able to get back out there.

There wasn't the same pressure during the summer last year because we both felt vulnerable.

I am not sure I actually have total faith in the vaccinations anyway. I don't fancy getting covid even if it will be milder as a result of the jab.

tootyfruitypickle · 27/03/2021 18:08

My thing is I don't want to have to book ahead for everything. I don't do that much but I don't want to have to plan a day out two weeks in advance and then find out it's raining !

TalkToTheWind · 27/03/2021 18:11

I am quite happy with my tiny world of house, garden and allotment. This time last year I was having panic attacks and I cried every day. Now I am worrying about being out and about...

Januaryissodull · 27/03/2021 18:15

I feel a lot like @lljkk

I tend to stay quiet on how I really feel a lot of the time.

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