Anyone anxious about reopening? How are you managing it?

[Laytwir024]

I know most people can't wait so this probably isn't the thread for you! I'm also looking forward to lockeown easing BUT simultaneously quite anxious. Anyone in the same boat and how are you planning everything? I'm not sure I actually know how to do anything socially anymore.

I'm with you. I also hate uncertainty - will my job be WFH or an office, when will I know. Things like going to my sister's home will be easy but I'm actually pretty down about the new normal. I hate going places and not getting a seat for example and not everyone is operating a booking system. I'm worried I'll mess up the new rules too, memories of making innocent mistakes with one way systems last summer and thirdly I'm worried it will all get taken up again if we do too much.

I’m with you. Very nervous

I know what you mean. I wouldn’t say I’m dreading it, but I’m not excited about it either and can’t quite bring myself to plan anything, but don’t really understand why. I don’t think I remember how to socialise, or be out and about.

I expect i'll have a quiet year while looking forward to catching up with friends again in the summer. I hope if and when it's back to the office for my workplace, it's done gradually and only part time.

I might feel differently when i've had the vaccine, but it's going to be difficult to get out of the lazy mindset of being at home all the time. Once i've had the vaccine i'll try and push myself to be more social. It depends how things go and whether people start getting too carried away in June and it's mass gatherings and crowds everywhere.

I hope I get the vaccine some time in May so I can go out for a drink before it gets too crazy.

Not so much anxious but not that keen on everyone rushing to get back to normal when aspects of this have been good. For example, going back to club running sessions in the same old venues when I've been running with a friend at a time and exploring new routes. It has been really good, non-competitive, social and running for pleasure, but people have booked onto club sessions this week - they want to get back to them. So unless I want to run alone, I have to as well :(

I couldn't wait for things to open before, but surprised myself recently when I imagined going to our local pub again and my stomach flipped and not with excitement. I'm definitely still looking forward to seeing my friends and family again, but other things are definitely making me nervous.

We aren’t rushing into anything so they may be open but we will continue to avoid things for a while with crowds as still too many breaking the rules, claiming to know it’s just a cold despite no test, not understanding what 2m is etc.

We will stick to garden socialising for a while and see how cases and vaccines pan out.

I feel exactly the same. I'm really dreading the weather getting better and having to suffer a loud/antisocial spring/summer - last year was hell and I just think this year will be worse. I'm dreading the office opening up as I love working from home.

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to going out for dinner and going away for a couple of staycations - but there are so many aspects of this 'new normal' that I love and that suit me so well I'm nervous about everything rushing back to normal, and the pressure of saying 'yes' to everything as everyone else will be.

@TangerineCandyfloss

I couldn't wait for things to open before, but surprised myself recently when I imagined going to our local pub again and my stomach flipped and not with excitement. I'm definitely still looking forward to seeing my friends and family again, but other things are definitely making me nervous.

Me too

I'm similar and a natural introvert anyway! I've just got worse. Meeting a friend for a walk is a massive deal and we don't do it often and we're very carful. A lot of my friends live far away though and we haven't met up for so long. They're already organising bbqs and picnics in the summer which involves travelling about a bit and larger groups. I get it because a lot of them are single and don't have the responsibility of young kids or elderly parents nearby. Those that do are working and have kids in school so sort of accepted the risk now. My family have have in a real bubble and I hate the general anxiety, being the spoilsport to take it slow and also still getting fomo if I don't do it. I have this ongoing worry that my friends will give up on me (a new mum worry anyway).

@Laytwir024

I'm similar and a natural introvert anyway! I've just got worse. Meeting a friend for a walk is a massive deal and we don't do it often and we're very carful. A lot of my friends live far away though and we haven't met up for so long. They're already organising bbqs and picnics in the summer which involves travelling about a bit and larger groups. I get it because a lot of them are single and don't have the responsibility of young kids or elderly parents nearby. Those that do are working and have kids in school so sort of accepted the risk now. My family have have in a real bubble and I hate the general anxiety, being the spoilsport to take it slow and also still getting fomo if I don't do it. I have this ongoing worry that my friends will give up on me (a new mum worry anyway).

Yes to all of this - I honestly can relate so much! I'm also an introvert and having spent so long now in a world that fits my natural instincts it's going to now be even harder to readjust my mindset and get out of my comfort zone.

I always worry that about my friends too. Every time someone in the group chat mentions meeting up my heart sinks - it's not because I don't want to meet them at all, it's just that my brain has to process and prepare for things in advance before I feel 'ready'', while I know most people can just do things without a constant internal dialogue', but I just don't feel ready yet and I know it's going to take me longer than usual to get in the right headspace because I've been so used to being indoors for so long!