I don’t know how I am going to cope.

[SteveArnottsWaistcoat]

This talk of another lockdown, the doom and gloom of cases rising, the panic and hysteria.

I’m really, really starting to struggle with how I’m feeling about the current situation and what lies ahead for our futures. I feel almost as though I am suffocating.

Double vaccinated but it really doesn’t mean anything, it’s not improving the future.

Forgot to say.. I’m sorry you’re feeling like this too.

And posters like Nanny are detrimental to everyone’s mental health.

@Puppysharness

I completely agree. I’m desperate for some hope. Earlier this year I had a lot of hope, as the vaccines started rolling out, but now… everything I hear and read makes it sound like the vaccines barely matter. They might not work against variants, they don’t work 100%, not everyone is vaccinated, etc etc etc on repeat. All I can picture in the future is more yo-yo restrictions, nothing to plan for or look forward to.

I disagree with the poster who said 2021 has been better than 2020. In 2020 I saw a way out of this- vaccines. Now I don’t.

I would love to hear from those who still have hope. Please help.

Again, I can't relate to this at all.

The vaccines aren't perfect. No vaccines are. But they're bloody effective as far as I can see. Look at the case rates and look at the death rates. We are not in the same position now as we were last year - not even close!

I felt so vulnerable and fearful last year, but now I'm double jabbed, I feel confident again. I might catch covid, but I'm pretty sure I won't die from it.

Of course the vaccines matter!

I don't know why people are so determined to focus on the negatives?

Your buying into all the hype, second guessing and doom and gloom.
You have got to go with the flow, instead of getting too attached to how you think it should be.
I am calm and peaceful because l follow the natural rythmn of the seasons, the phases of the beautiful glowing moon, the migration of birds in flight.
The ebb and flow of the tide, the rising and setting of the sun. Look to nature see the bigger picture , the natural world carries on totally undisturbed, it is medicine for mental health and peace of mind.

@CataclysmicVariable

“ Maybe our lives are just inherently boring, or perhaps we are naturally inclined to focus on the positives, but I'm finding plenty of stuff to look forward to, even now with restrictions in place. ”

Not necessarily inherently boring, but almost certainly your personal circumstances. Surely you must realise that for other people’s circumstances the restrictions that still exist may still make life very different to, and maybe much more difficult than, pre covid? It’s not that hard to imagine.

Actually, I do find it hard to imagine why people are finding it difficult in the current situation.

Of course, it's incredibly tough right now for people who are vulnerable and remain so despite vaccination. Very scary times. It's also very difficult for families who lost loved ones during the pandemic. But I don't think that's what the OP was talking about.

It's tough for those who are out of work, but actually, there are tons of jobs around at the moment. It seems that every organisation, including mine, is struggling to recruit right now. Even unskilled trainee posts fail to attract applicants. I lost my job due to covid, but am back in work now.

It's hard if you have kids in and out of school due to isolation. I understand that, but it's the holidays now anyway and the bubble system is being scrapped as far as I know.

It's hard if you have close family abroad - I know, because we do - but at least the technology is there for people to keep in touch.

So I get that there are still some challenges, but I don't really get why people would feel that there is nothing to look forward to. There are plenty of things that we can do now. I think for many, a shift in perspective might be needed.

To those who say get out there and enjoy life, I went out for lunch with one friend last weekend. First meal out since March 2020. Caught covid.

Stay off here OP.

The doom mongers of MN aren’t going to help your mental state.

I think the OP is in Scotland, so it's worth bearing in mind their different rules. I'm in Wales. We moved to being allowed people in our houses under the rule of 6 today. That's the first time we can have friends or family to stay (who are not in an extended household) since March 2020. Some parts of the UK really have had much more restrictions than others.

@110APiccadilly

I think the OP is in Scotland, so it's worth bearing in mind their different rules. I'm in Wales. We moved to being allowed people in our houses under the rule of 6 today. That's the first time we can have friends or family to stay (who are not in an extended household) since March 2020. Some parts of the UK really have had much more restrictions than others.

Ah, OK, fair enough. I have lost track of what the rules are in Scotland now.

@110APiccadilly

I think the OP is in Scotland, so it's worth bearing in mind their different rules. I'm in Wales. We moved to being allowed people in our houses under the rule of 6 today. That's the first time we can have friends or family to stay (who are not in an extended household) since March 2020. Some parts of the UK really have had much more restrictions than others.

Have people been actually following those 'rules' though?

Everyone I know stopped caring about the number of guests they were 'allowed' to have in their own homes months ago, regardless of what the 'rules' said.

‘I don't know why people are so determined to focus on the negatives?’ @AlexaShutUp because this is where the media focuses. How many positive news reports do you see about the winter, about our future?

Would there be so much pushback (not from me….) against ‘freedom day’ if most people were feeling optimistic?

If you’re reading positive stuff I’d be grateful if you could share it.

@User135644

With social distancing and masks gone next week, that's me shut away again for the summer, I just hope that's not enforced come autumn because of this madness.

I feel sorry for you and others in your situation. What this pandemic has taught each other is that our mutual health and well-being depends on a collective approach and community civic duty of care. We all need to play a small role in doing our bit to help each other get through this together.

Instead we have seen both the best of human tenacity and spirit as well as the all too common self exceptionalism entitlement snowflakes who are self declared special and can’t be bothered with little personal pragmatic risk mitigation measures that keeps themselves and others that little bit safer especially those with less health privilege.

I wish you all including the original poster well and may you at least enjoy the best of British summer sunshine and have a lovely staycation or stay at home holiday without all the uncertainty of international mixing restrictions and health testing paperwork and quarantine hotels house arrest. Many summer events unlike 2020 are now operating with some Covid measures and limitations. Unlike last year we now have some medical interventions which have been a game changer as double and periodic vaccination will hopefully prevent Covid fatalities and so allow hospitals to treat other acute medical operations and illness. We may be still in the middle of a multiple year pandemic but science not politicians are doing their utmost to save the day as we must need to get on board to do our bit and what ever it takes in this new pandemic normal. Sadly the most vulnerable are no longer around but the rest of us will make it through this pandemic if we all do things sensibly and respect each other more.

Perhaps learn a new hobby as many of us have. A new language perhaps? International leisure travel will not be closed forever. I learned more via virtual linguistics gastronomy and wine tasting sessions. Did not know there were so many amazing nice people online globally sharing their passion for various food discoveries and wine tours with live virtual video call tasting sessions and cook along supper clubs etc.

Good luck, stay safe and cheer up!

To those who say get out there and enjoy life, I went out for lunch with one friend last weekend. First meal out since March 2020. Caught covid.

And …?

Chances are you’ll have an unpleasant week, worst case scenario.

It’s not like this things going away, so unless people are planning to avoid restaurants for years, this is a possibility they’ll have to get comfortable with.

And so it's not inspired me to feel positive about getting out there and enjoying life more.

@StealthPolarBear

To those who say get out there and enjoy life, I went out for lunch with one friend last weekend. First meal out since March 2020. Caught covid.

I'm not being funny but so what? The aim isn't to stop anyone ever getting it and feeling a bit poorly for a few days. It never has been.

X posted.

@StealthPolarBear

To those who say get out there and enjoy life, I went out for lunch with one friend last weekend. First meal out since March 2020. Caught covid.

What's the point of this?

Are you trying to scare the OP even more?

Everything in life carries risks. Some of us are quite happy to take the risk of catching a disease which is very likely to be mild, especially if vaccinated. Covid is always going to be out there, so if you won't to out for fear of catching it, look forward to a life as a hermit.

I get that. I was and I suppose still am of the opinion thay we need to live with it and hospitalisations and deaths are tghe main thing. But I got it on my first social meal out with one other person (or likely a coincidence and I got it in tesco) - it is rife and I don't particularly want to get it ahian and again.

@StealthPolarBear

I get that. I was and I suppose still am of the opinion thay we need to live with it and hospitalisations and deaths are tghe main thing. But I got it on my first social meal out with one other person (or likely a coincidence and I got it in tesco) - it is rife and I don't particularly want to get it ahian and again.

You're statistically quite unlikely to get it 'again and again', despite what you read on MN about everyone's DS having had it 70 times.

And it's not like anyone 'wants' to get Covid or any other virus. It's just that many of us think the risk needs to be put in proportion, as it is with other illnesses.

From September my DD will be eligible for playgroup up to 5 mornings a week (paid for by 30 hrs free childcare), lunch club, and preschool in the afternoon up to 5 afternoons a week. This is a massive difference from last winter where she was only in playgroup 3 then 4 mornings a week all funded by me. If things remain open she won't be in full time (lots of fun stuff like swimming to catch up on with her), but knowing that she could be is what is keeping me going. I could finally complete some of thoughs fabled lockdown projects everyone went on about in the first lockdown!?

I feel the same. Always have. Just tired and grotty and thinking if it's this easy to catch what hope is there.

The Biblical answer is Christians are told not to worry about tomorrow.
When I started taking that on board, half of my worries in life disappeared.

As to today's troubles, yes, everyone has those to deal with.

But as people on here are saying, today for many has been a nice day, with not that many restrictions.

If you would like more tips, please dont hesitate to DM me.

I feel the same. Our neighbour is very ill with COVID and is double jabbed. Numbers are through the roof here and DC’s school has closed early for the summer. This is not how I pictured this summer panning out at all!

OP I totally understand. Firstly I'm in Scotland too. Secondly I'm still unable to do the things I personally love most in the world, and to travel to see my family. Thirdly, covid derailed some huge life plans and there is far too much uncertainty to try and move forward with them yet.

I feel like I'm living in a giant limbo with nothing to look forward to except a further great big pile of uncertainty.

@StealthPolarBear

To those who say get out there and enjoy life, I went out for lunch with one friend last weekend. First meal out since March 2020. Caught covid.

That's unlucky. I've been out for 25+ meals, uk hotel stay, massage, holiday abroad last week and have never caught Covid. You just need to chalk it up to bad luck and crack on with life.

@FrownedUpon

I feel the same. Our neighbour is very ill with COVID and is double jabbed. Numbers are through the roof here and DC’s school has closed early for the summer. This is not how I pictured this summer panning out at all!

When you say 'very ill' are they in hospital?