Hey, just wanted to introduce myself - I’m Anna and I have an 8 month old girl, just moved to Cambridgeshire.
Thought it might be nice to share some personal stories of this pandemic and how it’s impacted on us? For me the theme has definitely been new friendships / combatting loneliness.
Where to start argh... I had a miscarriage in summer 2019 and then fell pregnant again shortly after. The whole experience was very isolating and I was super anxious. I didn’t know any other pregnant women at the time and didn’t have any mum friends with young babies. Someone recommended Peanut after I reached out. I just couldn’t stop thinking of a certain dating app.
However I was pleasantly surprisedas I met with two other mums prior to the first UK lockdown, and low and behold they became my two closest friends for the remainder of my pregnancy. We connected over pregnancy loss, as well as a shared sense of humour. I really don’t know what I would have done without those friendships! All antenatal classes were cancelled due to Covid and I don’t actually think you can make friends with someone you see in a Zoom call once a week.
I gave birth to my daughter at the end of May 2020, a proper lockdown and pandemic baby, but more importantly a much loved and anxiously awaited rainbow baby. Again during those first weeks and months those friendships were invaluable. Especially as me and my husband don’t have any family in the UK. Plus being a first time mum is scary at the best of times, but during Covid and lockdowns it was just even more tricky. My anxiety levels were often through the roof but knowing I could message / talk / meet up with other mums who actually felt very similar helped more than I could ever express. They say it takes a village to raise a baby, and with no family nearby those mums did become my sort-of village.
Perhaps I was lucky to find women I click with, as I feel ‘just because’ you’re both a mum I doesn’t necessarily mean you become friends,thats why i loved being able to get to know them a little before arranging to meet. However I recently moved to a different area and having a similar experience. I’ve already met with some mums for our daily exercise walk who I otherwise wouldn’t have met, as once again there are no face to face classes or groups at present.
There are definitely moments when I’m finding it very tough and isolating, I guess like most of us, but being able to meet some new ‘village members’ made the transition so much easier and a lot less lonely.
If anyone is struggling with lonliness, comment below with where you’re from and maybe you can find someone close by, also here’s the link for Peanut for anyone who’s interested peanut.app.link/ayIiB6XJZcb