Realising I prefer life in lockdown

[whatisheupto]

I'm wondering if I have some sort of problem. I have felt a huge sense of relief during lockdown... no pressure, no visitors, ability to just please myself (and DH and DC). I mean no disrespect to those who have found the last 10 weeks incredibly hard and stressful for all sorts of reasons.
Since Boris's announcement today, family are immediately messaging with plans to meet up. I suddenly realised I feel a sense of dread, which I feel awful about. They can be pretty annoying and I suppose the past couple of years they have been extra annoying, but they're not awful, compared to the stuff I read on here! I just can't really be bothered with seeing them, but I can't really believe I am saying that out loud. Why aren't I excited, like them and the rest of the country?!

Everyone is different, but going forward it will be so much easier for the self sufficient and resilient people than it will be for the social butterflies

Imagine being sociable, popular AND resilient and self-sufficient!

Everyone is different, but going forward it will be so much easier for the self sufficient and resilient people than it will be for the social butterflies.

It's easy enough to be unsociable when you're all grown up, but spare a thought for those who are in their teens and twenties who need to form relationships and make a few friends so that they can be resilient and self-sufficient. Or are you suggesting that everyone will be fine and dandy living as a hermit with no mates?

Exactly Papatron

Oh ffs. Thought police are out in force

I would like to see everyone but only just about. Ive enjoyed this time for the most part to be honest. Simple happy family life

Yes @Papatron I totally agree. This is torture for many teenagers and young people whose healthy development and mental health is reliant on making new connections and developing independence.

Yes I agree about the teens. My first year uni student is being brilliant but she's champing at the bit to get out. "I know you love it Mum, but..."

I hate the pressure to meet up with people. Video chats are so convenient!

I am never "under pressure" to meet people. You must be pretty popular.

We don't live near family, so no pressure there for us either.

I was in a bad place with social anxiety in the months before lockdown, so the sense of relief of having no social obligations is huge.

I’ve realised that it wasn’t only the big nights out social interactions that were a problem for me before, but also the social obligations of friendships. Even with my closest friends I find the to and fro of texts and conversations tiring.

Lockdown has been, as a pp said, one of teg happiest times of my adult life.

My anxiety is already rising as restrictions are lifted and meetups are starting to happen, and I am planning ways to maintain aspects of lockdown life.

@GatoFofo I can fully sympathise, I had a friend who came by every day in lockdown and it really got to me. i would wake up dreading the time she would arrive and I felt really trapped by her. I also didn't feel like I could say anything because she meant so well, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings. I got myself into quite a state about it. I tried everything to dissuade her but she wouldn't take the hint. I also couldn't even pretend to be out, because where would I have been! UGH it was awful. Luckily she wasn't able to come for a whole week and then lockdown lifted and she started seeing other people, so all is well now, but I FEEL YOUR PAIN! You need to be in the right frame of mind to have a sensible conversation, and I just wasn't in the right frame of mind. Have been prescribed anti-depressants now and feel much more rational (thank god). I tend to see friends I really like for walks now much nicer and suits me much better. I don't zoom or anything - hideous.

Why don’t you just tell them. Honestly, no-one wants to give others social anxiety/mental health difficulties, and a truthful text will be accepted. Otherwise people will assume that you are blanking them because you hate them.

I agree with SonEtLumiere. The problem with anxiety is that you push people away. They feel pushed away and that you don't like them, so they give up on you.

I’m the same in most ways (although I’d really like get back to the gym and theatre).