Is it just me?

I love not having to get up early every day that my youngest sons in college!(hes 17 at weekend) & yes still has me getting him up& doling out breakfast& pills(he takes a few each day) & getting him off on time! and i like choosing what to do when(aside from making meals) so good there- nothing to rush about for..downside is making the said meals 3 times a day for 2 sons still at home,if was just me id eat whenever i felt like it..and all the extra washing & cleaning but still,at least theyre safe& theyre company.(when they emerge from their gaming consoles!)

I do have so much to be grateful for but am still loathing every minute of the lockdown. Unlike some others on this thread I love the noise and the bustle of normal life and am never happier than when I’m in the company of others. Household jobs have to be done but give no pleasure. I like to rush through them and then on to something more interesting!

I am relishing the quiet road with very little traffic. The periods when children aren't screaming and yelling running up and down the road, the thump of a football in the grassed area opposite. What I am not looking forward to once this ends is the drunken parties that will no doubt be held to catch up with, sorry - celebrate - the end of so many restrictions.

I’m cat sitting still for clients unable to return home. So this really is enforced idleness for me. I’m not at home to do any of those tasks that haunt you in the back of your mind. I can only live in the moment, sewing, reading and knitting in the sun with their delightful cat for company. I count my blessings constantly ...

I’m okay, and counting my blessings. Not enjoying it though, I just feel so guilty all the time. For sitting reading in the garden while so many are stuck in with no outdoor space. For having a guaranteed income while so many are worrying about their future. Even for being on here while so many don’t have any technology or WiFi to keep them entertained and in touch with the outside world.

There are some positives for all of us, and I hope we keep them when it’s all behind us. Less pollution, more working from home, less anti-social behaviour, time to think about what’s important, individuals and communities helping the vulnerable. And more appreciation of the front line workers who are usually just taken for granted.

But I hope it’s over soon.

totally agree with Jeanlang about retirement, i said i was treating this as if i had retired(still 2 years away), the only downside not having the freedom of travel. but its great that i am not running around for everyone, that they have had to cope, can cope and had better not expect it to go back to the old way when this is over. enjoying the quiet, happy to shop once a week or less and getting all those jobs done around the house. miss having the grandkids to look after but lucky enough to be able to wave and talk through the window on the day i shop. take care everyone

I don’t think we must be introverted to enjoy this time as I think Bluebelle said, and another poster decried us for being smug, which is a bit unfair.

Since moving to where I now live several years ago, home has always seemed the best place to be, and since retirement even more so.

Not saying I would want this state of affairs to be permanent, but reduced social contact is not a problem.

If this makes me smug or introverted, then I apologise.

And I pray that all my family stay safe, I cannot imagine the heartache some are going through.

Hi everyone especially polnan. I was widowed in November so do understand where you are coming from. It’s been a steep learning curve for me. When I cry I’m not sure whether it’s because of my loss or because of the nightmare scenario of covid19. I think lots of us are very emotional right now.
I’m lucky in that I have a garden and live in a lovely part of the country. I’ve not lived on my own before and both my daughters live many miles away.One works for the NHS. I’ve been very grateful for the friends who keep in touch. One FaceTimes me every day at 4pm and it helps give some routine to my day. I think in someways the quiet is helping me come to terms with things. We are all different aren’t we.
All the best to everyone

My greatest pleasure is no noise from the school opposite! The general peace and quiet are wonderful - so healing.

I am hoping that, if this lockdown goes on long enough, people will start to see that maybe they don't need to drive/travel into the city every day after all. That would not only save them money and stress, but ease the traffic congestion and pollution.

The lack of road traffic and planes are particularly marked and such a relief.

Even though I knew the lockdown would continue my heart sunk when I heard it would be at least another 3 weeks. My DH is loving it, he wouldn’t admit it but he’s happiest just having me for company. He loves our family but he prefers it when it’s just us. I’ve been married long enough to know! He says he doesn’t need friends which I think is sad but that’s how he is. I love him dearly but I need that social interaction with people and miss my DC and DGD so much. We FaceTime yes but nothing compares to a good meal around the table, plenty of laughs and the hugs and kisses we so took for granted before all this. I know we’re lucky with a nice house and garden and us, family and friends well at the moment which I pray will last. So I kick myself up the ‘proverbial’ every now and again to be grateful for what I do have while so many have lost their lives or loved ones to this horrendous virus. Keep safe everyone x

My first lockdown thought was 'What a relief! I don't have to pretend to be well and go out.' That's Fibromyalgia for you.

My major feeling is guilt! I'm extremely vulnerable but medication keeps me well. I feel guilty that my husband is isolating himself because of me so we are trying to get food delivered when others, alone and frail are struggling. I have a comfortable home and a decent garden and I feel awful because I don't enjoy gardening, I'm perfectly capable, even brought up in a family of keen gardeners. So many don't have any open space.

All these lovely gransnetters turning out their cupboards and tidying their drawers with gusto - I take my hat off to you. I really can't be bothered. It needs to be done, just not yet.

I should be following an exercise regime too, is twice a week often enough I wonder?

I'm just blown away by the dedication of all those essential workers, NHS, refuse collectors, postmen and women, delivery drivers, cleaners, care workers, people who keep the electricity going, the mobile phones, internet, such a long list. Before I retired, I was one of these. It has given me a comfortable retirement.

So many are suffering, my immediate family are OK at the moment although things could change and I miss them.

I feel guilty about counting my blessings too....

Yes you and a few others might be enjoying it. But I and the thousands of others (millions) are not. So please it keep to your smug selves. I watched a young girl in tears this morning after having lost her 58 year old mum to the virus, she was stuck in her mums house as she had to isolate. It was heartbreaking. I had my own DD in tears on FaceTime the other day as she is finding being by herself hard. I know of others who’s mental health is really suffering at the moment being stuck inside. Goodness knows how this is going to end, the financial implications are going to be enormous. I could go on, but what the.....

For anyone who is struggling, as I was yesterday, I highly recommend Big Cat Rescue on YouTube. It’s a live webcam in a tiger enclosure in Florida and it’s lovely to watch, especially on a television screen. Listen to some classical music at the same time. It completely lifted my mood. I felt very down. Not now though

Yes I’m loving it. We are lucky to live with a beach on our doorstep (literally) and I’ve never seen it so deserted. Not usually very busy but now it’s our own private place.

I love the peace and bird song. It is making me much more aware of nature. A slower life style back to another time. Focus on what is around us. Yes I am enjoying this rather strange time.

My husband is loving it. His travel to work takes half the time. He says the motorways and roads are empty and it’s like driving when he was young. On his days off he can spend most of the day with his beloved motorbikes in his new enlarged garage. There’s no grandchildren around to annoy him(he loves em really) the house is tidy. I’ve got loads of time to take him cups of tea while he’s tinkering. Apart from long telephone conversations he’s not sharing me with our family so is getting lots of attention. Me? Not so much

I think we had a similar thread earlier in the week, and I am another one who has a feeling of freedom during this lockdown. No need to socialise, which I too find difficult and as one post said freedom to do what you like when you like.

But I do feel very sorry for families in flats with young children, and for their sake I hope it soon passes but I think I'll pretend to be neurotic about the virus and continue my own lockdown!

There are things I appreciate - much less traffic, both on the roads and in the air (the planes don't particularly bother me but they're not exactly good for the environment are they).

It would be nice if, when this horrible time is over, we could continue to reduce pollution levels by, for whom it's possible, using cars and planes less.

I do miss meeting up with friends and family (Zoom, etc, is better than nothing but, for me anyway, no substitute for being with people - a hug, a friendly pat on the shoulder.). I miss going to choir and that uplifting feeling I get from singing with other people.

For those of us who are lucky enough to have a garden, this may not be an altogether intolerable experience but for those who have no outside space it must be horrible. When the weather is pleasant, people naturally head for parks but it can be difficult to maintain the required distance. The Green Party suggested that the many private open spaces in this country could be opened up so that people may walk in them without fear of overcrowding. It is apparently the case that there is more land in Surrey devoted to golf courses than to housing. There are many volunteers who might be quite happy to be out in the open air monitoring the use of these spaces.

My husband is a recluse..... hasn’t been out of the house for fourteen months ( yes count them)! He’s so anti social even the kids/grandchildren visiting were an annoyance ........ so he loves all this lockdown because nobody can come into our house now! I’m more outgoing and gregarious, so I hate it. When I mentioned MY predicament to my husband... he just shrugs... and says “tough”.... but he’s an A* ( I know that cos. he approves of the Idiot President of USA)...so please imagine what lockdown is like for me! Luckily I can retreat to garden or bedroom while he fixates on tv 15 hours a day.

I am enjoying the lockdown as my daughter and 3 year old grandson moved in with us as we saw the lockdown coming. Nursery closed and she can work from here. So enjoying the time with our grandson despite being exhausted at the end of the day!

Lockdown has lots of benefits - more birds singing, less air pollution, and no cars passing down my road with loud music blaring, but for me apart from the obvious disadvantages of not being able to interact physically with my grandchildren and other people, I also find my email tray overflowing every morning with updates from every single organisation I have ever had any dealings with. Admittedly, many are inviting me to some free online activity but there comes a point where there's no time to breathe. I would like some happy medium, where lockdown lifts but society takes on a new face including a slower pace of life - too much to ask for I know. I do also realise that living without a garden must be a nightmare and my heart goes out to all those living in flats, and especially those with children.

I too have enjoyed listening to bird song as I also live in a town. I feel myself suffering from a lack of motivation to do anything. I now live in a flat and I wish I had a garden at this moment in time. Also, my partner and I do not live together and he is isolating in his own home twenty miles away especially as he only has one lung. I miss him terribly, along with my family. He thought about isolating at mines but as I work in the local hospital we decided it wasn't a good idea. Goodness knows when we will all see each other again. I don't see it being for quite a while yet.........

I was the first week. It was marvellous not being at everyone’s beck and call! Now I’m beginning to find it a bit more difficult and am missing social contact. I have a small garden at the back of the row of cottages I live in, which is not at all private. Sadly my immediate neighbour has mental health problems and seems unable to pick up on social cues, so doesn’t realise that people might be busy or want to conclude a conversation. I feel a bit inhibited by this to put it mildly. At least I do have outside space.
How people with small children in a high-rise flat are coping is beyond me. My heart goes out to them.

Nope, don't like it one little bit but I daily ('minutely' actually) count my blessings that I am in a position to be in good health and spirit when I compare myself to so many who are seriously struggling physically and/or mentally. We're constantly being told 'help is available'. I'm not so sure about that in this moment of time. Sure, certainly, many people are going above and beyond but I fear many of the really needy and less articulate will be slipping through the cracks. Nightmare time for all of us. Can find no virtue in it whatsoever.