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Is it just me?

(162 Posts)
Parky Tue 14-Apr-20 08:42:36

Am I the only one who, apart from concern for others, is enjoying the lockdown? We live in a town which is usually always noisy with traffic and chatter, but now on my daily exercise walk I can hear all the birds singing and find peace and quiet.

I'm a bit deaf and have trouble hearing usually, and certainly never hear bird song in our noisy society.

YorkshireSal Tue 14-Apr-20 11:43:41

I am certainly enjoying the peace and quiet.
However I would feel happier if I didn’t have to worry about getting food supplies. My husband is over 70 and I am a cancer survivor with one or two health issues - so we are staying at home and not going near shops. It’s become impossible to get delivery slots. I do understand that the very vulnerable have to be at the front of the queue. But who else is booking all these deliveries? I even sat up til midnight to see if I could get a slot as they are released. They were all fully booked the minute they appeared. It’s exasperating and a worry.

Bijou Tue 14-Apr-20 11:43:09

It doesn’t make much difference to me. For the past three years I have been housebound apart from hospital visits and until the lockdown went on the Dial a ride for shopping one morning a week.
My family all live miles away and all my friends have died because they were older than me.

Notsooldat75 Tue 14-Apr-20 11:41:54

I’ve taken my watch off - so liberating!,

BlueBelle Tue 14-Apr-20 11:41:23

No I hate it I m a people person can’t stand having no proper human interaction, no touching, no work to make me feel fulfilled and keep my mind busy
Not for me .... you must be quite an introverted person to enjoy such solitude or perhaps you’re locked down with the love of your life and enjoying their company
I totally agree sillynanny you and me both lost my reasons for getting up each day (of course I do)

Jengra Tue 14-Apr-20 11:36:10

There are certainly advantages to not being so busy with deadlines and responsibilities. I do miss the grandkids although we see them through video link ups. Likewise my friends. I am beginning to think I might like a trawl around town or meeting up with friends but try to stay thankful for what we have and try not to worry too much about such an unknown future.

GreenGran78 Tue 14-Apr-20 11:27:31

I thought that I would really miss my social activities, but I don't. My son, who lives with me, has been home for a couple of weeks, and it has been good to spend extra time with him, but they have called him back to work, from tomorrow, so we will have to be more careful again.
I potter around doing just what I feel like each day. Sometimes I am lazy, and sometimes I pat myself on the back for the amount I have done. The garden is all sorted, as far as it can be without any new seeds or plants. Some jobs in the house, such as giving the oven a long-overdue clean, can wait for a wet day.
I live in a countryside-ish area, so I take a long, secluded walk every day. Although classed as vulnerable, because of my age, I am actually completely healthy, and fitter than many. My DD and adult GD shop for me, and we have a long-distance chat down the drive.
On the down side, I do worry about family members who are still working, and feel sad for those badly affected by this horrible virus. The rest of my family are in Australia, and my trip to be there for my GS's birth in four weeks has been cancelled, which makes me sad. I hope that all goes well. We are planning a family Zoom meet-up for my DS's 40th birthday next week, and we all chat regularly.
I am lucky not to have the worries and problems that so many people have because of the virus, and I count my blessings.
Polnan You must be finding it very hard, and send my deepest sympathy to you.

Romola Tue 14-Apr-20 11:25:00

What a lot of contented grandparents on this site! For myself, with the advantages of space and nature on our doorstep, no real worries for our nearest and dearest, I am nevertheless not really enjoying the lockdown. I can't help feeling helpless, not able to do anything other than give money for all the people whose lives and livelihoods are so badly affected.
I'm active in local politics (not saying which party) and am missing the contact with like-minded others of all ages. And I normally depend on the leaflet deliveries and canvassing for the local elections to get me fit for the summer!
So I'm tolerating rather than enjoying this strange period, hoping there will still be events and trips to enjoy later in the year.

Thecatshatontgemat Tue 14-Apr-20 11:21:27

Yup Parky. I am with you.
Peaceful living that l have not experienced since l was a child. Back in the 1950s it was always quiet like this.
Loving it.

SillyNanny321 Tue 14-Apr-20 11:20:49

Sorry Acer thumbs have mind of their own today. Should be even if we do not know each other.

SillyNanny321 Tue 14-Apr-20 11:18:34

Hi Acer, have tried to be positive. Used to volunteer in a charity shop where my disability was taken into account & I felt valued. Now I just feel like a decrepit old woman. I have friends & family I can talk too. It is the continual round of pretending I do not miss them & hugging my Grandchildren. Not many people enjoy the books I like to read or listen to the music I like so find left out of group activities. My fault I know, I just do not like being shut in. Most of my friends have partners with them in lockdown. Sorry just a bad time & I am a misery now so off to make another cuppa & maybe will walk down to talk to the sea if not too chilly in the wind later. Thanks for your thoughts nice to have someone care even if we do know each other.

Calendargirl Tue 14-Apr-20 11:14:08

Yes, I’m enjoying it. No pressure to rush off to aquacise, voluntary work in school, not having to cook for GC after school. Just me and DH.
Getting jobs done, but not feeling under pressure, as Scarlett O’ Hara said “Tomorrow is another day”.

But knowing we are lucky to have a comfortable home, pleasant garden, our health(hopefully) and no money worries really. It must be dreadful for so many.

Feeling apprehensive about when it’s over though, on so many fronts.

nuttylady Tue 14-Apr-20 11:13:30

I'm feeling more relaxed and less stressed with the lock down. I still have to work 2 days a week but do like to be home the rest of the week

chris8888 Tue 14-Apr-20 11:12:18

No l don’t like it, l live in a flat with no outdoor space. Miss the freedom to go and see the grandchildren too.

Buffy Tue 14-Apr-20 11:11:34

I agree with all of you. The peace and quiet in this small city is amazing. I appreciate my garden even more these days.

Tillybelle Tue 14-Apr-20 11:10:35

I am used to being alone and unable to get round big shops unless they provide scooters. I am not going out at all and beginning to get low on goods I use. However I do have other things and can get by. It has been a joy to find what wonderful neighbours I have on one side, and my children are in touch more.

However I can't quite get the worry out of my head concerning our front line workers especially as my daughter is one. I am distressed about the people in care homes, making them accept DNR without any discussion sent me over the edge. So on balance, the situation outside my home is too distressing for me to be able to enjoy the pleasant parts such as sitting in my garden. Even that makes me upset for those without gardens....

jenwren Tue 14-Apr-20 11:08:38

I was relaxed about it all because I thought it(stupidly) wasn't going to last that long. This morning being told another month(at least) oh noooo!!!!

Sitting in the garden listening to the bird song is tainted with thoughts of all those people dying and dying alone because the family cannot be with them.

The only positive I can get from it is the planet is having a rest from pollution.

minxie Tue 14-Apr-20 11:06:58

I live on a boat and it’s even more peaceful here than usual. Feeding the swans, Geese and a solo beautiful Mandarin duck is wonderful everyday.I’d show you a picture if I knew how I’m exercising more to build up immunity and cleaning one room daily. Then I’m settling down to a cross word or stitching.
As long as we can keep the wolf from our door which is tricky as my partner is a key worker and my two grown boys and their partners, I shall be content.

Debs551964 Tue 14-Apr-20 11:05:38

Maryhoffman37 you ha e echoed my feeling entirely.
I can't bear the thought of these, poor young Mums stuck in a Studio Flat in a high rise tower block with kids. Poor loves ??. No garden, no park. Has to be horrendous. Those with violent partners as well, now that really must be dreadful ?? xx

Wendy Tue 14-Apr-20 11:05:18

We are lucky to be in a big house with a large garden. We do go for walks around the local orchards. We even get up later as there is nowhere to go early. We exercise indoors and keep in touch with the children via WhatsApp and I read the grandchildren bedtime stories via video. It is a much slower pace of life. I do miss working in the hospital shop and doing my own grocery shopping. My wonderful daughter has been doing it for us. The local pub delivers lovely meals. I do feel for families, especially those in flats, trying to home school for the first time. Hopefully we will come through this without losing anyone. Our NHS is amazing. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones.

Lucca Tue 14-Apr-20 11:04:37

Very happy for everyone who is enjoying it. I can’t say I am.
I am Putting up with it. I very much miss my sporting activities and. Having coffee out with friends et.
I don’t have a garden and in any case how would that make up for the worst aspect which is not seeing my family
One lot live about 70 miles away and the others 15,000 miles away and I have no idea at all when I will see them again and yes I’m doing all the FaceTime etc etc.
Personally I think it will be many months before any semblance of normality returns to this country and longer before air travel is a viable option.

Rachel123 Tue 14-Apr-20 11:02:38

There are some positives to the current situation. A step back from the manic pace of life is welcome a chance to slow down and evaluate our lives but these to me do not compensate for missing my family. Seeing my sons daughter in laws and grandchildren without giving them a hug is difficult. Also being miles away from my elderly mum hurts as well as the feelings of concern and guilt.

We can definitely learn and appreciate more from the current situation but the sooner things return to normal the better.

Harris27 Tue 14-Apr-20 11:02:05

Feel for you Polan I really do. I need to get back to normal isolation is killing me. Mentally I feel drained and tired all the time even though I’m doing less. Hubby and I aren’t used to be together this amount of time. I like to read and knit and doing this is a treat normally but now it’s keeping me sane. Good luck to all in isolation.

Jan66 Tue 14-Apr-20 11:01:35

There are parts of it that I quite like (birdsong, less traffic etc) but I am missing cuddling my granddaughter who is only 4 months old.

Sheilasue Tue 14-Apr-20 10:59:57

Must admit that when I do my daily walk, it’s very quiet and can hear the birdsong more than usual, we live near a very busy road called shooters hill which the Romans built so it runs from Dover up through Kent, etc to us near Woolwich
We are right at the top of the hill and the views are amazing we also have a farm and the other morning we heard a cow so it’s got it’s good points lockdown.Stay safe x

SeaWatcher Tue 14-Apr-20 10:59:56

Not enjoying it ! I miss my aqua aerobics classes (I used to go three times a week). I miss seeing friends, family, all the things I used to enjoy doing. Our house and garden are small and my husband and I were adjusting to his fairly recent retirement before lockdown happened ! We've been busy doing things : by the end of the 1st week we'd done a sort out of the garden shed, the cupboard under the stairs, the spare room and our wardrobes and done quite a bit of work on the back garden. I've been trying new recipes, doing exercises to try to keep fit, lots of reading. Then there's emails and keeping in touch with friends and family with texts, video calls, etc. We're trying not to think of the already booked holidays which won't happen this year. I think the only one enjoying the situation is our elderly dog who is loving having both of us here all the time ! All this is of insignificance compared to the hard work and risk to their own lives of all the people in the NHS, bus drivers, care workers, postmen, etc. The people who are doing so much for the rest of us. Hearing of their deaths reduces me to tears every time I hear about it.