More happy with my lot since the start of Coronavirus!

This was never going to “unite the nation” luluaugust just cause an even bigger division between the have’s and the have not’s in society.

I feel I have been able to take a breather and come off the hamster wheel I'm normally on of full-time work ,babysitting and keeping up with housework I don't know if I'm happier but it's certainly made me appreciate my family, home ,garden and friends it just makes me sad when you think of the grief and sadness that so many others are going through due to Covid 19

Gillybob, thank you for bringing a view from the other side of the fence. It does us all good to be reminded of what life is like for so many. You are a brave and courageous woman.

Jomarie, I empathise with your post. Well done for writing it.

It is good that some people are enjoying this quarantine period but the vast majority are suffering because of it. My son's job will almost certainly go as he works in the hospitality industry. So many small businesses are going to fold. Mental health problems are being exacerbated, hospital appointments missed (many because people are frightened to go to a hospital). People who have no choice but to use public transport in order to get to work are going to be frightened. The media has become even more unreliable - who do you trust? We cannot continue like this. We have to try and get back to some sort of normality.

I have said from the start that this will be a time to reflect. We will realize that things we thought were important aren't. We will prioritise in a different way. We will live in a simpler way and appreciate what we have.

Priorities, yes. Before lockdown the fact that my hearing aids and and new glasses need adjusting because they cut into my ears a bit would have been a top priority to get fixed - now I just think I am lucky I have them at all. Likewise, shock horror, one of our kitchen drawer handles has had to be removed, poorly fitted originally we realised. So to open we just have to first open the drawer below. We have done nothing about it because we couldn't and have got used to it. None of the above seems to matter at all whereas before they would have meant a flurry of phone calls and appointments.

I do realise though that we have become institutionalised in our own home. It seems normal now to have the same routine every day and not bother with looking presentable, I just make sure I don't do any housework at weekends to make those two days seems a bit different.

I can't at the moment imagine at all what life will be like in the months and years ahead.

I have followed your posts gilly and my heart goes out to you and others who are struggling ??

Sending you a virtual hug gillybob. I read your posts on Good morning GN. You're having such a rough time. All my good wishes. ???

Thank you for your kind words wendyann and smileless .

I think while some people are almost revelling in their new found peace and prosperity, there are others who will pay the price for the rest of their (very hard) lives.

Having read your post gillybob I think it would be quite wrong for me to be unhappy with my lot. Like so many others I could do with a hospital visit which will now be done by phone, useless without x ray. What everyone said was a united nation for a few weeks, is going to become a divided one soon.

I hope things begin to improve for you and your family gillybob

Gillybob my heart goes out to you and your family at this strange time. I think people forget that there is also financial hardship as a consequence of lockdown. OK if you are retired and can choose to isolate and make the most of lockdown but the economic consequences of this are going to reverberate for years. It is our children and grandchildren that are going to pay the price for the deep recession that is ahead of us. Like you I can see no positives in lockdown.

Any chance you could rent your 3rd house out to my DS and his family Houndi ? they’re really not bothered about a pool or hammock.

Really ?

Been appreciative of the slowdown and lack of external stressors. But having said that it’s been a terrible time for so many and so sad. I hope we will have gained some kindness but I fear lockdown may leave some lasting mental scars on many. I worry for the little ones - I know they are generally fairly resilient but they must think we’ve all gone crazy saying you can’t hug anyone! Still missing my family but on the plus side finally getting to grips with a good sensible healthy eating plan.?

I think lockdown has made us appericate the little things.I love the time i get in my pool time on my hammock in the garden and all the money i save each month.At this rate i think i will be able to buy a 3rd house

Well I am most definitely not happy with my “lot” . Things have gone from bad to worse since the start of this CV pandemic .

My business is teetering on the brink of collapse.
We have no income but still have to go to work .
My son and his family are about to lose their home.
My daughter is so lonely she cries on the phone.
I haven’t seen my DGC for months .
My daughter is being told she must return to work or face zero income but I’m not allowed to look after my granddaughter as I normally would.
My DH is really poorly and in desperate need of an operation.
My DH’s Scans have been cancelled
I desperately need to see a dentist but can’t.
I need to see an maxillo facial consultant but can’t

But on the positive side I have clean cupboards.

Humbertbear, yes a slowdown has many benefits. We've had time for reflection and to appreciate the small everyday things that really enhance our lives.

I've been eating and sleeping really well. Migraines (caused by rushing around) have gone. Getting back to basics and simplifying life is a change I want to make permanent.

PS forgot to say liked your post Jomarie

I too am happy with my lot jennilinand learned some time ago that rather than waste my time and energy trying to change something that cannot be changed, or mend something that cannot be mended, life is better when I don't try to do either of those things.

TBH I haven't and am not finding the lock down particularly difficult or stressful. Rather like Blinko and Humbertbear, we are fortunate to live where we do and being retired have no need to worry about getting back to work and have no financial worries.

There are things I miss but that said have no plans to make any changes, apart from going to my hair dresser when I can.

OceanMama, how well you express just how I think and feel.

I have found more time to do stuff I didn’t have time for if you know what I mean! However I would not like this long term. I’m still working two days a week but it’s much harder to do my job at home, granddaughters have gone back to school today ( in yr 6) but their mental health has definitely suffered especially the one and my daughters have become considerably more anxious and tense which has been sad to see.

I’m grateful we are all well and I know I’m luckier than some but there’s lots of things we as a family have missed, a holiday, granddaughters last term fun events which we’ll never get back and lots more.

I wonder if you’re all trying to convince yourselves because you can’t change it anyway

I think I must be in the minority then, I miss my grown up children and grandchildren who live too far away for a day trip and not sure when I can see them. I rely on public transport and miss my bus trips out, I miss going into a cafe for a coffee and I miss shopping with friends. I miss my weekly social groups.This is a very lonely life when you live alone and phone calls, zoom and Skype are just not the same. I am making the most of living in lockdown but would love life to get back to normal but don’t think it will ever be the same again. And the loss of life has been horrific and just hope that the number of deaths continues to fall daily.

Sorry - I’m also taking a lot more exercise (can we please have an edit button on our contributions)

I have found lockdown to be quite enjoyable but I am lucky. We live in a house which gives us room to have our own space and we have a garden. We’ve also been able to source food from delivery services without too much bother,
The positives:
I’ve spoken to friends much more than I usually do
I’ve re- discovered a love of growing plants on the patio
I’ve been painting, knitting, sewing and reading
I’ve got rid of yet more books and tidied cupboards
I’ve tried out lots of new recipes.

In short, I do not plan to return to my formerly hectic lifestyle but will continue in a slower lane