Is it just me?

I’m still staying in apart from walks and like today a trip to the pharmacy. I just don’t feel comfortable in crowds.
But it is up to the individual and if you feel comfortable with whatever you are doing then that’s ok.
In some ways this enforced lock down was very comfortable and cozy and I have certainly got used to it.
I’m looking forward to my husband playing golf seems he’s starting to veer between manic and sloth like. It’s doing my head in. He needs to be out and about.

Your feelings are well founded. All you described has from what I have seen has been going on before easing of restrictions. The roads have been used as race tracks by many. Only on Saturday did I encounter 3 cars obviously racing one another and I have witnessed visitors in gardens sitting under sun umbrellas in gardens having coffees etc. hardly a foot between them. Childmibders next door is the worst- all the parents having a seat and chat. They must be key workers, think they would have more concern. I watched the series on Dunkirk last week, happened on The Railway Man film and am utterly disgusted at the behaviour being displayed in this country. So so selfish.

I have lived alone for the last 14 years and had more or less made a new life after loosing my husband and moving near daughter. However the lockdown hit me quite hard as I am high risk even though daughter doing shopping and having meet up on line once a week with rest of family. Eldest daughter is lead nurse specialist of renal unit and is on front line but she still rings up on regular basis about washing hands etc Tomorrow for first time I am meeting two friends in local park but keeping distance. Really looking forward to that.

I feel we of the "mature generation" consider others generally, and as this virus is due to be around for a long time, we are sensible to keep distancing, washing hands and hand sanitizing often, as we do now. And point out to people not distancing, for example in shops, politely to keep a distance.

I agree with Parky. We are all different and some people need to be more careful than others. I also agree with craftycat I get very annoyed at the idiocy of some. Overall I think it is easy to think everyone is out there having a great time, but it is just what you see on the news, there are a lot of people like yourself. I go out to exercise and shop and have had tea in a friend's garden (6' apart) and saw my granchildren yesterday. I feel it is important for my mental health to get some face to face contact.

totally agree with PARKY

Ok I am not yet 70 (not quite- another 3 weeks!) but I have been going out all the time. I have had a daily walk & taken car to shops at least twice a week. I have shopped for neighbours & friends who were too nervous to go out so have been to all the local supermarkets every week.
I am not nervous about it. I take sensible precautions although I have never worn a mask ( I do have one in my bag but everyone is very good about distancing in shops round here).
I have never felt uneasy at all.
However seeing those morons climbing at Durdle Door yesterday & the mess left in London parks by the crowds who flocked to them & left all their rubbish behind makes me so cross. Does it not occur to them that someone has to pick it all up! I despair at times. Even my youngest DGC knows that if we picnic while out we take all our rubbish home.
It makes me wonder what their houses are like inside!

I know what you mean Maw. We have both had the virus started on March 15th. I recovered in around a month DH still feeling the effects ( he has immune/lung issues prior to contracting virus) it’s been peaceful and given us time for recovery. Family have stood on drive and waved and brought us treats which has been lovely. I’m a little apprehensive now about going out for the first time. We’ve had delivery slots for food deliveries and newspapers delivered, ordered plants on line for delivery too. Think self isolating suits us in a way! Chin up Maw you are always a source of strength to quite a few of us❤️

Hoping to see DD in the garden this afternoon, first time for 10 weeks but other than that no desire to go rushing off anywhere. That 'all in it together' feeling has certainly slipped away and I think the age divide is becoming apparent. We were both used to going to clubs and out and about but I just can't picture it at present. We are going to have to arrange our own lockdowns now. I am pleased with the amount of technology I've got to grips with and yes there has been a lot more on line contact.

Maybe yes I can see exactly where you are coming from. I think there was a strong sense of all being in it together and although not everywhere a strong sense of community. I think a nice by product of the weekly clap was seeing neighbours,a distance chat etc which very important to those living alone. I have a friend who is widowed and who was happily attending MeetUp groups for coffee etc or going to the cinema and of course that has all disappeared and she is feeling quite lonely at times. I also heard people express concern that as people return to work a lot of volunteers may also disappear. I live on my own but on the whole am happy with my own company. I must admit though that at the weekend a friend suggested a distanced meet up at her house for the 6 of us. For various reasons we decided not to. I love my friends dearly and I'm sure it is reciprocated but as I am high risk and they are not it did occur to me that in the future there maybe quite a few occasions I might miss out on.
Certainly at moment I think maybe the next month will be a time of wait and see and continuing to be sensible!

My mum, for whom I am full time carer, is in the very vulnerable category, so I will not be easing my own, personal lockdown any time soon.

In some ways the lockdown was a chance to slow down and reflect and it felt more peaceful generally ..a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you are a quieter sort of person this slower pace of life is definitely more preferable but of course the threat of the virus is never far from your mind. It does feel now as if there are people having mass gatherings and bbq’s in every garden! and if your family circle is very small this is amplified

We still need to be usimg social distance and mass in crowded places.I went to Doverdale last week early found a space were could keep social distancing

I don’t think many of us are heading off to hither and thither Maw. We’re all in much the same boat, except those of us with partners at least have someone to talk to during this difficult time. I’ll be glad to see my 92 year old mother tomorrow, but it’ll be difficult to not hug and kiss her.

Fair comment!
I haven’t seen any of the family since mid-March but in a funny way I have seen more of the two youngest grandchildren as youngest DD FaceTimes me every day somthat I can say hello to Otis, now 14 months and so that he recognises me and middle DD likewise so that I can read Flynn (4) a granny bedtime story, (having learned to turn the iPad camera round to show the pictures while I peer round it to read the words! ) So in a funny way I have seen more of them than ever!
Not a lot to complain about really. I think it was reading the GM thread where people seemed to be heading off hither and thither that made me feel left behind!

dragonfly Your comment about big girl's knickers made me chuckle and reminded me that another advantage of lockdown is that I can wear what I want - at least from the waist down because on Zoom people only see what I'm wearing on the top half.

mawB i saw my daughter for an hour this morning for the first time. I felt nothing but apprehension prior to this and to be honest was glad to get in my car and come home. Although it was lovely to see her it felt so unnatural, no hugging or kissing, me with my own bottle of water, her wearing a mask 'just in case mum' chairs set out in the garden at required distance and her telling me not to touch the garden gate and of course no using the Loo!!!! I don't think this will be happening again for quite a while. I feel safer on the phone or texting her. Originally we were going to go for a walk, but as such a nice day felt it would mean encountering lots of others with the same idea.

I know what you mean maw B. I live alone and my social life used to consist of going out to groups and activities with much travelling to visit close friends and family, all of whom live over 100 miles away and so my social life now depends on technology. I live in a flat and in former times would simply decamp to one of the local parks to enjoy fine weather, but they are now so crowded that I stopped doing that.

It does feel a bit them and us but on the other hand I have plenty of like minded friends who prefer to truck on as before and who think the lockdown has been eased too early. I'm not sheilding but I am 71. All my shopping has been delivered.

A friend who has a lovely garden has declined to invite friends who suggested they should come to see her. She said to me that this is analagous to a sexual disease in that if when you start to sleep with someone you are effectively sleeping with everyone they have ever slept with, when you meet someone now you risk coming into contact with all the other people they have met.

I feel quite content having decided to just carry on as before and hope that those breaking out of lockdown stay safe.

I have just made my second 10 minute walk to the postbox since the middle of March. I wonder whether I shall ever feel confident to use a bus or taxi again. I’m coping and content but missing my children and their children who live 100 miles away.

I agree that we each need to assess the risk to ourselves and be sensible. The country is not going to be a safer place just because restrictions are about to be lifted, quite the contrary. Judging by the horrific scenes on Dorset beaches, and elsewhere no doubt, many people are not at all capable of being sensible and are putting themselves and others at risk, especially the emergency services.

I shall continue with the precautions for as long as I think it's necessary. In fact, I have always washed my hands as soon as I came in, and wiped down my shopping. To me, it seems the sensible thing to do anyway.
Many people are not clean in their personal habits and touching door handles etc. is an obvious way to pick up germs and viruses.

I think I know what you mean Maw. I’ve lived alone for over 25 years. When life was ‘normal’ I would go out to various groups, walk with friends, see family occasionally. However I did spend a lot of time on my own and because of this I always preferred the Autumn and Winter when it’s not so obvious that I’m not out there having fun. This glorious Spring has been such a bonus as there hasn’t been family or friend groups out and about, highlighting my solitary state.

I’m content with my life, it was my decision to end my marriage and stay single so have no regrets, I’m just feeling happy that for a few short weeks I didn’t feel the odd one out.

I am delighted though that there is some lifting of restrictions. I’m not such a grump that I begrudge people getting back their lives, even in a limited way.

You have voiced exactly what I am feeling Maw.

I will not, nor should be going out for the foreseeable future. I cannot see my children or grandchildren even if it is allowed as they live some distance from me and are also being careful about going out.

I will not be having 6 friends or family in to spend time in the garden as I am shielding but would not anyway as I think it is too soon.

I was feeling down about all this but like you have pulled up my big girl's knickers and will just get on with it. It can't go on for ever can it ?????

Maw
Of course you’re lonely. You lost Paw and managed really well with making a new life for yourself pre lockdown, and now it’s probably difficult to see much future, because the life you had, films, galleries, theatre visits is no more, and we don’t know when they’ll return. Even when they do, will any of us older people feel comfortable going to them? It’s easier for those of us who have partners, and whose children live reasonably nearby. We still have visits, albeit over the garden wall.
Could you arrange to meet a friend or neighbour in their garden? Or a park? Just to have a chat and then a coffee. Or visit your family because you can drive now? With this lovely weather we can at least meet family in the garden.

I too know what you mean, Maw. Seeing everyone starting to get on with life, only serves to reinforce that I still won't be able to socialise anytime soon. It does get quite lonely at times and I'm a social animal.

However, I have enjoyed the fact that I'm no longer obligated to say Yes to every request for help by family and friends and that I have a legitimate excuse to say No!

Does that sound very selfish? For the first time in years, I can think of my own wellbeing, without feeling guilty. I am enjoying this much slower pace of life,so much.