What have you learned from this year?

I have had it reinforced that the simple life I lead included those really important to me and was all I ever needed. I look forward to its imminent return. Being alone has not been all bad but choice company is king.

My, I am so glad so many have had positive experiences. All I have learned in the last year is how easily and how quickly some people were turned into proper N a z i's. They havent stopped yet.

That I agree totally with chase in. But am surprised that several people have come down heavy on his/her comments but not many on buylocals. I’ve learned that it’s incredibly easy to gaslight people. And that really frightens me.

I can live with very less. Fewer things, fewer outings and fewer people(came as a surprise!).

Maybe people are just lonely? I work for a charity that supports people who are struggling and even before covid, loneliness was a huge problem in this country. It was something we were told to identify so that we could intervene and help those we were supporting have other avenues for interests and company. It's worth considering people behave in ways that aren't familiar to you because they are isolated or even unhappy. At the moment that must apply to many more people now we are staying at home and in some cases frightened.

HurdyGurdy ....

Harmonypuss - "What I've learned this year is that some people have nothing better to do than to start ridiculous chat threads on social media."

And some have nothing better to do that post snidey uncalled for comments on those threads.

This particular thread wasn't the one I was bitching about and I didn't post 'on' those that I mentioned, they're just a pointless waste of time, no better than someone photographing every item of food they eat and displaying pics on social media...why? Who wants to know what someone has had to eat? They've clearly got such empty lives they don't have anything better to do!

Janiepops

Esspee, Haha?, so true!

Gwyneth, Thankyou for saying that, so flipping true, ?

Buylocal, true,but, genuine question here.....isn’t it us,the buying public that cause the waste in supermarkets? By not buying the substandard goods, misshapen or soily veg? Back in the day,before self service, the shopkeeper would always put one substandard produce in your bag, one bruised apple, one split tomato, but now,we pick our own we pick perfect, so taken overall, the supermarkets take a MASSIVE hit with unbought produce. Am I naive here? Feel free to tell me .....???‍♀️

Yes, Janiepops, the buying public is partly to blame, but I also tire of hearing 'consumer demand' from big business as though they have no part in what the consumer is encouraged to 'demand'. Supermarkets make money by squeezing the life out of producers and that leads directly to things like the situation last year where the fruit farmers were wondering where on earth they would find fruit pickers when the pandemic restricted movements of the usual teams of Eastern Europeans. Thousands of Brits applied for those jobs, but when they saw the Ts and Cs they were offered, of course they declined. If farmers would/ could join together in not playing the Supermarkets' game, surely the SMs would have to change their strategy. I don't use supermarkets. And, I still spend less than the average family on food per week because I have zero waste.

I've learnt that I like time on my own and not having to go anywhere, and not having anyone to come for meals etc. Not depressed just seeing life anew. ?

Harmonypuss - "What I've learned this year is that some people have nothing better to do than to start ridiculous chat threads on social media."

And some have nothing better to do that post snidey uncalled for comments on those threads.

reading some of these posts

and re considering..

I have learnt to be grateful, and thank God for what I have..

there are so many people much worse of than I am.

I have learnt that I need to say no more, that for a long time I have been going to activities that I really dont want to.

I have learned many of the things already mentioned.
However on a different tack, I have learned a lot about my DH having spent so much time with him.
I’ve also learned that I don’t have to beat myself up because I ‘m not fond of my MIL and don’t particularly enjoy her company . Only taken me nearly 50 years.

There is a lot of good people about .
That some ?? Celebrities are very selfish and stupid at times "
I am lucky to have a hubby who I can be with for long periods and can rely on .
I miss cuddles from family .

JaneJudge hindsight is a great thing!

god I have told you three time it is shallow so I must really think it is shallow and it must be shallow

Mine is incredibly shallow but I volunteer anyway prior to this but I have learned that if you are going to go out/go away make it worthwhile and something you will enjoy and with people you want to spend company with. The last time I went out (in all seriousness) was the 22nd February last year to see a comedian I LOVE but I booked a premier inn and I wished I'd have booked a really nice hotel and gone for a nice meal instead of some tapas in a pub! Told you it was shallow! I was with someone I love though. Told you it was shallow

That I have the internal recourses to manage on my own but also that DH and I have enjoyed just being together. We have had some good laughs .

At 63, and medically retired with numerous illnesses I have learned that it has been the best thing ever for my health - to be at home all the time.

I used to running around 24/7 - and a lot of it after others far more able than me - not any more.

My lifestyle has changed for ever, and I feel SO much better for it.

Gwyneth....

If you don't like people's political views do as I do.... Ignore them!

What I've learned this year is that some people have nothing better to do than to start ridiculous chat threads on social media.

Why does the world need to know that someone is so illiterate as far as online shopping goes as to have ordered 22 of something instead of 2? They're clearly stupid, so why tell the world about it? It serves them right if they can't be bothered to check their order before hitting the 'confirm' button.

Why do people feel the need to tell everyone that they're planning a meal with family members they see every few days, asking whether it's allowed? If they're seeing those people because they're in a bubble then just damn well do it, don't rub it in to all those who haven't seen their loved ones and can't, that's just bragging!

This only being 1st February I haven't had much time to learn anything much yet, except that there are still old fashioned consultants who are rude and who don't care whether their patients have a chance to ask questions or not.

This surprised me, as I thought that breed had died out.

If the question meant what we have learned during lockdown, then I am afraid the answer must be that there are a lot of very selfish people about who are not obeying the rules.

The lockdown hasn't really made a difference to us, as we were retired and living quietly before it started and had re-evaluated our lifestyle upon retirement.

Esspee, Haha?, so true!

Gwyneth, Thankyou for saying that, so flipping true, ?

Buylocal, true,but, genuine question here.....isn’t it us,the buying public that cause the waste in supermarkets? By not buying the substandard goods, misshapen or soily veg? Back in the day,before self service, the shopkeeper would always put one substandard produce in your bag, one bruised apple, one split tomato, but now,we pick our own we pick perfect, so taken overall, the supermarkets take a MASSIVE hit with unbought produce. Am I naive here? Feel free to tell me .....???‍♀️

I’ve learned that kindness from total strangers still exists .
That life is for living .
That time lost is truly lost .
That the majority of people want to do the right thing.
That celebrities don’t think the rules apply to them.
That my family is more precious to me than anything.

Like Washerwoman I have found that my husband is a great person with whom to share lockdown. We have found something to laugh about every day, and we have both shown our appreciation of each other. We also appreciate very much the family support we have received.

I have also some to realise that material things that I thought I
needed, I just didn’t, that it wasn’t the end of the world if I didn’t have my hair cut every six weeks.

That a very large number of people bend the Covidrules to apply to their own circumstances.

That people can rise to the occasion in troubled times.

That no matter how many zoom calls, Facetimes, emails, WhatsApp, phone calls, nothing can replace a good old fashioned hug.

I’m really enjoying this thread thank you ineedamum !
It’s very reassuring .
I have learnt that I love being outdoors even in the rain.
That weeks seem to go a lot faster when I am not busy rushing from one event to another..
Zoom, FaceTime and Teams have been a godsend.
Who my real friends are.
That I have a lovely family who support each other

Gosh, Lettice! Same here!