Got used to this casual way of living

I live by myself and on the whole pre corona that suited me but there were lonely times. But now I have fewer lonely days simply because I feel we’re all going through this globally.

I’m on several WhatsApp groups which are fun. My book club meets now on Zoom and with a group of friends we read plays Zoomly.
I’m very grateful to be living in a ground floor flat with a garden. Basically I’ve gardened throughout.
None of my close family or friends have died so far - some friends have long covid - so I’m thankful.
Actually I’m impressed by couples managing this closed in existence together.
Like many here I’ve enjoyed the lack of pressure from the sometimes over-demanding outside world. I’ve spent days just learning embroidery or painting - basically “playing”.

The doom laden bit is our future - unemployment, inflation (Brexit and the US stimulus package) and these terrible Tories still in power despite such corruption.

I loved it to start with. It was a chance to step off what felt like a treadmill for a while. The sense of 'well tomorrow will be fine' was a release. We got a skip and achieved some of the list.
I still enjoy it to a point but there is a different sense.
Sometime time has filled up again - I'm not playing much bridge and I now walk every day with two dogs I'm looking after. Without long evenings I find my day flies.

The issue is still being myself - time is not my only issued. It's motivation and 'get up and go' for certain tasks.
Plus there is now a sense of a deadline ahead to get moving.

Overall, I've been fortunate enough not to suffer financially in lockdown which has meant it's a welcome step back

Erica23 I think I've also gone a bit reclusive as I don't really want to go anywhere. I'm quite happy to potter about the garden and do my own thing at my own pace. Of course I miss my daughter and Grandchildren but I don't feel the need to rush about shopping or anything else now.

It has certainly given me time to think and reassess how to live my life more comfortably and I miss my children and grandchildren. BUT I know they are safe in their homes; I am safe in my home; I have never run short of food or medication; and I have had my first vaccination. But the almost unimaginable suffering of refugees; people living in war-torn countries; people living in countries where there is no NHS or affordable health care; the homeless etc. etc. makes me pause before thinking I am hard done by. Their lives were already incredibly difficult and full of death and suffering of their loved ones, and Covid 19 (and the government reducing overseas aid) has added enormously to their problems. The ONLY difference between them and me is that they were born in a different place from where I was born.

Cup of tea and move away from it all ..then one step at a time. Sorry to hear tears rolling, it is hard and we do sometimes forget.

I have seen lots of advantages..saving on travelling time, saving on time getting ready in the morning etc....but now realise that I can' t really do much with it. A bit fed up as I still can' t see the light at the end of the tunnel ....vaccines ok, but what about all the possible new highly contagious variants?

no, definitely NO!
just had census form through, new water bill
gas and elec.. and whereas I used to , well quite
enjoy doing paperwork, now I just cannot cope,
tears rolling down... just so tired with it all.

From reading the comments it seems that it takes a year to 'get used to' a new way of living which brings to mind some of the questions on here about retirement, not working or moving away from friends and family. It takes a year, give yourself the time to reflect, to settle in to a new way of living and go easy on yourself. Bit like new slippers or denim jeans. It takes a year......

As someone with numerous illnesses and conditions - which BTW I live a great life with - being at home most of the time, and doing far less has been a HUGE benefit to my health.

I for one do not plan to return to running around every day 24/7, and especially not running around after demanding friends who are 100% healthy.

This is the life for me!

No- I am really fed up. I want my life back. I have to spend most days indoors apart from daily walk & visits to supermarkets (which is an event to look forward now!)
DH is working from home & he spends all day in his study with the door shut just emerging for coffee every now & then. There is only so much house work you can do & it is still just a bit too early to start gardening although I have done some bits. I cannot seem to motivate myself to do much else. I watch a lot of afternoon TV- thank heavens for Netflix! I can't wait for it all to be over so I can go out with friends again, go to yoga & art classes & get my life back.

The only thing I miss is seeing friends for a lunch or a show. Everything else is just my normal life that I lead anyway. I live alone, well with my dog lol, and I live a pretty much quiet life anyway.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I hate this lock down. Not seeing friends, no swimming (swam 3 times a week) feel a mess with hair needing a cut, putting on weight. Sick of doing the same walks
Am I depressed - think I need to give myself a kick.

I've lived alone pretty much since my youngest went to uni in 2010, but I was working and had a fairly busy life with singing in a choir, singing at church, volunteering and various social gatherings. If I had an evening in during the week it was a treat! Although I apreciate 'alone time' you can have too much of a good thing! My adult children live a long distance away so I'm used to seeing them infrequently, but Christmas alone was a new experience that I would prefer not to have had. Also becoming a granny during lockdown then spending a brief few days with him in Germany was a delight that was cut short far too soon with lockdown introduced there.
I think I've coped better than some as I have joined a number of regular social zooms and my AC are in touch frequently, but none of it is the way I'd imagined my retirement which started in October. I long to sing again and obviously see my family in person but some things I miss less as time goes on. I like the slower pace of life as I was often too busy, and probably will be again as restrictions are removed, but hopefully I'll find a new balance. The volunteering will increase as some things start up again, though I've found one volunteering role with the local foodbank which gets me out occasionally and has allowed me to make new friends.
I've also enjoyed pottering in the garden which I rarely had time for before. It is now a bit more presentable and fit to invite people into when it is allowed. How I will enjoy inviting someone round for a coffee, or maybe something stronger. I've made fruit flavoured gins during lockdown and need to share them, though I've got through some by myself and given some away as gifts!

Sick to death of the lockdown now all I want is a meal planned and cooked by someone else.

I've had enough of it now,have no energy to do anything
I just want some normality back,but then I need the confidence to go out and do things again

I am mostly housebound anyone so have had a bit of practice at this ?. One thing I have found is that knowing no one else is out and about I haven’t felt like I’m missing out on things the same......

I miss going places and doing things, but find there are some people I just don't miss at all.

Scribbles and Galaxy you have summed it up precisely for me.

I retired a couple of years ago, was looking forward to doing so much before I became incapable in later life, and feel that a huge slice of 'capable' life has been denied me. I really feel I've deteriorated physically and mentally because of lockdown and will never get that time back.
I don't feel lockdown prevented our whole household from getting covid and look back and wonder why we bothered complying with all the rules. It did us no good.

No never will never get use to feeling trapped

I was OK up until October and have found winter an unending bind. I miss holidays, family, cinema, meeting up with friends, hairdressers, everything really. We've started going a bit further afield to shop (7 rural miles). Still wondering if we'll be allowed to go to Scotland on 9 June, our first holiday in 18 months. Having said all that, I do support lockdown but it has to end sometime soon.

I didn’t go anywhere much before lockdown, I do miss seeing family, and being able to drive into the nearest town for a browse and a coffee. I miss my book club and the twice monthly social group. Not very social, but it gave something to look forward to, and broke the days up a bit. I have spent the majority of the last year by myself, and am beginning to get thoroughly fed up, not so much of being alone, but the monotony of it all. I think the weather is contributing to that too, as I don’t like Winter at the best of times. I shall be glad for a return to more normal routines

Completely agree with you Overthehill

I find life is much slower and the need to get things done has made way for me to do things I want to do.

Less appointments to keep. Less meetings (feeling obliged) to go to. Practically no ironing. Less washing - I am no less cleaner but instead of washing after one wear I evaluate does it need washing where as I used to automatically wash.

I enjoy sit down chats with my DH about nothing as opposed to finding time to remember to pass on messages.

I miss my grandchildren and my daughters immensely. That is the one area I find so difficult.

Best friends have kept in touch with video calls without having to ‘dress up / hair/ makeup/ drive/ spend money’ and we have just as good a conversation / laugh over a coffee (and regulatory biscuit) saving on so much time we actually have more time to chat - and can do some jobs whilst chatting. My best chicken pie was made by suggestions from friend while we chatted and I cooked.

Biscuitmuncher and GrannyRose have you really spent the past year in a rage?

None of this is fun for any of us, even those who like a quieter life, but I'm curious about the rage.

I sometimes wake up and say out loud 'Oh, I'm fed-up!' but then just get on with the day.

We're homebodies anyway. For DH I suppose not going to the office has been a big change and for me not having the house to myself at all!