[News] Life in Lockdown: which bits do you quite like?

[AmexRuislip]

I have to admit, after 3 weeks in Lockdown (albeit a very British type of 'open prison' Lockdown), there are certain apects of this new stripped-back lifestyle I quite enjoy. For a start the complete lack of anywhere to go and anything to do brings a wholes new simplicity to life that is quite refreshing. The pace of life has fallen off a cliff, with a focus on living more in the moment as opposed to '...right. What's next?' And of course, the lack of traffic on the roads is a complete tonic. And finally there is a real sense of a shared purpose that has galvanised the whole country in a way that really didn't seem possible after the chasm wrought by Brexit and the associated fallout.

Of course, it will be good to get the other side of this and to see the country get back on it's feet. But I reckon there will be elements of life in Lockdown I'll look back on in years to come with a certain degree of wistful nostalgia. It's not all bad.

Outside on our road, there haven't been the usual retards riding their scooters in the dead of night - it's been very peaceful since the curfew.
No one bumping into you when they're on their mobile phones.
I can get home quicker in the mornings off nights.

 

[Petunia]

Catching up with my new friends...

 

[Notters]

How is your 3 year old not bothering you all the time? I have a 2 year old who thinks “dads home therefore it’s play time” at all times.

Yep it's a nightmare here. Constant screaming from both of them. People without kids have no idea.

 

[Notters]

Storrington, one of the worst air polluted places in the South East of England due to vehicles rat running through the Village, has suddenly become a far more pleasant place to wander about...

Not remotely true I'm afraid. If you were to narrow it down to villages in West Sussex you might have a point. Only one of the air quality monitoring locations in the village is recording exceedances of the Air Quality Objective and it's not at a location with relevant exposure (I. E. Where people live) and is therefore meaningless.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Being a stay at home Dad.

Since our eldest was born I’ve been the ‘breadwinner’ working long hours and the other half has been at home with the kids. She got a part time job at Waitrose last year and is now working more hours due to the high demand while I’ve been put on Furlough so am now with the children full time and taking care of home schooling.

It is obviously hard work but I must say I’m loving it.

 

[SK1NT]

How is your 3 year old not bothering you all the time? I have a 2 year old who thinks “dads home therefore it’s play time” at all times.

He use to just bang on the door and shout daddy... but he has got use to the timings now and i spend my lunch and after work with him. Plus my misses is quite good at keeping him occupied and if all that fails... peppa pig or netflix (school of roars)

 

[NorthstandRacoon]

I have to admit, after 3 weeks in Lockdown (albeit a very British type of 'open prison' Lockdown), there are certain apects of this new stripped-back lifestyle I quite enjoy. For a start the complete lack of anywhere to go and anything to do brings a wholes new simplicity to life that is quite refreshing. The pace of life has fallen off a cliff, with a focus on living more in the moment as opposed to '...right. What's next?' And of course, the lack of traffic on the roads is a complete tonic. And finally there is a real sense of a shared purpose that has galvanised the whole country in a way that really didn't seem possible after the chasm wrought by Brexit and the associated fallout.

Of course, it will be good to get the other side of this and to see the country get back on it's feet. But I reckon there will be elements of life in Lockdown I'll look back on in years to come with a certain degree of wistful nostalgia. It's not all bad.

Great thread. Agree with all of this.

But I am missing socialising immensely, drinking in the sun on the beach and at the football and especially missing sports and going regularly to the gym, soon to change with a new fitness regime though.

My thoughts however, are also with those on the frontline battling this horrible disease. They are the real heroes finding this time particularly hard and they should be held in unlimited high regard once this is over.

I think this will make us appreciate those who work in the jobs that really keep our society turning over day by day. I think it'll also bring a complete change in policy towards the NHS from the current Government, if they don't, they'll be out come the next elections.

I think the comment regarding a change in our outlook on life, ie socialist etc is a very real possibility. I am also feeling a sense of pride again in being English/British, not that I ever didn't, but the last 4 years have hardly been a celebration for us have they?! We are a country pulling together again alongside everyone else in the world and thats a great feeling.

I still want it over ASAP though otherwise things may get worse financially for a lot of us and more people will die, especially if those selfish few keep on taking the piss sunbathing outdoors and not following the rules ie exercise and essential travel only outside of their homes!

 

[BN41Albion]

Psychologically.

If you can't be bothered going out, you don't worry that you might be missing out on something by staying in. That's quite calming and relaxing.

That's it for me, too. The calm by being in, but not feeling like I should be doing something /might be missing out on something. Very relaxing.

For me also eating really well and saving a lot of money. No temptation to grab a takeaway/meal out at the weekend. No money spent down the pub or cinema/theatre and for petrol etc.
Feel very lucky to have a nice garden during this, especially with how sunny it's been pretty much since lockdown started. I swear there's more wildlife about. Saw a fox in the middle of the afternoon wandering about the other day too. Never seen that before.

I really feel for those going through a tough time with this, and certainly not getting too comfortable and taking care when I go to the shop etc, but I really hope this makes a lot of people realise what's important in life and that so many things some used to stress about in work/life are completely superficial. I'm a bit pessimistic on that front though; I have a feeling that give it a few months after this is over and most will be back to their old habits... We'll see.

 

[Norman Potting]

Nothing. I want to see my family - in real life, not on Skype or on the phone. My grandson could be walking before I see him again! I'd like to drive for ten minutes up to the top of the Cotswolds and admire the view and watch the sun go down.


I'd like a hug too ...........................................

https://images.app.goo.gl/b9BnyumPd2chtMMT8

Hope this mainly platonic one will help

 

[El Presidente]

With fewer aircraft flying and polluting, the sky is much bluer.

 

[pearl]

Yep it's a nightmare here. Constant screaming from both of them. People without kids have no idea.

I do, I can hear next doors little boys and now the builders have arrived they are freaking out with excitement


I'm not enjoying the lockdown at all. Can't remember when I last had a face to face conversation with anyone

I do like hearing the birds sing though, they seem to sing all day and most of the night atm

 

[darkwolf666]

Nothing. I want to see my family - in real life, not on Skype or on the phone. My grandson could be walking before I see him again! I'd like to drive for ten minutes up to the top of the Cotswolds and admire the view and watch the sun go down.


I'd like a hug too ...........................................

couldn't find a hug emoji, so hopefully this will suffice

 

[Is it PotG?]

Gives you a chance to take up new hobbies, painting amongst them.

 

[Stat Brother]

The countries in lockdown and Stat World hasn't really changed.

Giving some indication as to just how depressing it is Stat World.

 

[DJ NOBO]

It’s saving me 12 hours a week sitting in a car, and the costs that come with it.
I have time to exercise every day and can still work.
I can see my family, with far more quality time.
The air is cleaner.
I feel less stressed and more healthy.
Everyone seems to appreciate things more and are more friendly.
Not having football on the telly has made me realise I am a slave to it, and it’s not all that .( I miss days out at the Amex though).
For my own perspective, I am loving the lockdown.
I hope when this is over, some elements are kept and society changes.

 

[Sorrel]

I've done lots of walks down quiet country lanes that previously used to have far more cars on them. There are still the occasional car (and some speeding madly) but in general there are a lot fewer. I walked a whole mile along a road in West Sussex last weekend without seeing a car at all - all so very quiet and lovely. I will certainly miss that.

I very much enjoy the lack of aeroplanes, too. So much quieter Indeed, the quiet and the resurgent birdsong is quite a theme of these weeks for me.

It would be nice if after this we could have a Sunday back again and not travel, stay in the local area and have some peace and quiet. It would be a good green policy too. But it's unrealistic because the economy relies on people moving around and doing things. We can't force people to enjoy the peace and quiet (except for these few weeks).

 

[Stat Brother]

I've done lots of walks down quiet country lanes that previously used to have far more cars on them. There are still the occasional car (and some speeding madly) but in general there are a lot fewer. I walked a whole mile along a road in West Sussex last weekend without seeing a car at all - all so very quiet and lovely. I will certainly miss that.

I very much enjoy the lack of aeroplanes, too. So much quieter Indeed, the quiet and the resurgent birdsong is quite a theme of these weeks for me.

It would be nice if after this we could have a Sunday back again and not travel, stay in the local area and have some peace and quiet. It would be a good green policy too. But it's unrealistic because the economy relies on people moving around and doing things. We can't force people to enjoy the peace and quiet (except for these few weeks).

Careful now, you're beginning to sound like a cyclist.

 

[Sorrel]

Careful now, you're beginning to sound like a cyclist.

Actually seen far fewer cyclists over the last week, too. There were lots at the start, but they seem to have tailed off (or maybe I've been getting better at cutting back into the footpaths away from them).

I've also enjoyed people being friendlier. I was worried that farmers might be a bit touchy/nervous and so have planned my walks around avoiding fields with livestock and/or gates I would need to open/climb, but in fact almost everyone has been very friendly.

 

[Bold Seagull]

It’s saving me 12 hours a week sitting in a car, and the costs that come with it.
I have time to exercise every day and can still work.
I can see my family, with far more quality time.
The air is cleaner.
I feel less stressed and more healthy.
Everyone seems to appreciate things more and are more friendly.
Not having football on the telly has made me realise I am a slave to it, and it’s not all that .( I miss days out at the Amex though).
For my own perspective, I am loving the lockdown.
I hope when this is over, some elements are kept and society changes.

Hear hear.

 

[Simster]

Good thread.

I consider myself extremely fortunate in that our household is relatively harmonious owing to having sufficed space for us all to be able to have time alone but also the will to be together. Also that I am WFH on full pay and like Pavilionnaire, I also have a big fully powered cabin at the bottom of the garden from where I work. My eldest is in his A level year and had worked hard and was predicted good grades, so no exams has taken away an aspect of worry from the family.

Without some of these things, I'd find the whole experience far less bearable and my heart goes out to so many people less fortunate than me who must struggle with this new normal. It is why it makes me angry seeing the privileged like Stanley Johnson or Prince Charles ignorantly flouting the rules as if they should only apply to the ordinaries.