Best Thing You’ve Discovered In Lockdown

WelshBristolian

At the grand old age of 25 and living away from home since I was 18, I've finally had the spare time to put some effort into learning how to cook meals from scratch rather than being the microwave magician that I was!

Phlanger

fatbelly said:

A network of footpaths where I live. Been there 20 years and never knew they existed.

I think that's probably really helpful to maintain your sanity during lockdown. Sometimes I just go for a drive to get out of the house. Being cooped up is definitely not for me and it's gotten more challenging as I'm running out of entertainment/shows to watch. Getting outside to get some fresh air and be in nature, even for a short time, is very helpful. 

JackR09

The importance of relationships you cherish!

WoozieSioux_tse

2 things actually:
1. Realising that I made the right decision removing my children from school early last February and home-schooling them. I didn't do it for Covid, but because they just weren't learning in school. I contacted the elective home education department of the council and they were super helpful. They understood that particularly when they are so young, it was important for them to be interested in lots of things and to recognise different opportunities. Both were approximately 18 months ahead of their peers (probably more now) and home educating has allowed us to spend more time doing things like baking, regular P.E, learning about British history, learning about different countries, foreign languages and learning to play musical instruments.
Unlike the majority though, we're extremely lucky in that I don't currently have to work (although I would like to go back to bump up my pension) as my husband earns enough for us to toddle along without worrying about paying for essentials or the odd disaster. 

2.Going back to language learning. Started learning Spanish, so I could help teach my daughter. Forgot how much I enjoyed learning foreign languages- have also gone back to French (for my son), which I hadn't studied since college. 

hello007007

What a lovely thread. I enjoyed reading it.

After spending most of my life suffering from ill health like severe depression, I have learnt I want to enjoy life and I want to do things. I realised life is too short and I dont want to be dead.

I have loved spending time with my family and I want to spend more time doing things with them. When things are back to 'normal', we will do an enjoyable family activity regularly - the kids want rock climbing lessons.

Before the pandemic, I would have said such an activity was too expensive (family of 6 - 1 baby so 4 doing the activity) and we couldn't afford it, now I feel like the time spent with my children and the memories we make are worth it.

I have learnt money should not hinger the beautiful time I have with my precious children. Money is nothing to me compared to them.

Also I am just started to learn a language. After months of thinking I couldn't do it as I wasn't intelligent enough, I am enjoying it and want to carry on even when its hard. I hope I dont stop.

I have started to spent money on my home so I can enjoy it and feel proud of where I live. I am getting it painted, hope to declutter and replace some dated items. The spend is shocking but I feel rather relaxed about it because I have come to realise how important it is to be in a calming environment and also how much time we spend at home. I view it a good investment.

For me, its taken months to get to this stage. I needed all this time. The whole year to slowly start making changes, probably because I have had depression and such issues for nearly 20 years.

I almost forgot, I rediscovered how nice fruit tastes. When the kids were young we couldnt afford it. I only realised how fortunate I am to have access to clean, fresh friut when the supermarkets struggled to stock it and it wasn't so accessible. Sounds silly but in that period when the option to buy it was taken away from me I wanted to eat fruit. Now i don't care how much it costs as is healthier then chocolate and biscuits and I've learnt it tastes yummy. The kids have started to eat it regularly too.

I am starting to think about losing weight and getting fitter. I hope to tackle that once the house is done.

Life is precious, making memories, doing nice things, investment in myself and my family- thats what I have learnt. The pandemic has changed my life for the better.

WoozieSioux_tse

Investing in yourself is really important. I did a little experiment many years ago- I put make-up on every single day before I left the house. The difference in the way I got treated was considerable (and sadly, I got treated better when I was wearing make-up, but I'm not really into appearance so I only managed six months!). The point being though, if you do take a bit more pride and commitment in yourself, people seem to realise that you are worthwhile and you get treated better. I guess most people don't realise they are even doing this. And as your positivity increases, it glows out of you. Who wouldn't rather be around a radiator than a drain?

So good for you hello007007 and let's hope you get to go rock-climbing by the summer!

Another great thing I've discovered in lockdown, the sense of community in my street. About twelve or fourteen houses particularly, we all look out for each other and are always ready for a (socially distanced) chat, or at the very least a wave. Makes you appreciate that true good hearted spirit is still alive....

Arthurian

I have discovered a live webcam site which shows scenes at African waterholes - Africam.  It's so peaceful, yet interesting.  Twice a day, Monday to Friday, they have live, hour-long, unscripted commentary by rangers who explain what you can see, why the animals might be acting in a certain way, what bird calls you can hear in the background, etc.   The rangers speak slowly and gently, and the animals slowly stroll around the waterholes, and it's a world away from Covid-19.

ReecesWaffle

Best thing I rediscovered was a good diet and exercise. Can’t be having those extra pounds with this virus flying about.

helpyhelper

I've actually worked more in lockdown as I've learnt not to be distracted

Anyanka1

I finally, finally had the courage (bloody-mindedness?) to try cooking something I did not know how to cook:  Sweet and Sour chicken... Yeah, all you cooks out there, I know it is a piece of, ahem, really easy but the point is, I did not know that beforehand.

If you think that is pathetic, I have also bought my first ever chip pan, of which I am terrified.  I have not actually used it yet, having relied on tasteless, dry-as-a-desert oven chips hitherto.  One day, I will find the courage to use it.  Any tips (without the sarcasm) would be gratefully received.