Learning from a year of Lockdowns. What did you learn or what would you have done differently?

GaleSF63

What have I learned? 

That sometimes if you put things off unnecessarily, then suddenly something unexpected happens and you can do nothing about it for another year!

Rosa_Damascena

My eyes were opened over the last year. I never realised that people could be so stupid or selfish in their reckless behaviour with regard to others.

However I also saw many many acts of kindness and sacrifice for the greater good. This pandemic brought out the best and the worst in us.

YBR

I learnt that I am very fortunate, privileged in many ways: a well paid job I can do from home, a husband who's not working and excellent at home schooling, a home with lots of space, stable internet, and enough devices! Also neighbours we get on with, parents who don't need too much looking after, generally good health (mental and physical), the list goes on. It's not been easy, but so much easier than it could have been. I am really aware that there are millions of people much worse off in miriad ways, some of which I haven't even thought of. I never thought before how many relatively well-off people were so vulnerable.

We've learnt about Zoom, learnt how to record and edit video and sound, how to stream/schedule church services and virtual toddler group on Facebook. Along with that we've picked up set dressing, lighting, stop-frame animation and such. Learnt that i'm hopeless at running tech and will either miss cues or forget to mute/unmute the microphone several times!

I've learnt the value of having a team working in an office with the opportunity to consult/vent while waiting for a kettle to boil, but that a good listener, and very few words at the right moment can be transformative whether by text, telephone, video or face to face.

Happycas

What have I learnt? That I am incredibly blessed. My DH, wonderful children and grandchildren keeping in tpuch( even though I can count on my fingers the number of times we've seen them in 15 months) a house with a garden,  caravan by the sea, knowing how to make, do and mend, local shops' deliveries - I could go on. I always knew I was lucky,of course, but this has really made me appreciate it.
My heart has ached many times for those less fortunate.

I've also learnt that if you don't go shopping, and out for coffee and cakes frequently, the bank balance improves.

That I miss being able to hug. When DD came home from hospital after a major op, and her partner had to return to work, I went round every day (permitted as looking after a vulnerable person) It was so hard sitting at opposite ends of the room unable to give her a hug.

What would I do differently? I really, really hope I never need to !

stellata

I've learned that my neighbours both sides are lovely people

Primrose

In many ways this pandemic has proved an odd blessing   It has taught people to evaluate the things in their lives that are really important, and I'm sure that many will be reassessing their lifestyles as a result.   If it means concentrating on simple values and ways of living that will be no bad thing.  However, we still have to keep the economy going and people in jobs.

Living relatively close to an airport, the lack of air traffic noise and pollution has been wonderful, especially being able to sit in the garden on a warm day and actually hear the birds singing without them being downed out, yet the tourism and aircraft industry has suffered horrendously as a result and a lot of airport workers have had to rely on our local foodbak as a result.   Quite how once balances all these things out I don't know.

Another thing I'm grateful for.   Not having been in Government and having to be responsible for all the Lockdown & Pandemic decisions which have had to be made.  I've no doubt that some of them have not necessaril always been the right thing for everybody, but it's easy to throw fuel onto the  bonfire when you don't have the responsibility for putting the subsequent fire out.   No government would probably ever ever got every decision completely right.  I'm just thankful right now that I don't live in India.

daz378

Never used to drink coffee at home before the pandemic   now at least 3 cups a day and 6  jars  on the shelf  for emergencies...in care work     helping clients  adjust    to the new environment  , rewarding  but at times challenging,  helps to have good rapport....bank balance been rising.....no pubs open...hopefully creating financial buffer zone

thriftwizard

@balabooberlies, your post really touched my heart! Not just what you did for your brother, which is lovely and so thoughtful, but also what your nephew said. 

balabooberlies

Thank You

However, love comes at a price.  My nephew has made me promise to buy him a Nintendo........when I win the lottery !

I have duly promised.  

[Deleted User]

We've learned that we can do a great deal more than we thought we could despite being in our 70's and that physically we're still able to keep the infrastructure of the house, garden and plots in good condition, supply much of the fresh fruit and veg we need from our own efforts (not all by any means but we've just finished the sacks of home grown spuds from the last harvest and have viable strings of onions still hanging in the shed) and have beds ready for this years planting in the garden and clear plots waiting on the allotments and a greenhouse full of this years seedlings waiting to go.  Onions, spuds and broad beans are already in and growing on and the raspberries, loganberries, blackberries, rhubarb (which is producing masses) are covered in flower buds and look to be promising a good crop, plum blossom is set and hopefully a good crop there to.  Wood stocks are going to be got in as soon as the adverts for firewood pop in to the local magazine too. All in all I think we're learning that a self sufficient mindset and some determination is getting us a better life than it might have been during the pandemic.