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

mandy47

I've learnt that most of my neighbours totally ignored the rules and advice surrounding covid.
After shielding during each lockdown due to my heath issues I found out who my real friends are. 
I discovered that many of my colleagues enjoyed parties together all through lockdown.
All in all I've learnt that there are some very selfish irresponsible people but there are also some very kind, helpful and good hearted people. 

littlemoney

I learnt

1.I have acquaintances not friends.

2.The one person I can rely upon is myself and if people offer to help they don't really mean it as they hope you will never ask.

VJsmum

littlemoney said:

I learnt

1.I have acquaintances not friends.

2.The one person I can rely upon is myself and if people offer to help they don't really mean it as they hope you will never ask.

Oh littlemoney, that is a sad post - i'm sorry you were let down.

lucyhope

Local businesses aren't as expensive as I thought and their customer service is second to none

Happy_Sloth

littlemoney said:

I learnt

1.I have acquaintances not friends.

2.The one person I can rely upon is myself and if people offer to help they don't really mean it as they hope you will never ask.

Oh dear this is very sad,  i know the feeling i spent a good deal of my adult life being let down by people i called friends.  I got quite cynical and it's taken me along time to pull myself out of the mire.   

However i do now have the most amazing friends,  two ladies who didn't really know me that well but noticed i was struggling and offered to help.  Through lockdown they made sure I was ok and I'm now very grateful for their friendship. 

balabooberlies

littlemoney said:

I learnt

1.I have acquaintances not friends.

2.The one person I can rely upon is myself and if people offer to help they don't really mean it as they hope you will never ask.

Little Money

the thought I use to comfort myself is that nothing stays the same forever.  I wish you good friends.......

bala

LameWolf

littlemoney said:

2.The one person I can rely upon is myself and if people offer to help they don't really mean it as they hope you will never ask.

I knew that already; sorry you've had to find it out.

Nargleblast

littlemoney, it has always been the case that you should always look after yourself first because if you don't then you're neither use nor ornament to anyone else. Don't feel down about it. You have had a valuable opportunity to learn an important lesson, and important life lessons should be welcomed and celebrated. You will now be a stronger and wiser person for it, and your life will be so much better from now because of that new found wisdom.

Toonie

I learnt that having a store cupboard, no matter how large or well stocked, is a useful thing and I was glad to have it. That includes having a stock of certain pain killers which are useful (chronic pain sufferer here).

I learnt that my partner and I can spend a lot of time in each others company without doing the other one in (very useful to know as we'd only been living together for 9 months when lockdown hit).

I learnt that people really appreciate it when you check in. An elderly acquaintance from my local pub was worried what was going to happen. I gave him mine and my partners numbers and said if you need anything, just ask. One of us went round regularly to help him get rid of his rubbish/recycling and carry his shopping upstairs and when restrictions allowed it, we stopped for a chat.

MrsStepford

Great thread idea !
Positive

• It's been great having my husband working from home 90% of the time and he's been told by company that it's been such a success that they can continue even after the pandemic.
• I'm doing an online interior design course which I saved 75% on by buying from Matalan
• I have read more than 40 books so far this year via my monthly Kindle Unlimited subscription 
• Robins nested in our garden as we didn't use it
• I'm learning to play chess
• Keeping my French less rusty by listeing to France Bleu Azur and Radio Six Calais
• Bought soupmaker, which is great
• Given up drinking Pepsi Max/Diet Coke
• Tried new things like Lithuanian chocolate, Polish sparkling water, Latvian smoked sprats
• Thursday night we watch movies and we have two nights per week to do our own thing
• We are watching more history, architecture, antiques, property and engineering shows
• I'm doing well on family tree and discovered a cousin
• Husband gave up smoking and has cut down on beer
• Bought slow cooker which is great
• Got a brand new car
• Sorted stuff to eBay
• Donated food to food bank

Negative

• I had no idea husband drank that much tea during the day ! I'm buying 3 x 4pints milk per week. 
• I should have bought fewer loo rolls and more tinned tomatoes
• Bought yogurt maker for husband but he hasn't used it yet
• I have had real problems getting bell peppers over the winter
• Bought hand exercisers, using them but not feeling benefit yet
• My garden was devastated by Storm Ciara and I haven't done anything about it yet
• We had holiday booked and paid for, first week of lockdown and didn't get a penny out of Sykes Cottages
• Bought an exercise bike and haven't used it
• Discovered that my birth mother is alive, wrote to her and she ignored me