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

Primrose

I think it,s only now I,m starting to realise some of the longer term effects of this pandemic. We held a plant sale outdoors in our  village today.  First community event for 15 months and so many people turned up during the course of the event saying it was the first real event they,ve attended..  and it was I obvious  that  the health of a number of older people had declined quite rapidly while they,ve effectively been locked away at home.   It,s not possible to put the clock back and relive that lost time so we just have to move forward as positively as we can.   

I,m noticing that a lot of older people are starting to resign from organising roles in the various community and voluntary groups Ibelong to.  I suspect the stresses of the pandemic are catching up with them in various ways and they just don't want the pressures of "being relied on" any longer.

[Deleted User]

This morning I've realised just how much I've missed physical contact with my family, both eldest DD and her other half are now fully vaccinated and as she teaches she's on a lateral flow test twice weekly so knowing we're vaccinated too they brought our grnaddaughter over and came in and we had coffee in the lounge with all the windows open. I've been able to hug them for the first time since March last year and my wordy me that is the BEST feeling in the world, am currently bursting with happiness!

C_J

MrsStepford said:

• Discovered that my birth mother is alive, wrote to her and she ignored me 

Are you certain you have the correct address for her, MrsStepford? Maybe she didn’t reply because she has moved and didn’t get your letter. If it were me, I’d do some more research.

Primrose

Yes,possibly check the Electoral Roll too althiugh if somebody has something in their past they perhaps want to hide they may opt for no publicity  options.

Agentmomo

I bought a hot tub!
Years and years I have been on this site, always searching for advice, thrifty ways of living and I am a Debt free Wannabe, yet I bought a hot tub!!

And do you know what, it was the best purchase ever...

I knew back in March 2020 when Boris first locked us all down that this was not going to go away quickly (and it didn't / hasn't). So I did it, that very night after his announcement, I went online and I bought one, something I have always wanted.

Good job I did it that night as they are nearly double the price now.
It arrived 2 months later and we are in it every single day, it's the perfect place for relaxation, reflection, conversation and "us time." In a world that has become a little overwhelming, it is a retreat.... 

Don't get me wrong, we dipped into our savings to pay for it and the electric bill has more than doubled, however every night as I step into my hot tub, my whole body switches to de-stress and relaxation mode and my mind says the same thing...
"It's worth every single penny!"

Primrose

Well your electricity may have soared but think what you're saving counselling fees!!,   And with the weather hopefully warming up a little it may be an even more relaxing experience.
Where have you got it located?  Have you found your quality of sleep has improved as a result of your nightly dips?

Agentmomo

Primrose said:

Well your electricity may have soared but think what you're saving counselling fees!!,   And with the weather hopefully warming up a little it may be an even more relaxing experience.
Where have you got it located?  Have you found your quality of sleep has improved as a result of your nightly dips?

Hi Primrose,
You may quite correct on the counselling fee savings haha!
We find it is amazing in the winter months actually, there is some thing about being outside when it is freezing but the Hot tub is at 40 degrees. Quite invigorating! In the summer we will just reduce the temp of the hot tub so it's a bit like a giant paddling pool (we did that last summer)

It is located at the back of the garden, fairly secluded. I know some people that have coverings for them like Gazebo's or roofs but we decided against that. We like to see the stars at night and at dusk, the birds nesting or flying out to feed. All that nature has to offer really

100% on the sleep quality, it is just really relaxing and a good stress reliever.

Wednesday2000

Agentmomo said:

I bought a hot tub!
Years and years I have been on this site, always searching for advice, thrifty ways of living and I am a Debt free Wannabe, yet I bought a hot tub!!

And do you know what, it was the best purchase ever...

I knew back in March 2020 when Boris first locked us all down that this was not going to go away quickly (and it didn't / hasn't). So I did it, that very night after his announcement, I went online and I bought one, something I have always wanted.

Good job I did it that night as they are nearly double the price now.
It arrived 2 months later and we are in it every single day, it's the perfect place for relaxation, reflection, conversation and "us time." In a world that has become a little overwhelming, it is a retreat.... 

Don't get me wrong, we dipped into our savings to pay for it and the electric bill has more than doubled, however every night as I step into my hot tub, my whole body switches to de-stress and relaxation mode and my mind says the same thing...
"It's worth every single penny!"

How lovely! I'm very envious.