How's your year been?

We have just come through one of the greatest upheavals in 100 years, arguably the greatest in terms of civilian life, so first of all, congratulations on getting through that.

How do you think you've fared?

I didn't want to start this in the Coronavirus forum as it's intended to hear from all-comers — many of us avoid the Covid forums altogether (that's wise)

Are you faring better, or worse, than one year and a few weeks ago? Not interested in any political stuff, just your personal experiences (if AH mods are ok with that).

Personally I hate it. Managed to move house and return home in the short few days that Dublin wasnt locked down, and whilst I am enjoying being at home, this is still a load of shíte. Some family I am sick to death of. Other family are stranded, very far. My hair is a puzzle of unusual questions, curling into a bog-afro. I don't know what shirts feel like. I want to get back to normal life, it was good.

Are you doing better or worse, reflecting on the past year?

Quantum Erasure

I gave up the beer, three times so far...

I've had better.

Mr. Incognito

Read your history.

Far from over.

If we avoid mutant strains and don't have huge fatalities in the next year we will be very fortunate

Mr. Incognito

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Read your history.

Far from over.

If we avoid mutant strains and don't have huge fatalities in the next year we will be very fortunate

Not really asking for predictions, but thanks for the positive note!

More curious about how everyone is getting on. Seems like there is a big divergence of opinion. Met a friend (is that legal? I've lost track) outdoors today and he is having a great time. I feel somewhat more constrained. This past hear has been the best thing for some of us, a personal nightmare for others.

thesimpsons

I'm well and healthy but feel so crap. I was ok till the post Christmas lockdown, but now life has become so incessantly boring, haven't met my friends in so long (14 months for one due to them having poor immune system, other friend 6 months due to where they live). I'm sick of family around constantly in the house, sick to death of same solo routes, work from home parttime, always did but its virtually dried up now. I understand people end to socialise, we are social people, but we'll never get out and about at this rate. The constant cover crap on radio, tv_ I'm sick of listening to music but radio keeps harping back to covid issues. The mishandling of vaccine driving everyone to despair. Parent in hospital for over a month, non covid related, but with no visitors he deteriorated terribly. Burried my inlaws - non covid, and again - terrible deterioration in them from missing out on contact.

Used to do loads of sport, cycling & running, mini triathlons but injured twice in last 6 months
and after putting on weight. Never had mental health problem but some good days, lots of bad days now. How's my year - uuuggghhh.


I did save money and will be paying off last bit of mortgage earlier than expected but its only a small plus. I'd far preferred to have been able to spend that same money on meals with friends, seeing family, etc

jmlad2020

I've been Hibernating longer than the hedgehog at this stage. I'm sure the wee ****er has been getting more action than me anyways.

PommieBast

I can't point to anything positive. Once it is over I am emigrating and making a fresh start.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

We have just come through one of the greatest upheavals in 100 years, arguably the greatest in terms of civilian life, so first of all, congratulations on getting through that.

Not entirely sure I've gotten through it yet

Living in Berlin, so it's been easier. We were never under full "lockdown" - just closure of non-essential shops and no groups-meetings and only one other household allowed to visit. For the last few months, the later has been ignored and the shops are repopening but you have to book an appointment first. Movement around the city was never curtailed.

I've fared ok so far - been very productive - but am not sure how much longer I can tolerate this it. Need to get a holiday at some point.

Going good, bored though

Hamachi

I’d settle for a decent haircut at this stage.

I’m fed up looking at myself in the mirror growing an Afro and a mullet simultaneously!

pappyodaniel

Struggling tbh but I was always struggling, it's just a different type. It's not like we are in war time and rationing.

Could be worse.... Its just boring.

Crap, covid is just compounding other problems.

woodchuck

I had 2 goals last year: get married and buy a house.

We managed to buy a house, but the wedding has been postponed twice now.

I've been working from home the past year and I'm starting to feel like a hermit. I feel my friendships are suffering badly. I've only met up with my close group of friends ONCE in the past year; last summer when multiple households were actually allowed dine together in restaurants and case numbers were very low. It's very difficult to maintain relationships when you never see each other or have shared experiences. Zoom is NOT the same and sure nobody has any news anyway.

jester77

Doing OK, more time with my kids, fitter now as I use my previous commute time to exercise plus the burgers, döners, schnitzel and pizza lunches are now healthier home cooked meals which also helps. Miss the social scene: gigs, sport events, festivals and just a simple beer with friends.

LessOutragePlz

It's all felt a bit surreal, I was never really in fear of the catching it except for during the first 2 weeks of it when we didn't know how deadly it was to younger people such as myself.

I've done what I can to not spread it amongst my family or friends but I have been going for swims at the beach and strolls in some woods because it's been great for my mental health.

One thing I have noted is how nasty people in the covid forum can be to each other when they're arguing about the whole situation and the government's and people's response to it.

I think a lot of people are lacking empathy in relation to the situation as some people have had a way tougher time than others.

I do think some posters enjoy winding others up in the covid forum but I'd put a lot of that down to the fact that many of us myself included are spending a lot more time online.

Hopefully it all calm downs in the next month or 2 but there's no garauntee that it will unfortunately.

Cluedo Monopoly

I have spent a whole lot more time with my wife and kids. I will never regret that.

Multipass

My year has been nothing but horrible - my sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer and I can’t visit her as she’s in another country. Even when travel is possible I’m not going to be able to pay for multiple pcr tests. I no longer give a crap about covid, i couldn’t care less about catching it.

punisher5112

Your ma or something like that....

I've a porn addiction just can't get enough...

punisher5112

Matt Damon

punisher5112

Cream eggs

punisher5112

Open a freekin window

woodchuck

woodchuck wrote: »

It's very difficult to maintain relationships when you never see each other or have shared experiences. Zoom is NOT the same and sure nobody has any news anyway.

Yeah. I dread fhe silences on the phone/zoom chatting to friends/family because there's nothing much to say. These are people we'd usually never usually be short of a word for...but end up reaching for stupid questions like "what did you have for lunch?", or "oh is this your laundry day, thought you did laundry on mondays?" Jesus H. Christ.

Time was, when you couldn't get a word in edgeways between friends. Now there's nothing to say.

begbysback

Getting to read some interesting books, elephants on acid is recommended for those who have the stomach for it.

Junkyard Tom

My folks got their follow-up Pfizer shot today so I'm kinda pleased they got through the year without getting infected.

YellowLead

It’s been pretty horrible not going to lie. Ended a long term relationship last Jan so was newly single and alone and starting to have fun enjoying friends and the single life, wee bits of what was once seen as precious alone time.

35 when it began and now hurtling towards 37 I feel like precious time in the dating game has been lost (as a woman of a certian age).

I’ve hated working from home - I’m in a very small apartment now so my desk is also my dinner table. I’ve no friends who live nearby I could meet for an outdoor walk. No scenic spots around. Super lonely. Had covid last March which lasted for weeks but the loneliness and boredom has been far worse. I can imagine, as an example, if you are in a happy relationship and live by the sea in a house with separate rooms for work maybe it’s not so bad.
Lots of friends sort of enjoyed it at the start but every one of them cracked at different stages. I just cracked from Day 1.

RGARDINR

So working from home has been great for myself, saves me up to 3 hrs a day travelling. That's a benefit there for me. Suppose save a bit on travel etc every week. Spent more time with kids which was great and nice to be able to bring them to school and then collect them during lunch break. Working from home has been great for both myself and other half as more time to do things in the day. That's the main pro. Cons are not seeing parents as much, as use to go up every Saturday, now once every 2 to 3 wks. Miss the cinema big time, miss seeing some friends, sleep pattern messed up as I can rock out of bed about 5 mins before I clock in which is class but getting about 4/5 hrs sleep a night. Holidays I miss big time. Just to be able to do what you want pre covid I miss. So work wise love working from home and seeing the kids/spouse so much more as so much more time in the day not commuting etc. Rest of it is crap I give you that and just want normal back to the way it was.
Plus I realise that I am lucky and I do feel sorry for people who are hurting for whatever reason since this all began.

dirtyden

Multipass wrote: »

My year has been nothing but horrible - my sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer and I can’t visit her as she’s in another country. Even when travel is possible I’m not going to be able to pay for multiple pcr tests. I no longer give a crap about covid, i couldn’t care less about catching it.

I am really sorry for your sister and for you. Do as much as you can with her and your family as technology allows. My sister passed away last August, it’s been a real struggle since as I live away from home, I could come home for the funeral but very little since then, and would really like to be closer to family but online calls have been a real source of comfort for us.

Apart from that is all I can say is my thoughts are with you.

namenotavailablE

Utterly dreadful 12 months for me, my wife and our families.
My father died, a cousin in his late 30's died and a young boy we knew well (only son of foreign based friends of my wife, barely 13 years old and in school in Ireland) died. None of these deaths were COVID related.

r93kaey5p2izun

Nothing good happened really. Some bad stuff happened, the worst not being Covid related, but made more difficult by Covid. I think I've coped really well and I have surprised myself in that. My mother got her first vaccine this week so that's good. My life is on hold in many respects and I'm sick of it. I think it has negativity affected my opinion of people in general though, and several people I know in particular.

Antares35

Had a good year considering the context. Had my first baby in May and found out towards the end of the year we will be having Irish twins. Although it was a surprise, when we had time to think about it, it kind of makes sense to us to complete out family now while we aren't really missing a whole heap anyway, and we both get to work from home and be here for each other and our babies. Though the birth and few months after were hard because we'd no family around so had to muddle through alone and not really sure of what we were doing! Having my fiancé here was an amazing support, I think I would've cracked up/ been terrified if he'd gone back to the office after two weeks!

Managed to get debt free, save our deposit and got AIP for our mortgage (but can't view anywhere ).

Those are the positives really. We are lucky that we haven't suffered that much. I miss my friends and some of my colleagues that I am close to, just having a cuppa and a chat. I will never take those simple things for granted again.

Have friends working on the frontline who never got to work from home etc. And a close friend whose relationship broke down just before covid and she's found it hard because she can't do the normal post break up thing of getting dressed up and going out on dates and taking her mind off things. I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better but it's almost like time has just stood still and she can't move on.

Degag

Looking at it positively, i haven't lost anyone and hope it will stay that way.

If it does, then that's all that matters really. When its all over the other hardships will fade,

trixi001

Mostly rubbish

Moved to a new city at the end of 2019 and joined a few clubs etc, but they were all cancelled, and entirely working from home, so no opportunity to make friends in work either...its been a very lonely year, with basically just seeing my husband..

Finances haven't been great either as i took a pay cut to change jobs, and my husband had no income for a few months either due to COVID shutdowns, so its been tough socially & financially

House was like a building site when things closed in March 2020 as we were getting work done and didn't start again until July, and we have lots more work to get done to make the house feel even remotely like a home, but a mixture of finances and lockdowns, have meant nothing has got done.

Added to it, have a few family members in my extended family who are very ill (non covid) but who i haven't seen since March 2020 and unfortunately may never see again.

So basically, i have spent a year missing my friends & family, have had numerous holidays and trips cancelled, have had serious money worries (and none of my friends or family seem to understand this element, as they all (and their partners etc) have very secure jobs, mostly in the public sector), and most are still at physically at work at least occasionally.



Good bits..few and far between, have been able to get laundry etc done at lunchtime..
Have discovered a few new local walks
Finally gave in and signed up to Netflix, although bored of it now..
Spent more quality time with the hubbie back in early days, daily walks etc..

bigar

A someone with Aspergers I would love for this to continue forever. I can work from home, am not obliged to chit chat to people, have no peer pressure to go out for a drink and people mostly keep their distance. Every day is very predictable and not complicated.

For me it have been a very good year.

2020 was pretty horrible. I felt very robbed of my life and was very bitter over it.
2021 is a little better. Not so bitter just more bored now. Debt free come June and thankfully nobody’s gotten sick or died. People are in a much worse off position than I and I am very grateful for that.
Trying to remain positive now and see what the rest of the year holds.

Gregor Samsa

My Dad died from covid last May. That was definitely the low point. Having one final visit with him, us dressed in head-to-toe PPE and he gasping for breath, was totally heartbreaking. Only being able to touch him with gloved hands. Being told that every minute we spent with him was more risk to us. It's an image the pops into my head even now way too often.

We weren't even allowed onto the property of the funeral home, let alone see him after he died. Had to watch his coffin loaded into the hearse from over the wall of a public carpark. 8 people at the funeral. I had to video record it myself so that his elderly family could see it, as the chapel (Glasnevin) didn't have a streaming service at the time. I have't fully got over all that.

Missed a few other funerals, family and friends, that I really wish I could have attended. I'm not at all religious (quite the opposite), but there's a closure to funerals, the ceremony, the meeting with friends and family that can't be replicated via streaming.

I'm lucky that my company is well set up for working from home. I personally don't really like it, and am looking forward to the time I can spend at least some time around people in the office, but work wise and money wise I've done well out of the year.

I've enjoyed spending more time with my wife and the kids. Christmas, even though it was quiet, meant more than any other year and was very enjoyable.

I keep in good contact with my brother on the other side of the country. Miss my friends.

Getting pretty fed up of staring at the 4 walls, though. Looking forward to getting to the coast in a couple of weeks. I'm glad the sun is finally shining, because the grim weather of the past couple of months has been depressing.

El_Duderino 09

I’ve had it ok. It’s just myself and my Mrs and the cat in a 2up 2down. We get on great so we make the most of it.

Job was stable so just switched to working from home. Miss the office and workmates, we usually had lunch together in the office kitchen, Friday night pints most weeks.

Miss family and friends, haven’t seen my family since August. But hopefully we’re reaching the end of the harshest restrictions.

We have made a conscious effort to stay physically and mentally healthy between exercise and cooking good food and keeping in touch with friends. I’ve been doing lots of exercise videos so feeling good about that. We work, relax and exercise in the one downstairs room so it can be a bit cramped, so we rearranged the furniture to make it more suitable for all 3 main activities.

Some things have been lucky like my job being secure, some things are a mixture of luck and effort like deciding to be healthy and sticking to it. Some things are just about attitude. I appreciate that others have had different experiences for various reasons.

I like to read all the different experiences you've had/are having.

2020 started off fantastically for me. I had made some big life changes so was feeling proud and good. When the pandemic hit us I felt panic because freedom and choice are values I hold dear. I had no fear of contracting Covid but I did worry about the people I love. My dad's mind wouldn't be the best so he didn't quite grasp what was happening and the restrictions.

I remember a neighbour passed away and up he went shaking hands all around him. Shure lookit. That's daddy. Staying inside and not seeing people would kill him quicker than Covid. We are very much in the camp of "there are worst things than death". He's 78 so I want him to do things and be happy rather than hide.

In many ways my year continued quite well. Work remained steady and I got engaged. In other ways not so much.
My mental health started to slip the end of last summer. I was irritable, crying, and no amount of walks, gratitude lists, and meditation would shift it. So I went back on the auld happy pills.

I get aches inside when I remember the things I loved to do and the irrational fear of them never returning isn't far away. If I sat and thought about how I can't leave my county I would sink. So I just take it handy. The constant questions from the Gardaì is a bit much because it reinforces the reality. I hate hate masks because I like people and miss their faces. Social distancing is still an alien state to me.

And if another county opened tomorrow I'd be there like a shot.

completedit

Pretty bad.

My life was on an okay trajectory and Covid just came by and put me back to square one. I've tried to use the time in a constructive manner but this lockdown has taken the wind well and truly out of my sails. I have this continuous feeling of emptiness inside. Life is suffering but it also gives us agency to use suffering to grow but with Covid this is not possible. We just drift through the weeks and months in this floaty type of unreal atmosphere. This lockdown has been worse because it now feels as if this is just our reality, the whispering of 'new variants' just negates any positivity. We were meant to be dealing with a deadly pandemic and then the goalposts changed and it was 'new variants' we ought to be fearful of. This is probably important and once again, a virus doesn't care about our morale but just the way the messaging completely shifted once the vaccines were announced was disheartening.

Covid is defined by my breakup. The breakup probably had to happen but happening in the midst of Covid was just depressing. It ended with such a whimper. I got broken up with but I wasn't even that bothered which many months later upsets me. Covid has ripped away my emotions and soul and just left me as this a deflated shell. I don't get excited or buzzed about anything nor do I get particularly down. It's awful.

Church on Tuesday

Pretty positive for the most part. Lucky to be living in Westport during this pandemic and having got my own place and space has been great too.

Have concentrated even more on fitness over the last twelve months and have reached many goals but more goals are ahead. I honestly think some kind of physical exercise is vital during this time and it has certainly helped alleviate any anxiety or stress.

Have eaten mostly clean during this time as well and have tried to keep my mind busy. In any event, we are near the end of this crisis now. Do I get fed up by times? of course, that is natural, but I try to remain grateful for what I have and cautiously plan for the future ahead.

completedit

completedit wrote: »

Pretty bad.

Covid is defined by my breakup. The breakup probably had to happen but happening in the midst of Covid was just depressing. It ended with such a whimper. I got broken up with but I wasn't even that bothered which many months later upsets me. Covid has ripped away my emotions and soul and just left me as this a deflated shell. I don't get excited or buzzed about anything nor do I get particularly down. It's awful.

I didn't want to quote your whole post complete but want to acknowledge what your wrote.

Some of our lives are bookended by events, there is the before and the after. Nothing is ever the same. This has been certainly true for me and maybe it is for you too. Look after yourself.

Apart from not being able to see family and close friends, I had a great year. Fell in love with someone I thought I could only dream about. Had a wonderful holiday together, found a fabulous apartment and moved in together. It has been bliss.
I have worked from home for many years, so that made no difference to me and my job was not impacted by Covid-19.
Other less positive things happened but I am only going to focus on the good things that happened.
As I write this, we are sitting on the balcony where the sun has been shining all day, having a coffee. Sadly my OH has to work tonight but will be home again after 7am.