How has covid changed your life?

[babylonsister]

One aspect for me is working. I was hoping to be working, but was able to make the decision to stay away from people.
Another is the fear factor. I am not at all as social as I used to be. I loved striking up conversations when out and about, but no more.
People. I miss them.

[msongs]

1. used ta sell my art etc at craft shows but few around now, tho they are slowly returning nt

[Vdizzle]

29. Maybe try ETSY?

[msongs]

55. have n etsy store with some sales but in person is way better nt

[sarcasmo]

2. No crowds, more online ordering.

[leftstreet]

13. +1

I have to wonder how much curtailed impulse buying has hit the bottom lines of big retailers

[a kennedy]

3. Yup and ditto to not being as social as previously......

We don’t go out hardly at all anymore. Prior to the Vid, we’d be out 2 times a week, now lucky if out for dinner once or twice a month.

[Bev54]

27. I went out to eat at a restaurant with my son and family

for the first time in almost 2 years. It was ok, all patrons need to be vaccinated but I realized that I really didn't enjoy the food as much. I think I just prefer to eat at home with the family.

[dixiechiken1]

4. Coming up on one year since I lost my mom to COVID...

I miss her.

[babylonsister]

5. I'm so sorry to read this.

Moms are so special and this ghastly disease has wreaked too much havoc.

I know you do.

[MustLoveBeagles]

12. I'm sorry 😐

[orleans]

32. i'm truly sorry about your mom.

[electric_blue68]

34. So sorry. {gentle hug}

[Demovictory9]

35. sorry for your loss

[dixiechiken1]

51. @ babylonsister, MustLoveBeagles, orleans, electric_blue68 & Demovictory9:

Thank you all so much. I appreciate your kindness.

[onecaliberal]

6. People have lost their mind... you're not missing anything.

They forgot how to behave in public, how to treat people. They don’t know how to act like adults.

[babylonsister]

8. True-my theory is the miscreants misbehaving

are in the vast minority but get the press.

I'm here watching this shit show but am not in any way participating in it. I think I'm in the majority.

[Bev54]

28. True, I lost my brother and sister, not to covid but to antivaxx and anti mask

Not sure I will ever get the relationship back, not sure I want to.

[onecaliberal]

30. I'm so sorry. I think that situation is playing out for a lot of people.

[abqtommy]

7. One word: STRESS. And stress has a big negative impact on my mental health.

Sure, I wrote in early 2020 that we can survive this and that has proved to be true,
at least for some of us. But all of us who survive are paying a price and that's the
value we place on our lives and the lives of those we love.

[TlalocW]

9. My income came entirely from my own business

Children's entertainment - mainly balloon twisting and decor and magic. When COVID hit, I immediately stopped all gigs, or they canceled. I could literally see hundreds of people a week and could have been a superspreader. Money started getting tight, and my SIL got me a job with where she works where I wouldn't be around a lot of people. I do 3:30 to midnight and have a TON of downtime because I'm just waiting on things. It's decent pay, have insurance finally, and am doing gigs again, but I don't plan on leaving. I don't have to hustle as much now, and I'm literally teaching myself fun things at work - how to knit, crochet, acid-etch glass. I've done several sewing projects, etc. I think it actually worked out well for me.

TlalocW

[jpak]

10. Yes everything

Lost my teaching job

Sucks

[Shellback Squid]

11. I became a end-of-times hoarder

TP to take to the afterlife

[sarcasmo]

15. Thankfully I don't have hoarding space, 6 month soup supply.

[Shellback Squid]

16. hydration and nutrition, I see your game

[MerryBlooms]

14. I've worked throughout this entire mess.

Lots of stress, especially at the beginning!

My union won us hazard pay, which is great. The people above us who were never in the field, and still are working from home, have had zero risk, I'm not sure their compensation. My understanding is they also will be compensated. They haven't done in person visits since this plague started, and are all still at home doing phone checks

I still duck and dodge at the grocery stores. I'm in Jackson county Oregon. Maskholes around every corner. Pharmacies aren't bad. We have mask mandate for indoors in Oregon, but a lot of creeps think they're above all that.

Huge hate fest for Democrats here, especially Kate Brown.

[Xolodno]

17. Well...

1. I spend more time with my wife and cats.

2. No more 1.5 to 2 hour commutes each way.

3. Got a new position and now full time remote.

4. Realized some friends and people I know...have a few screws loose.

5. Slowly getting rid of crap I don't need in the house.

6. Actually lost a little bit of weight. Office was notorious with left over food from a meeting....or food during a meeting.

7. I get a lot more work done.

[TheFarseer]

18. My job sucks way more

So much paperwork etc for CARES Act. Wife works from home now so we got a dog. I have to argue with dumbasses more about vaccines. Probably other stuff I’m forgetting.

[mnhtnbb]

19. Completely changed my life.

I was living in a high rise downtown apartment. Walked to everything. Had season tickets for the ballet, symphony, and a series of musical theatre. Traveled. In fact, I was on an island in the Caribbean when it all hit in March 2020. Came home a week early for fear I'd get stuck if they closed the airport ( which they did for 15 months to flights from the US).

In April 2020 I made the decision to buy a house because I could see this wasn't going away any time soon. Put money down on a house to be built in a new development and moved in January 6, 2021.

The ballet and the symphony have resumed performances. Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test is required. Masks are required, but I am not planning to attend a ballet performance until February. I don't have a symphony ticket until next June. I don't like to drive at night any more, and adding an Uber both ways is pretty pricey. Being able to walk 5 blocks from my apartment to the Performing Arts Center was fabulous.

I have a trip back to Bonaire booked in January. This week I get my Moderna booster, but I still mask up inside when I go anywhere. My county still has inside mask mandates and people are almost 100% compliant.

I am not traveling the way I did pre-Covid. I have only been to one movie since February 2020. I don't go shopping for fun. I limit trips to the grocery store, although I do go more frequently. Eating out is limited and I prefer patio tables. Now that the weather is colder, I doubt I will eat out much.

My life is very different.

[meadowlander]

20. I've been really lucky.

The first lockdown helped me realise how bad the old open plan office was for my sensory issues. So I quit my old job and got a new one which enables full time work at home. No commute, no bras, much better teammates, better pay, easier to focus so less stress, etc. it's like getting an extra two hours a day back to focus on my interests.

Six months in and I'm feeling less stressed than I have been in the last 15 years. Of course I'm autistic and never really liked going out or being around lots of people anyway so YMMV.

[bamagal62]

21. More time alone in my studio, which is awesome.

But, I miss going to paint live models with other artists. Painting a model on zoom just isn’t the same. I no longer spend money on clothes. I eat more and watch more TV. I’m not a good exercise at home person. So, I hate that I can’t go to an exercise class. I miss going to the theatre and finding new restaurants around the city. I’m beginning to feel better about traveling. However, only to see vaccinated family members. I love not having to go to social events with a bunch of people I don’t know!

[GusBob]

22. Interesting question had to think about it

Things are back to normal so no changes other than masking up daily for work. I did lose some weight from an active outdoor lifestyle

But lessons learned for sure: the value of hard work, sacrifice , duty and perseverance.

Also the value of remote country living, no crowds means natural social distancing. You don’t miss movies, concerts or going out to eat if you never do those things anyway

[Behind the Aegis]

23. Got to spend much more time with my husband as he worked from home.

That was nice for me. Sadly, it also revealed some hateful stupidity from people I otherwise thought were kind, upstanding people, only to discover they were selfish. I also watched, with some alarm, as propaganda spread much faster than I have really seen it on any one topic. Most disappointing is the bullshit from all sides, everyone always thinking they were right, and denouncing things they simply didn't understand. Oh, and the fucking conspiracy theories...FUUUUUUUK! Why today, I learned that Jared the Jew was smuggling COVID shots to Israel. Of course, that is just the newest one, the list of "this group is responsible", this group is creating fake cures, COVID is a hoax, etc, well that SHIT is still happening!

[Shellback Squid]

24. love it that you cherished the time with your husband

[UTUSN]

25. Well, *huge* loss of people close to me, not in big numbers but in intimacy. The change consisted

of going back to my early life that was WITHOUT those relationships. I'm back to the empty part of my life.

[babydollhead]

26. husband of 30 years hightailed it away

Last edited Tue Nov 16, 2021, 08:56 AM - Edit history (1)

because as a gig worker, I qualified for unemployment, which provided a predictable, steady income for the first time in my life as a teaching artist, which afforded the husband the window out, back to his past, 1985 to be exact, with a girl he had loved at 20. Also, I was side blinded and because it was COVID, nobody could hug me.

[babylonsister]

40. babydollhead, I wish I could

give you a hug for real. That is awful; mine hightailed it after 28 years so I do understand. It does get better but that's not much comfort now.


Someone I loved once
Gave me a box full of darkness.
It took me years to understand
That this too was a gift.
-Mary Oliver

[babydollhead]

46. Thank you.

I hug you back. And also, I love Mary Oliver.

[Decoy of Fenris]

50. Wife left me too during COVID. I know nothing I say or do could soothe.

Just hope you know you're not alone. I'm pretty sure you know that, but nonetheless; You're not alone. You never will be unless you wish to be. You're loved, just the way you are, even if it's just by a few folk.

That's more than most can say. You are loved. I hope you never forget that.

[babydollhead]

61. Thank you.that is very kind

I am hosting some exchange students and have learned that I can offer comfort and nourishment from a loving heart. I forgot that I can love! Everyday gets a little better.

[greytdemocrat]

31. Not much

My wife and I both got COVID at the very beginning and like the majority of the planet, fought it off with little effort. It was like the Flu but different. The fact we had it was confirmed by our doc who also had it along with his wife. They are both doctors. The symptoms we all had were identical.

My wife and I have had all 3 shots even though they probably weren't needed. We both have our little cards, to prove it so if we are asked "Ver are your papers!" we can show them.

Oh, we never changed our habits or where/when we went.

[John Ludi]

33. It demolished

any lingering faith I had in any innate sense of "goodness" in human nature and ultimately confirmed my feelings that humanity is destined to be an evolutionary footnote by it's very design.

Aside from that, not much.

[electric_blue68]

36. Well that's a shame bc there's still so much kindness from people

[electric_blue68]

37. Having to stay at home so much more :(

Even with the vax (have to get my booster) at 68 and heavy - I still have to be extra careful.m! Thank goodness I do live in NYC, though my area may still have less vaxxed people. Not drumphers, very Latinx.

I love bopping about in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. Parks, gardens, on the streets with people, chatting with strangers at times, as well. Looking at favorite buildings, out door art. Museums on free days or pay what you wish. My favorite stores, even just for looking. Eating out modest meals. Meeting my friends, and family.

Hardly any museums now. Only go to my favorite store area (Traders, Micheals, Blick, Best Buy) once every 6- 9 weeks (vs 1-2xs a week). Without being able to go to a park consistently (esp '20) in the warm months I haven't really had a full recovery from my winter SAD both years.

While I've seen my sis every 4+ - 8 wks it used to be more. And we didn't meet up at all from March -?Sept '20. I won't eat inside so maybe we'll order from the restaurant down stairs and take up to her apt now that the cold us setting in, and they won't allow propane heaters in the outside structures. I still haven't seen any of my friends. We are however on line, and on the phone, and texting. 👍
I finally saw 2 cousins (one w a partner) the first time in 23 months last week!

I love my apt, and I draw, make quite unique wire jewelry, and knit, crochet, but I've been more depressed, anxious hardly done any of these 2 months. Finally started something. Yay

I know I'm lucky in many ways, still I feel some of my life has been so seriousy stolen! 😔

[babylonsister]

42. Yes, I also feel like time was stolen from me,

and that angers me as I'm on the downward slope.

[electric_blue68]

52. I aboslutely hear you! Sigh.

[sakabatou]

38. I've made the decision that when I get sick, I will wear a mask

[betsuni]

39. Not at all.

I might be one of the only ones. I usually try to avoid society and the pandemic has made it easier. I feel sorry for sociable people and feel a little guilty.

[no_hypocrisy]

41. Proceeding with caution, but not much has changed for me.

I'm still dividing my employment between being a cashier in food retail and being a substitute teacher. Both exposes me to the public on a regular basis. I wear a mask and I've had 2 vaxes with the booster. I feel that I'm lucky to have continued paychecks.

[róisín_dubh]

43. I miss the ease and frequency of travel.

But I learned that my job will never love me back, so it's time to go do something else, in a place I love living. Life is short. Too short to be miserable in a job and place I despise.

[traitorsgalore]

44. Small town America no longer seems quaint and quiet, it's disease-filled and fascist breeding

I no longer have any interest in going anywhere near rural America.

[Boomerproud]

45. In every way imaginable.

All negative.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

47. It has validated my life long avoidance of Republicans.

It has confirmed my beliefs that I can't fix stupid, and that Republicans are directly or indirectly a threat to life on the planet, to liberty, democracy, and the pursuit of happiness.

Birds of a feather flock together. Fascists are unquestionably why genius Einstein ultimately decided to build that bomb.

[Decoy of Fenris]

48. I've never been happier.

To quote Men in Black, "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it."

Never been happier to be Remote Working, to never have to see another mouth-breathing lunatic other than a brief knock on the door when my shopping is delivered to me. Moreover, increased bargaining power in the workplace, since COVID has led the biggest charge towards remote work (eliminating costly, meaningless positions like middle managers and saving money across the board while increasing productivity). This is true with entry-level shit on jobs like the service industry as well, with many managers getting the axe while the essentials get raises; Better for everyone, and fuck middle management.

Deaths/Illness aside, COVID was the best thing to ever happen for the average worker in terms of quality of life as well as pay, and hopefully this little wave of workers-deliverance is just the beginning.

[Tracer]

49. My life has changed in 2 ways:

1. I have decided to retire. It's long past the usual retirement age for me. COVID actually retired me first. I am self-employed and lost all my customers because they were all shut down.

2. I haven't seen my son or daughter-in-law in almost two years. How I miss them! She is immunocompromised and they are most careful about interacting with crowds or traveling.

[Raftergirl]

53. I started stocking up my pantry.

I never had extras before and would just wait until we were down to practically nothing to eat to go to the store - because I hate grocery shopping. Now, I order online and do curb side pickup and order two to four of a lot of things. Now I just shop my pantry and I love it. I am also never going back to shopping in person.

We don’t go out to eat (indoors.) We do take out a little more.

H retired due to the pandemic. He had his 30 years, etc., but working 24/7 for Cuomo from March to July 2020 he just couldn’t take it any more. His stress level was off the charts. They asked him to come back last January as an internal consultant part time. He works from home about 10-15 hours a week and they are not allowed to call him/text him on nights and weekends. It’s the easiest money he’s ever made.

I stopped my weekly indoor tennis game but finally started again in September. We have both courts are all vaxxed and now boosted and we wear masks.

The theatre were we had a Broadway series subscription closed in March 2020, but the are opening next month. Must show proof of vax and masks required, so I feel it will be pretty safe.

Doing a lot more outdoor activities and instead of paying money for a yoga class, I found I’m very happy doing YouTube video claaa at home.

I learned to bake bread.

I see my cousins a lot more over Zoom get together than I did in person, because we live the farthest away from everyone and sometimes didn’t want to do the schlep - especially in winter.

I talk a lot more on the phone with my friends.

[Elessar Zappa]

54. Less traveling, less activities.

I admit that I’ve started to attend our college football and basketball games but it’s a small university with a small gym so I can socially distance and of course I’m triple vaxxed and masked up.

[Ohio Joe]

57. Less then I thought it would

We are very much homebodies to begin with but I guess we did not realize just how comfortable we are with just us. We did give up competitive axe throwing (no, really... It's like darts but with axes, lots of fun) and we stopped going to our favorite bar down in Denver... A cool little retro place that has a bunch of arcade/pinball machines from the 80's. We also no longer eat out but that has the upside of more competitive cooking at home... See who cooks the better meal We also smoke a lot more weed then we used to but... We're good with that

[CaliforniaPeggy]

58. My life hasn't changed a whole lot, mostly.

Some things have changed: we now get our lunches to go, instead of eating in the restaurant.

But that's really the biggest thing.

Also, more of my doctor visits are now via tele-conference.

We've always been quiet, stay-at-home folks.

[triron]

59. Big time. No dancing except a few weeks last summer for me and my dance partner (20 months)

Less personal shopping. No theater, no concerts, only a couple indoor dining trips last 20 months.
Mostly no swimming (which I normally do 2-3 times per week)
or gym workouts except briefly last summer before delta hit.
No socializing.

[Pathwalker]

60. I've had covid twice, and a horrible reaction to 2nd shot. I'm now

pretty much stuck in my home except for Dr. and lab visits. 1 son also had covid, but he's better. I'm still dealing with lingeirng effects. I was fullt vaxxed by March. So, not a walk on the beach.