Life Returning to "Normal"

[Ewife]

Is anyone else struggling with coming out of Lockdown? My husbands illness has all happened during the pandemic, and it's only just dawning on us now the reality of it all. Whilst we have been in Lockdown and shielding we have been wrapped in a kind of security blanket of a slower paced life and no social expectations. I don't just mean drinking either, staying out late, meeting people, being polite etc etc. We've met with friend's a couple of times since the restrictions have lifted and been exhausted afterwards. My husband is trying to go into work as much as possible so is physically drained too. We didn't realise how much his condition was affecting him. We've also found it mentally hard too, everyone asking after his health, commenting on how much weight he's lost etc. His Dad is also suffering from a terminal illness and has gone downhill a lot - so it's hard when everyone is asking how he is too. Whilst the isolation has been tough, am I the only one that is struggling with going back to "normal ".?? Don't wish to sound so negative......but maybe I'm just coming to terms with all that has happened/lies ahead.

[confused71]

Sorry to hear you have had such a rough time of it --- I am struggling with going back to normal whatever that is .I feel that by staying in bad stuff is less likely to happen --I have had a few issues that have really hit me mentally and although being active would help I havent got the energy .I had to go to the dentist last week and burst out in tears while I was there I just wanted to go home . I think we will all feel better when we get some warm sunshine on our bodies.I really enjoyed the first lockdown but this latest one has really hit hard .I hope you feel better soon --take small steps

[Hidden]

It must be doubly hard for you, you have my every sympathy. If it's any consolation, l took the park and ride into the city for the 1st time since the 1st lockdown and couldn't wait to get home. Too many people in groups taking up the pavements forcing others to walk in the road. 6 drunks obviously celebrating the huge reopening staggering out of their local pub towards me. Only the aisle seats on the bus are allowed to be occupied meaning you cannot avoid contact as you walk past passengers in those seats. I feel you lose your whole identity wearing a mask and yet others freely wander into shops without them so still the lines are blurred regarding face coverings and distancing. Happy on my local countryside walks and the cliffs and beach at the coast. But you can stick the city for another year at least as far as l'm concerned !

[Ewife in reply to Hidden]

Who would have thought a couple of years ago that we'd end up talking like this!!!!😅

[Hidden in reply to Ewife]

How true 🤣 xx

[Nettekin]

So sorry to hear you are both struggling with the physical issues as well as the mental side of things. It's weird isn't it that although on the one hand the pandemic was very frightening, in many ways it also created a safe, cocooning feeling as well. We didn't have to try so hard or make quite the same effort. For people with health issues in some ways it made life easier. Living with a heart problem and facing new issues with liver tests, life at home was comforting. Now so called normal life is returning all I wanted to do was see my sons who I hadn't seen for a year. Thankfully now I have and it was wonderful. But all the shopping and the socialising? I'm not ready yet. Will I ever be? The jury is out at the moment. Take care x

[Hidden in reply to Nettekin]

Also, sad to see Debenhams closed down and boarded up with empty drinks cans and tents of the homeless in it's doorways when there was a lengthy queue of customers for Primark.

[Hidden]

Hi,

You are definitely not alone in feeling this way, its a common theme in some of the calls we take on the nurse helpline.

Would you both maybe find it helpful to join one of our support groups? we are providing them virtually at the moment and they are really successful, here is a link to the webpage for info and a link to the form to fill in to express interest, if you wish.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Take care.