Has 2020 Changed Your Life?
@Marisawriter (62)
Australia
December 10, 2020 1:09am CST
I live in Australia and we've had some long, hard lockdowns due to Covid. As a result, my life this year has been incredibly different from any other year - and I think some things will never change back. For instance:
1. I haven't handled a note or a coin since March, because all my shopping has been either at the supermarket (which takes cards) or online. Now I'm beginning to venture out again, many smaller shops won't even accept cash due to infection fears. The opposite of the old days where little shops didn't take cards! I think that's a habit that's here to stay.
2. I used to drink coffee at a café every day. When the restrictions were eased, the first thing I did was go to my favourite café. However, it didn't taste as special as I remembered. In fact, I think my husband's coffee-making skills are just as good. I'll still visit cafés for the ambience, but I may not go so frequently.
3. I haven't had a professional haircut since February. I bought a Remington Rapid Cut to cut my husband's hair (he likes it short) and decided to try it on my own hair, since no one was likely to see me. I just did the sides, then I trimmed the top by hand with scissors. I rather like the result, more than some professional cuts I've had! I may or may not go back to the salon.
4. This is a sad one. I haven't been to a dance class or a social dance since February. Until the vaccine has been widely distributed, I don't see me dancing again - which means several more months. At my age, getting so out of practice may mean I won't be able to get back to dance fitness again, so I may have to face facts and retire.
Do you think this year's changes will have a long-term impact on your life?
11 people like this
7 responses
@Marisawriter (62)
• Australia
10 Dec 20
I'm conscious that I will save money by not going to cafes and not getting my hair cut, but I'm also costing other people their jobs. It's a difficult situation.
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
10 Dec 20
There has been a lot of changes. Some aren't that good but there are also good things that happened. I am a kind of person that focuses more on the positive side so I am thinking that everything is part of our lives that we need to accept and learn to deal with.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (90481)
• Arvada, Colorado
10 Dec 20
Yes they have. I am all online now. The only thing I go out of is walking.
Ah it will be like riding a bike for you the dancing..all come back to you Marisa.
But yes..this year has change a lot of family dynamics too not in a good way. Sad
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 20
i wonder if things will ever get back to what we used to think of as 'normal'. Like you I cut my own hair, and I haven't been in a pub or restaurant since March.
I used to have dinner with my son and daughter in the local pub every Tuesday - now they come to my house and I either cook, or they bring a takeaway.
At my age I don't do much dancing but I used to go to an exercise class once a week. I don't know if I'd bother to go back even if they did start them up again.
1 person likes this
@pjmurphy (2499)
• United States
11 Dec 20
I definitely shop more online than before the pandemic, but I did a fair amount of that anyway. My hope is that I will come out of this pandemic with a deeper appreciation of the life I have and the people I love. And a little more forgiving.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342260)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Dec 20
I live in Western Australia and, as you are no doubt aware, we've managed to do really well in the pandemic stakes. Not a lot has changed for us as we're both retired, live on a small acreage out of town and don't go out a lot. However, we do go out less at the moment. We were hoping to travel more with our caravan but that has been put on hold at the moment. There is no way we want to get stuck out of our own state and not be able to get home.
1 person likes this
@Marisawriter (62)
• Australia
13 Dec 20
I'm in Melbourne so we've been through a tough time, but we haven't had a case in the community for over a month now. We are still being asked to wear masks and there are a few restrictions still in place, but things feel pretty normal. However I must say, after being so careful for so long, I feel quite nervous about doing normal things!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342260)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Dec 20
@Marisawriter Yes, Melbourne seems to be right now. We have a son in Melbourne and another in Ireland, where things aren't quite so good. Since our borders open we now have to sign in anywhere we go. There is a phone app but that doesn't work for everyone.
1 person likes this
@Cheyee (8344)
• Pakanbaru, Indonesia
10 Dec 20
Tbh I don't feel much difference from before pandemic. Here in my country, people pretty laid back about this virus. People do wear mask, but that's all. No social distance and other health protocol. And I don't go out much even before pandemic.
1 person likes this