What did COVID-19 pandemic do to you?

[Anonymous]

My sister’s third child was a surprise. She already filed for the divorce then from an abusive husband.
She never said she bit off more than she could chew.

PP was just venting about how tough it got for some families with kids… no need to attack her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s made me mad. I will never ever forget the feeling of abandonment. The whole world walked out. I was home alone with 3 small children, one with special needs, for 15 months. Our schools didn’t reopen. Therapies were only on zoom. And nobody cared. My parents social distanced from us. My DH can’t work from home and was out of the house from 8-7 every weekday. Soooo many “friends” and neighbors gushed about all the “silver linings” of the pandemic and how they enjoyed the family time and slower pace. Can’t relate. At all.

Sounds like maybe you bit off more than you can chew.

Yes, put those children back in your tummy, lady. What a dumb comment.

It always begs the question if the SN child was the first or the third.

1. That’s not what “begs the question” means and
2. No it does not.

[Anonymous]

It killed my Uncle and exhausted me. I think it just made me worry so much. Worry about the virus but also worry about my kids mental health. There were certainly times where I felt like all I did was argue with my kids and felt like I was just on the edge every day.

Things have gotten so much better since they can go to summer camp. I told my 9 year old how proud I was of him lately because he has been so helpful around the house and he has really just been a great person to be around (I can't remember the last time I got frustrated with him). And he was like "well mom it is because I get to see other kids now, I am so much happier." It broke my heart, but I am glad he appears to be rebounding.

Also he stopped pulling out his hair, which is wonderful. At the end of a day of virtual school there used to be a pile of hair on his desk

[Anonymous]

I realized how much I love my personality, my confidence, my ability to research on my own, form my own opinions, and follow my own convictions.

Although residing within me for years, and growing more and more with new experiences, I now know with all certainty what I want out of life, and what’s to be prioritized. My current and future employers, managers, colleagues, etc. who merely view employees as cogs in the wheel, can go summarily fu*k themselves. Granted I plan to screen future employers for sane folk.

I was extremely conflict averse in the past, sought to do good for the sake of doing good, be the bigger person, extend a helping hand, etc. But honestly, I’ve only got one life. The respect and basic decency I give to others in certain aspects of my job, things I made clear were important to me, weren’t reciprocated by others, and I’ve tossed in the towel.

I mean, anyone who works/worked in academia, particularly the research sciences, will understand the overt and systematic toxicity. Everyone has an agenda, and it’s seen as a good thing to suffer, work long hours, work weekends - these hours not even reflected in one’s pay mind you - haul ass to publish before getting scooped externally and sometimes even internally by a sneaky colleague, etc. PI’s want results, and are often upset when students, such as myself, endeavor for other career paths instead of remaining an asset to them, or staying in academia. They’re considered with titles, publications, and the prospects of former students that make THEM look good.

Basically, in addition to saying screw all that (I’m still respectful, an efficient worker, and a good student), and having an excellent work/life balance since I started my PhD program, I now go out of my way to encourage my classmates, schoolmates, and fellow lab mates to set boundaries, have a good work/life balance, and do what they want, in spite of what others may say or think, much to the chagrin of many higher-ups. I’m a little dissenter, but hey, I’ve always been somewhat defiant. I’m just more apparent now. 🤷🏾‍♀️

My first priority is my current and future family and friends, as well as helping others in my community, particularly through fostering and adopting. While I’ll be an excellent worker in my chosen career path, I won’t be a slave to it. Money isn’t what drives me. I’ve never been materialistic, and a roll with a like minded group. I just want a happy life with my family and friends, so that when I die - be it today, tomorrow, weeks, months, years, or decades from now - it’s without regrets. 😌🙃

[Anonymous]

Covid made my hair go from needing to be dyed every few months to every month. As a single mom of a 3 year old I was definitely depressed and didn't pull my full weight at work. Coworkers were initially sympathetic but that faded after 2 weeks. I spent my days in meetings and trying to entertain my child and then nights trying to catch up on work. But I would often fall asleep in front of the computer and then wasn't productive. There seemed like there was no end in sight, everyday was like groundhogs day. My 3 year old had some pretty bad behaviors (due to everything going on) and so I cried most days.
Things are much better now but I just still feel tired and a bit haggard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cost us an enormous sum of money (small business owners)

2 of our 3 kids feel behind in school, one is also depressed.

DH and I have both gained weight and drink too much.

I had to go back on meds for my anxiety, and DH is depressed (first timer). Marriage not in a great place.

We were all healthy and thriving before.

It has been very unfair, and absolutely no one cares. A few have born the brunt of this, while so many others have “enjoyed the break”.

It is hard not to be bitter.

But, you asked.

I hear you. I lost my business; I am hoping to get it restarted but have lost my entrepreneurial spirit.

Hard every single day being surrounded by people who were not financially affected by this crisis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realized how much I love my personality, my confidence, my ability to research on my own, form my own opinions, and follow my own convictions.

Although residing within me for years, and growing more and more with new experiences, I now know with all certainty what I want out of life, and what’s to be prioritized. My current and future employers, managers, colleagues, etc. who merely view employees as cogs in the wheel, can go summarily fu*k themselves. Granted I plan to screen future employers for sane folk.

I was extremely conflict averse in the past, sought to do good for the sake of doing good, be the bigger person, extend a helping hand, etc. But honestly, I’ve only got one life. The respect and basic decency I give to others in certain aspects of my job, things I made clear were important to me, weren’t reciprocated by others, and I’ve tossed in the towel.

I mean, anyone who works/worked in academia, particularly the research sciences, will understand the overt and systematic toxicity. Everyone has an agenda, and it’s seen as a good thing to suffer, work long hours, work weekends - these hours not even reflected in one’s pay mind you - haul ass to publish before getting scooped externally and sometimes even internally by a sneaky colleague, etc. PI’s want results, and are often upset when students, such as myself, endeavor for other career paths instead of remaining an asset to them, or staying in academia. They’re considered with titles, publications, and the prospects of former students that make THEM look good.

Basically, in addition to saying screw all that (I’m still respectful, an efficient worker, and a good student), and having an excellent work/life balance since I started my PhD program, I now go out of my way to encourage my classmates, schoolmates, and fellow lab mates to set boundaries, have a good work/life balance, and do what they want, in spite of what others may say or think, much to the chagrin of many higher-ups. I’m a little dissenter, but hey, I’ve always been somewhat defiant. I’m just more apparent now. 🤷🏾‍♀️

My first priority is my current and future family and friends, as well as helping others in my community, particularly through fostering and adopting. While I’ll be an excellent worker in my chosen career path, I won’t be a slave to it. Money isn’t what drives me. I’ve never been materialistic, and a roll with a like minded group. I just want a happy life with my family and friends, so that when I die - be it today, tomorrow, weeks, months, years, or decades from now - it’s without regrets. 😌🙃

Well said, and well written.

[Anonymous]

Positives:

It convinced my employer that WFH is viable. The lowered stress from not commuting and being put in fewer social anxiety-inducing situations has been fantastic.

My daughter got a year of one-on-one schooling from grandma (a former early ed teacher).

Negatives:

Still haven’t seen my parents since Christmas 2019. So they’ve missed out on 1.5 years of their granddaughter.

I worry a bit about my daughter’s socialization. She had one neighbor friend in her bubble but hasn’t interacted with other kids in a meaningful way since March 2020. She goes to her first summer camp next week. Kids are resilient though.

TBD:

My wife decided to quit her job. She hated it, so it is a good move. But there is uncertainty about what is next. We can be ok financially for a while, but…

Overall, we were extraordinarily fortunate to be in a place to be able to weather the COVID storm. I don’t pretend that our situation is normal and I feel for those out there that have had a rough time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realized how much I love my personality, my confidence, my ability to research on my own, form my own opinions, and follow my own convictions.

Although residing within me for years, and growing more and more with new experiences, I now know with all certainty what I want out of life, and what’s to be prioritized. My current and future employers, managers, colleagues, etc. who merely view employees as cogs in the wheel, can go summarily fu*k themselves. Granted I plan to screen future employers for sane folk.

I was extremely conflict averse in the past, sought to do good for the sake of doing good, be the bigger person, extend a helping hand, etc. But honestly, I’ve only got one life. The respect and basic decency I give to others in certain aspects of my job, things I made clear were important to me, weren’t reciprocated by others, and I’ve tossed in the towel.

I mean, anyone who works/worked in academia, particularly the research sciences, will understand the overt and systematic toxicity. Everyone has an agenda, and it’s seen as a good thing to suffer, work long hours, work weekends - these hours not even reflected in one’s pay mind you - haul ass to publish before getting scooped externally and sometimes even internally by a sneaky colleague, etc. PI’s want results, and are often upset when students, such as myself, endeavor for other career paths instead of remaining an asset to them, or staying in academia. They’re considered with titles, publications, and the prospects of former students that make THEM look good.

Basically, in addition to saying screw all that (I’m still respectful, an efficient worker, and a good student), and having an excellent work/life balance since I started my PhD program, I now go out of my way to encourage my classmates, schoolmates, and fellow lab mates to set boundaries, have a good work/life balance, and do what they want, in spite of what others may say or think, much to the chagrin of many higher-ups. I’m a little dissenter, but hey, I’ve always been somewhat defiant. I’m just more apparent now. 🤷🏾‍♀️

My first priority is my current and future family and friends, as well as helping others in my community, particularly through fostering and adopting. While I’ll be an excellent worker in my chosen career path, I won’t be a slave to it. Money isn’t what drives me. I’ve never been materialistic, and a roll with a like minded group. I just want a happy life with my family and friends, so that when I die - be it today, tomorrow, weeks, months, years, or decades from now - it’s without regrets. 😌🙃

Well said, and well written.

Thank you! I enjoy writing, and intend to go into science/medical writing as a career. ✍️ 🥰

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Made me really appreciate just how evil the Chinese Communist Party / Chinese government truly is.

They are the Number One threat to the world. Not just to their own citizens, but to every single human on this planet.

+1000

The Chinese communist party is dishonest to the core. And completely devoid of anything resembling morality.

In secret, they are actively perpetuating genocide against their Uighur population.

They are also massively exploiting Africa and many other underdeveloped regions.

This! It is frightening

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel so fragile now. Like a leaf struggling to hang on before another blast comes. I never felt like this before and our family has been through a lot.

This is EXACTLY how I feel. I used to think I was a tough cookie! Now I feel afraid and anxious - not necessarily about Covid, but more like - when will the other shoe drop. I know I need to be strong for my family, so I just have to fake it. But sometimes I can’t.

Yes, thank you. I am afraid and anxious and putting on a brave face to my family. I cry when I am alone and that helps a little.

Me too.

This gives me such comfort to know I’m not alone in these feelings. Not in a ‘misery loves company’ way - but more like ‘I hope we call all feel better’ way. I was thinking of having some little private ceremony for myself to try to wash away the past 18 months and start over. Sort of cleanse the bad energy. But then when I actually have ideas to plan it, it sounds incredibly cheesy and self indulgent. My old self would think I’m nuts…

I actually like this idea (down to the “my old self” part. I miss her.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s made me mad. I will never ever forget the feeling of abandonment. The whole world walked out. I was home alone with 3 small children, one with special needs, for 15 months. Our schools didn’t reopen. Therapies were only on zoom. And nobody cared. My parents social distanced from us. My DH can’t work from home and was out of the house from 8-7 every weekday. Soooo many “friends” and neighbors gushed about all the “silver linings” of the pandemic and how they enjoyed the family time and slower pace. Can’t relate. At all.

Sounds like maybe you bit off more than you can chew.

Yes, put those children back in your tummy, lady. What a dumb comment.

It always begs the question if the SN child was the first or the third.

1. That’s not what “begs the question” means and
2. No it does not.

Well, it means a question that begs to be answered
Did they have a SN child first, and then go on to risk two more children
Did they have a SN child second, an md then go on to risk another child
Did they have a SN child third, and stop because of the risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Made me really appreciate just how evil the Chinese Communist Party / Chinese government truly is.

They are the Number One threat to the world. Not just to their own citizens, but to every single human on this planet.

+1000

The Chinese communist party is dishonest to the core. And completely devoid of anything resembling morality.

In secret, they are actively perpetuating genocide against their Uighur population.

They are also massively exploiting Africa and many other underdeveloped regions.

This! It is frightening

It is reality. The Chinese are buying many African port facilities in preparation of turning the youngest population in the world into workers for their manufacturing plants. Their people are becoming less poor and they need the young and poor of Africa. Climate migration may be the only thing that saves Africa from the ChiComs

[Anonymous]

I’m about $100k richer than I was at the outset, but lost my grandmother and several in laws (in South Asia).

[Christinamoms]

Added about 10 pounds and caused me to watch a lot more streaming television/movies. Luckily, we didn't have any health issues related to COVID.