Another silver lining thread

[Missy]

Now that we are (over) 7 months into the pandemic have your experiences and/or thoughts changed? Are there additional or different silver linings for you than there were at the beginning of the pandemic? I know there's a lot of negative stuff but hopefully there is some good stuff too brought on by the changes caused by Covid 19.

Please share.



And if you have a minute (2 minutes 46 seconds) this song is wonderful and applies IMO.

 

[Missy]

Working from home and being home much of the time has allowed us to care for the cats in a way we wouldn't have been able to before the pandemic and unfortunately they needed the extra care these past 6 months.

We have gotten to enjoy cycling much more than previous years because when the weather is good and work permits we can cycle.

No time spent commuting into the office is a big save on time and money and energy.

Greg loves working from home and it is a surprise to him as he often enjoyed going into the office. But now due to the hurdles, the risks he enjoys working from home very much.

I get to have my DH home all the time. Years ago had you asked me I would have been filled with trepidation about having him here 24/7 but now that we have done it (second year in a row due to cat issues last year too) I realize it is amazing. We do our own thing when we want to but we are always here for each other when we need to be and we love doing things together so it works well for us. Perfect dare I say and I cannot imagine going back to the way things were where he went into the office most days of the week.

We appreciate my family so much more than ever before and we appreciated them before believe me. Absence does make the heart grow fonder and it was amazing physical distancing from them about a month or so ago. It was heartwarming seeing them and getting to spend time with them. We miss them in a way we never had the chance to before. Made us realize how important they are to us though we already knew it just meant even more if you kwim.

Laser focused who are true friendships are and who we value immeasurably and who maybe not so much. It's good to refocus and re-evaluate and makes everything feel more valuable and important and closer to our hearts. All good.

I am an introspective person to start and this pandemic has made me even more so. I think that is good. I value what is important and put into perspective what is not. One day at a time. One hour at a time. Getting through challenging situations and knowing yes we can do this. Shows just how strong we are.

We are hitting 6K miles today on the bike woohoo. That does not suck.
And the cats are happy and (hopefully) almost well. Fingers crossed.

How about you? What are your current silver linings due to the pandemic?

 

[Missy]

Some in general silver linings we have observed.

Lots more rescue animals are finding furever homes because people are home more and have the love and time to share with a furbaby! So great this is happening.

Our carbon footprint is still somewhat reduced though not as much as at the beginning of the pandemic when more people were staying home.

Seeing the good all around. The time and energy and money being given by so many to worthwhile causes. Warms the heart. Proves there is good in this world.

 

[dk168]

On a personal point of view, being able to work from home and continue to have an income at the same level as pre-Covid is definitely the best silver lining, considering how many people have been made furloughed or redundant due to the C19 pandemic.

Not too certain if this still applies, however, at the beginning of lockdown back in March 2020, I believe the nation and my neighbourhood became more caring as a whole.

DK

 

[Missy]

On a personal point of view, being able to work from home and continue to have an income at the same level as pre-Covid is definitely the best silver lining, considering how many people have been made furloughed or redundant due to the C19 pandemic.

Not too certain if this still applies, however, at the beginning of lockdown back in March 2020, I believe the nation and my neighbourhood became more caring as a whole.

DK

So glad for you. That is indeed a huge boon for you and very fortunate! Though I’m sure you’re excellent at your job and it is well deserved. As you write there are many less fortunate despite being skilled at what they do. Such a difficult time for so many

 

[Dandi]

The sheer amount of time I have been able to spend with my babies. Although they desperately missed school and kindergarten (both back on Monday, woo hoo!) and their extra-curricular activities, and at times I craved some 'me' time, there's something so precious about just being home together. Never rushing, never late, just time to be together. We baked, played games, watched movies, read countless books, went exploring rivers and beaches, and often just cuddled on the couch because there was nothing else to do. And we loved it. Part of me will miss my little sidekicks with me all day, every day, when I'm not at work.

That said...bring on Monday

 

[Missy]

The sheer amount of time I have been able to spend with my babies. Although they desperately missed school and kindergarten (both back on Monday, woo hoo!) and their extra-curricular activities, and at times I craved some 'me' time, there's something so precious about just being home together. Never rushing, never late, just time to be together. We baked, played games, watched movies, read countless books, went exploring rivers and beaches, and often just cuddled on the couch because there was nothing else to do. And we loved it. Part of me will miss my little sidekicks with me all day, every day, when I'm not at work.

That said...bring on Monday

An amazing gift @Dandi. I cannot imagine a more precious benefit to the quarantine. These memories will last a lifetime for you and your children.

 

[Austina]

As we’re both always at home, the only benefit during this time is the enormous amount of money we’ve saved on holidays that were cancelled.

The other advantage for us has been becoming better friends with a couple we’ve known for a long time, who’ve been an absolute life saver in keeping us sane.

 

[TooPatient]

DH is working from home (and loves it). Sounds like this may be able to be a permanent change. Other people who work there are selling their houses and moving to the other side of the mountains they are so sure. This has allowed us to move back to the area I would rather live in since a daily commute is very unlikely even if he changed jobs.

I know there have been others. For the most part, we have been busy taking care of health issues, working (him), graduation (me), and getting ready to move.

 

[TooPatient]

Virtual doctor appointments are awesome! I have only had to go to one in person appointment since this started. Most/all of my doctors will continue to do virtual even as they are opening in person. I don't like having to drive into Seattle so this has been great! No traffic. No paying to park. No having to show up an hour early to leave room in case of an accident blocking the road. No getting sad seeing people not much older than me struggling. No waiting forever as they are behind schedule. (Or, at least I am at home on a comfortable couch with a cup of tea if they are!) No having to block off half my day for the drive there, extra time, appointment, and drive home.

Looks like I may only need to go into Seattle once per year now!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

FI and I were just saying that if this had to happen in our lifetime, having a new baby is the time to do it. FI has not had to travel for work and works from home which is great for me. I work out of the house (healthcare) but it is amazing to have the extra help. Plus life kinda comes to a halt after having a new baby so even though me had to postpone major things (including our wedding), it seems like less of a sacrifice.

 

[Missy]

Virtual doctor appointments are awesome! I have only had to go to one in person appointment since this started. Most/all of my doctors will continue to do virtual even as they are opening in person. I don't like having to drive into Seattle so this has been great! No traffic. No paying to park. No having to show up an hour early to leave room in case of an accident blocking the road. No getting sad seeing people not much older than me struggling. No waiting forever as they are behind schedule. (Or, at least I am at home on a comfortable couch with a cup of tea if they are!) No having to block off half my day for the drive there, extra time, appointment, and drive home.

Looks like I may only need to go into Seattle once per year now!

That is awesome. I don't find the virtual appointments helpful as I always need blood work or if I don't I need hands on visual eval like with my dermatologist. So personally I find virtual appointments less helpful but for a followup re results let's say. For example I need to talk with my endocrinologist about my lab results and I requested a telemedicine call vs just a regular email or phone call if it is more complicated. This way he can bill for the visit and I don't feel guilty asking lots of questions.

 

[Missy]

FI and I were just saying that if this had to happen in our lifetime, having a new baby is the time to do it. FI has not had to travel for work and works from home which is great for me. I work out of the house (healthcare) but it is amazing to have the extra help. Plus life kinda comes to a halt after having a new baby so even though me had to postpone major things (including our wedding), it seems like less of a sacrifice.

Congrats @Tacori E-ring !!! A definite plus to the pandemic.

 

[Missy]

As we’re both always at home, the only benefit during this time is the enormous amount of money we’ve saved on holidays that were cancelled.

The other advantage for us has been becoming better friends with a couple we’ve known for a long time, who’ve been an absolute life saver in keeping us sane.

I hear you. I am a homebody at heart and it doesn't suck being at home with our husbands. But I do get restless and need to go out every day. If we can we cycle and if we cannot we walk and if we cannot do that we take a drive. That helps keep me sane. That and of course the company of my DH.

 

[TooPatient]

That is awesome. I don't find the virtual appointments helpful as I always need blood work or if I don't I need hands on visual eval like with my dermatologist. So personally I find virtual appointments less helpful but for a followup re results let's say. For example I need to talk with my endocrinologist about my lab results and I requested a telemedicine call vs just a regular email or phone call if it is more complicated. This way he can bill for the visit and I don't feel guilty asking lots of questions.

I still need blood work quarterly, but that can be done at any lab that is convenient for me. I'll still need to go in for that, but it can be 10 minutes down the road with great parking rather than in at the main specialty center.