What's something you secretly liked about quarantine?

I had my wedding during those times and that was wonderful! No guests because our families live abroad so they couldn’t come. No party, only dinner cooked by me and a cake baked by me. No spending money on unnecessary things and no noise. We had a lovely walk in the park in the evening, walking was allowed here, in Germany. Till today whoever I tell the story of my wedding, they say “I’m so sorry!” “That must have been terrible” no! That was great! And my husband (NT, but also an introvert) didn’t mind that there were just the two of us. 
In his culture the parties are even bigger than here, in Europe, so he says it’s a lot of headache when it comes. But I have beautiful traditional dresses from my mother in law, I also had one for that day. 
i also liked that shops were closed and I stopped hearing “go, buy yourself a new cloth” which I don’t like or even hate. 

Not really secret as I've told a number of people, but I really liked how everyone would keep in touch and check in on people. 

Once things opened up again, everyone seemed to want to meet up with as many people as possible. I found the number of people I could manage was drastically reduced, so going to hang out with more than about 4 people just wasn't fun. I also think everyone became so busy catching up in person, they didn't think so much about the people that weren't there in person, and generally just got busy with life. As the odd one out, I got a bit left behind.

So I miss the calls, the messages checking in, and the small social gatherings.

On the other hand, I became much closer with neighbours. We had to stay in our gardens, so we took fence panels out and would just sit out. We don't do it as much, but will still sit out sometimes, and I've relied on some of those friendships to get through some difficult times.

Overall, it feels like a net win tbh.

sitting on the bench in my garden.  Lockdown seemed to be the best Spring and Summer for a few years 

I did too - I generally don't go to the supermarket (like other shops)  other than quickly a 8pm. But wife was an at risk category, so I went a queued with a trolley round the car-park.  I think wife is glad I'm not doing it now - as I took some detours from the shopping list 

I actually liked going to the supermarket, as it was quite because they only let a small number of people in, and everyone was keeping there distance which meant other people didn’t get in my way lol. 
I also really enjoyed the first BigMac I had when McDonald’s reopened 

Yeah, that is so true. I wish more people thought that way.

I live my life by this saying-“You shouldn’t judge others because you can’t walk a mile in their shoes, you have no idea what they have been through and what they might be feeling”.

More people should think about what others might be going through. I don’t have anxiety by choice, I don’t choose to get overwhelmed and go in to meltdowns. It’s hard being autistic, no one in my life understands what it’s like. I know it could be worse but it could be a hell of a lot better.

Piper said:

Don't be too hard on yourself. Every one of us here can relate to feeling like this at the best of times. You're autistic and you are never alone in being this way.

Thank you It means so much that everyone here understands and can relate to how I am feeling.

I used to enjoy shopping in person, once, but my anxiety took over and not it's the other way round. I much more prefer and feel comfortable shopping online.

Do you do much gardening? TheCatWoman I have just started gardening. I've started a kitchen garden, a new hobby hopefully.

Exactly this. I miss that too, the norm feeling that came with it. For one time we were all the same, all in the same boat and it was the norm. It was different for most, having to stay in; but for those of us who stay in all the time it was the rest of the world joining us.

Crazy times.

No problem.:)

I've enjoyed reading your messages on this thread. It's been interesting and funny reading. I love how friendly this community is.

I realized how much I liked peace. I enjoyed quiet walks in the sunshine, as I remember a lot more sun in spring than some years. ( I do remember though one day wanting to go on a second walk and trying to reason that it was for a different purpose, as we were only supposed to do one a day). 

I enjoyed the slower pace of life, having to work from home and more time to do things like sewing. 

Not having the challenge of what to say when asked to go somewhere and socialize with lots of people.

It was our first year in a new house, so we bought seeds and grew easy plants like sunflowers to brighten things up in the garden. I also enjoyed seeing how other people had colourful gardens when I went walking.

Finding ways of solving problems ourselves, as you couldn't get someone in to fix things.

TheCatWoman said:

By the sounds of it you live in a seaside town, do you not find this with visitors?

No, I keep the hell away from them, thanks very much !! 


I can imagine the velocity with which you banged out that last comment on your keyboard & it goes some way to explaining how so many things get broken in your household. 

I shouldn't keep goading, although sometimes the temptation gets the better of me !! 

Am I indulging in US vs THEM behaviour? Really? Do you get treated like something someones stepped in because you're car's a bit old and tatty, parked next to theirs?

Do you get treated like a second class citizen because you live where you do?

Have you ever been told you've ruined someones holiday because you've asked them to put their dog on a lead?

If you had a vulnerable person at home and wore a face mask whilst at work, would you expect to be asked 'what your effing problem is, are you Welsh afraid of effing dying'? This was said to a lady who works in the garden centre? There is an attitude problem with some tourists, they always pack thier sense of entitlment and rarely thier manners. By the sounds of it you live in a seaside town, do you not find this with visitors?

Maybe you should try a summer or two here, before you cast nastursiums! People come here for a different sort of holiday than the traditional bucket and spade seaside holiday, it's more walking, bird watching, cycling and sailing here.

Secomd home owning is a massive problem as are Air B&B's, some places theres something like 80% holiday lets, people from the towns and cities think nothing of paying half a million quid for a holiday home, people living here can't compete with that sort fo buying power. Lot's of jobs round here are low paid, zero hours, seasonal ones, people go between employment in the tourist industries to unemployment like yoyo's. Overall our full time population is getting older and poorer, young people can't afford to live here and there's little work.

 Holly Jane  Sorry for hijacking your thread with this   I'd like to say we've not done it before, but I can't.   I'd also like to promise it won't happen again, but I can't do that either !  BUT it wasn't intentional, honestly 

I don't actually have dairy nor much gluten.  I do have plenty buscopan, and I did have to pinch myself when you said what you said in the previous comment.   I blame years of anxiety.

I'm actually the sort of person that if someone says 'send 1 picture' there will be 10 and if someone wants 10 there will be 100.  It's the way my mind works.  I haven't figured out why.  I suppose it's because I think if one is good then 100 must be brilliant, right?  

Yeah, normally they have old planes from WW2 and even the Red Arrows which you've likely  heard of (or can Google / watch on YouTube).  Airshow week gets seriously busy, but fortunately I can see all that from my window !   I'm not going near thousands of people for the sakes of planes. 

I think it is worse because most of the people wandering around walk like NTs.  You know?  They wander.  They amble.  They don't have a purpose or plan.   They clog up the pavements and get in the way!!   If they were all ND they'd probably all walk quicker and we'd all be much happier.  I mean, if I lived in ND town it would be brilliant, but you have to share 

So yeah, I'll go to parts of town that aren't busy with tourists or at times of day when they are mostly in bed.  Or when its raining !!  That keeps them away 

Beaches, like the countryside, can be beautiful.  As soon as loads of people arrive its spoiled. 

overwhelmed & underwhelmed ( O & U ) said:

In fact, if it wasn't for all the people it would be a great place to live

Lol my thoughts exactly  I see so many nice places and just think if only it was peopleless lmao.

Luckily where I am it's mostly people free, just see some hikers during nicer months.

The air show sounds impressive where you are. I have an interest in planes, not sure why I just think they are remarkably cool - terrifying too, I would never fly lol but I think they are fab machines.

When my town gets busy I try to avoid it, the noise and amount of people can be too overwhelming to cope with. I don't want a meltdown in front of everyone! Do you stay in when it's busy, or brave the crowds?

overwhelmed & underwhelmed ( O & U ) said:

I'm going to have to search for gluten-free ice cream down there now (really haven't seen it) but I've seen gluten free batter in the fish & chip shops so probably....   

Definitely do. It still tastes really good.... And no icky side effects, usually! 

No one can resist towels and umbrellas lmao 

The rainbow coloured ones are the best!!!

We'll need a collage of pics! Then we can send them off for judging for sand castle competitions!!! 

Everything,  especially the increases payments on universal credit.

I think I miss that my way of being became more normal. Everybody was staying in. There weren't lots of social events that I was missing or feeling left out from (conflicting feeling - I don't actually want to go but it would be nice to feel that others wanted me to go). I didn't feel as different.

August said:

Finally I could be myself and didn’t have to ‘Act’ a certain way

My fave part of that dreadful time as well - being free to be myself without the fear of being judged. I miss that. People can be very judging, not taking the time to think about how you're really feeling and struggling.

I liked not being allowed out as well. I’ve never been much outgoing and places with tons of people have always been a big No-No for me so being confined to my own home was pure heaven.

Holly Jane 

I feel like you have to be ND to truly appreciate how it feels. It's easy to see somebody who's different and instantly judge them without taking the time to appreciate what they're thinking and feeling. Most people judge without considering what someone is going through.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Every one of us here can relate to feeling like this at the best of times. You're autistic and you are never alone in being this way.

It seemed quieter and less hectic, people kept their distance and seemed more respectful or were "nicer" some how.What I did enjoy was the battle to find staple foods like pasta, rice, tinned stuff. I worked all the way through and I did envy the nonessential folk that got to sit in the sunshine.

I work in wholesale and the "toilet roll" panic buying was quite baffling, we'd sell 24 full pallets of the stuff in under 2 hours, day in and day out for weeks on end.

They still do all the things you'd associate with the seaside.  We have all of it, and more.  We have one of those massive observation wheels too.  We have an Air Show every year and a Carnival with a week's worth of events including digging things up in the sand.  This town even has it's own Pride event. 

Sandcastles?   Not a problem.  

In fact, if it wasn't for all the people it would be a great place to live   In truth, when the holidaymakers go home, it's just like anywhere else - and it's actually very peaceful in the Winter.  

I'm going to have to search for gluten-free ice cream down there now (really haven't seen it) but I've seen gluten free batter in the fish & chip shops so probably....   

Who can resist towels and umbrellas?  I should be so lucky ! 

I've got a funny feeling that one photo isn't going to be enough !  

My brother liked that side of it too. I have to admit I have never been able to work, but I enjoyed not having to go out to the shops mostly.