I don’t want things to go “back to normal,” and lately I’ve been reading what feels like a lot of disingenuous arguments for reopening “for people’s mental health.” As someone who was suffering from the way things were before and is now thriving from the slowdown (both in work and personal life), I wish we could all stop pretending like we were living in some mental health utopia before the shut down.

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Agreed. I have time and energy to be physically and mentally healthier. Dropped 7 pounds, restarted regular therapy, reconnected with old friends and am building a better relationship with my family.

I don’t want to go back to the old normal.

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I hope what happens is we recognize that different people thrive under different work circumstances and companies look for ways to structure jobs accordingly. I’m in the camp of people doing just fine working from home. I also know plenty of people at my firm can absolutely not wait until they can come back into the office. I am hoping we can accommodate both sides. I will be happier and healthier working from home regularly. (not to mention all the gas money I am saving!) Other people just don’t do well for whatever reason. Introverts vs extroverts I guess. I think our firm is on board with the idea. I think it could save them money in the long run as well, because they could dramatically reduce their real estate footprint if only 50% of people need to work at the office. And great employees will no longer have to quit if they have to move to a new city for some reason, that could save a ton in turnover costs. Could be a win-win-win scenario!

likeuplifting

I hope so, too.

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Same. My mental health has increased significantly and my work has even agreed to adopt a flexible WFH policy when we open back up. Before anyone jumps down my throat about all of the ramifications this slowdown has had on the economy - I get it, I sincerely do. I am talking about an improvement in mental health and mental health only.

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Okay that’s great, but some people were mentally healthier before lockdown started. One size does not fit all.

Please be respectful of the fact that people are different and mental health is impacted by factors specific to the individual. One person may thrive with it, while others struggle.

likesmart

okie dokie artichokie

Disagree. Growth and progress must continue. We have to let people make decisions for themselves. If things reopen, nothing will stop you from living the way you do now in quarantine.

likesmart

@S&S OP, Your second paragraph makes sense and I agree with that. The pressure to succeed is exhausting. I imagine if I were not feeling that now it would be a relief as well.

Unfortunately, I didn’t understand that this was the intent behind your original post. Now that I do, it makes more sense to me.

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I don’t miss the office at all, and I certainly don’t miss the subway ride to get there. I really like setting my own room temperature, having lots of personal space, and not wearing shoes for the entire day.

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I’m not saying I want lockdowns to continue, I’m just saying that they aren’t 100% negative for everyone’s mental health. Ideally everyone could do what works for them, but in reality it never happens that way.

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I’m not really sure what you’re trying to argue for OP. I don’t know the statistics, but I’m quite sure it’s a small minority who are mentally/emotionally better off in quarantine than how we lived our lives before. Are you saying we should adjust the way our world functions going forward to ensure that small minority is better off?
I’m just not really sure that’s reasonable or practical; I think this is going to come down to personal responsibility and making adjustments for yourself to maintain this healthier lifestyle going forward.

likesmart

M1 I totally hear you. I really want those things. I desperately hope I get to keep those things.

But the dialogue surrounding reopening makes me fear for those things, and gives me no reason to think I’ll get to keep those things.

Do you understand? Especially in the face of the pressure I’ve described elsewhere? I don’t think PRE-QUARANTINE was great, I don’t think QUARANTINE is great, but I want to keep the good that quarantine has, in fact, yielded. This down time. I’m a better employee, a better worker, a better wife and family member than I was before. I don’t want the unyielding pressure just to keep my head above water. Now that my head is above water, and I’m thriving, I don’t want to be punished when we go back.

I guess what I’m asking for and the “point” of this post, is like, please. PLEASE. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water just because you want to “reopen”. And be genuine with your reasons for reopening. Don’t lie and say it’s for the good of all of our mental health. For people with a vested interest in reopening over the value of human life and the quality of life, I hope your death grip on our society has loosened somewhat. When people say that they’re suffering under lockdown, I believe them. And I hope their suffering has given them some insight into the suffering of others.

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For parents who have to home-school while still paying school/college tuition, it is less of a dream scenario

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I can’t relate, and I’m truly sorry it’s so hard. I want you to have the support you need while you get through this crisis.

covid19 hits and suddenly the fattest nation on earth is all of a sudden health conscious and MUST exercise outdoors. You can workout inside too.

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