I'm scared of posting too many details for fear of self doxing. But I am that guy who N95s indoors everywhere. I never unmask except in front of my partner, who also is careful. I put HEPA filters in my classroom. I also avoid unnecessary indoor activities, like cinemas, gyms and indoor sports. If there's an interesting event but there's no ventilation and no one is masking, I'll give it a pass.

There's been some positives. I'm way more self confident than I used to be, knowing deeply how shitty and ignorant the average normie is. I used to always second guess myself, and now I don't. I also spend way less money, as I don't dine nor holiday. COVID pushed me far into tankie territory, and opened my mind into better understating patriarchy and white supremacy.

Also ya, I don't get sick ever.

However, I'm such a different person today. I'm not the sweet chatty person I was in 2019. I had an almost femme twang in my voice back then, and now I'm just a ragged pissed off uncle.

One huge disadvantage is that I'm such a media consuming person. Pre covid, I'd avoid TV and games. Now it's all I do. I've become the kind of person that needs someone on in order to eat or sleep. I used to fucking hate these people, and now I've become that person.

The other huge problem is that my work productivity is way lower. I used to finish everything up in a coffee shop, now obviously I can't do that. I can definitely do more in my job and in my org. I regret that I've become, honestly, maybe a bit lazy.

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[–] FunkyStuff@hexbear.net 18 points 3 months ago (1 children)

100% in the same boat, but I've always consumed too much media too. I think that whole part of not spending any money is a huge upside though. In my case I'm not working yet but it does add some considerable friction to the process of trying to get hired, and I can't stop thinking about how much easier life would be if I "went back to normal" (well, easier until I have permanent organ damage from catching COVID).

The part that hurts the most is how many social relations I've missed out on from being the only one who's still always inside. I probably could've met a lot of awesome people in the last 3 years.

[–] ButtBidet@hexbear.net 18 points 3 months ago (4 children)

Tbh I'm pretty lucky that I'm already in my forties. I don't need any new relationships, and I had a steady job before covid hit. I do worry about applying with my mask, tho.

I can't say it enough, the young are getting the worst end of everything now 😔

[–] JoeByeThen@hexbear.net 18 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I'd resigned myself to staying single for a few years, but we're on the 6th year and I'd really like some irl friends that get what's going on. I joined a still coviding group on fb, but I'm so burnt out on people that I can't get myself to get involved. Doesn't help that since I'm in florida a big chunk of conversations in the group talk about how to safely go to theme parks. 😬

[–] ButtBidet@hexbear.net 12 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I joined a still coviding group on fb

Sorry I need to whinge that the admin of that group, Cat, banned me for sheer liberalism. She went to a bunch of private posh schools, so for sure she's part of the bourgeoisie.

Not that you can't meet friends there, but ffs the leaders are shitbags.

Sorry comrade. If you were here, I'd let you crash here for free for a month.

[–] JoeByeThen@hexbear.net 5 points 3 months ago

Dang, sorry to hear that. There's a bunch of groups out there, including local. But yeah, it's facebooks so.🤷 doggirl-gloom

I appreciate the thought. meow-hug

[–] nothx@hexbear.net 16 points 3 months ago

Yeah, I’m closer to 40 than 30 now and married to someone who sees the world pretty similarly to how I do. We are both indoor cats and fine with it, but younger generations who haven’t been able to have the same experiences in their 20s that I did are losing out for sure.

[–] Hermes@hexbear.net 12 points 3 months ago (1 children)

As someone who is much younger than most of the people in this thread, I am in hell. Its been more than a year since I had friends, and I have no real hope for relationships.

[–] CptKrkIsClmbngThMntn@hexbear.net 7 points 3 months ago

meow-hug

[–] hogslayer@hexbear.net 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm already in my forties. I don't need any new relationships

why does being in your 40's mean you don't need any new relationships?

Personally, I'm in my mid 30's and been all alone since I was a teenager. I'm really tired of it but I'm not good at meeting people and there's so few ways to even do that anymore (other than go to a bar and hope I fit in with people there?)

[–] ButtBidet@hexbear.net 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I mean, I can and would like new friendships, but not at the expense of my physical health or my sanity at having to deal with callousness. In middle age, I'm a lot more tired all the time. My main feeling is just that I'd like to rest.

I feel for you. It's not easy making friendships in the car centric hell-hole that is much of the West. People's lack of time and money doesn't help, nor the ideal of assigning value to people based upon income level.

Finding a common i interest group can help. So can joining an org. When I was your age, I found a niche in a lot of the vegan scene, although I've dropped it recently due to the levels of liberalism that a lot of the people had.

Sorry. It's not your fault.

[–] hogslayer@hexbear.net 2 points 2 months ago

People's lack of time and money doesn't help, nor the ideal of assigning value to people based upon income level.

yeah, knowing that my value in a lot of people's eyes is tied to my income level sucks and is discouraging, especially wrt the dating/romance/sex world

Finding a common i interest group can help.

I've considered that, but there isn't much in my city and traveling to a real city is very difficult. I honestly just need to find a way to move.

Sorry. It's not your fault.

thank you :)