Flying to reach family & friends who are not nearby (Father is aged and in relative solitude), nevermind going on holidays but in the scheme of things latter not the end of the world considering all the wonders all within a 2 hr drive of where I live

All in all, we're very fortunate so I don't complain much but it does give you some perspective on life priorities - that's probably also one of the unforeseen positives to come out of the confinement era

I miss my parents. I come from an island so its not easy to go see them

I miss my five friends who died of this terrible disease.

I miss being able to be spontaneous, to be able to do things without having to plan it all carefully in advance.

So sorry to hear Meloncollie. Yes, I have several friends who have very sick parents and friends abroad (not from Covid) and just cannot go and see them- and actually don't know if they will ever see them again. Others who have not been able to attend funerals, or see new born grandchildren.


For me, Covid and Brexit are turning our lives upside down and it is very unsettling. Thank goodness, no serious illness (after a big scare 3 years ago)- but what I miss is 'freedom' to roam. When we moved here- it was just 'down the road' from the UK - 1 day by car or train- or a short flight and car rental. NO borders, NO restrictions. It didn't feel as though we were moving abroad at all - not much further than if we moved to Scotland. Suddenly, it feels as if we could be on the other side of the moon- very unsettling indeed- and desperate to see grandchildren growing up fast, and soon a foster grandchild we will not get to know.


As Belgianmum says- before we could just say hey, let's jump in the car and go - to France, to Italy - and mainly to UK where we have all our family and a second home too (which has been standing empty since last November!).

As above, travel & family!

I crossed the Atlantic last summer and visited the family, so fine from that side. My concerns are 1st world problems: the short ski season from last winter and uncertainties on the oncoming one, and cancelled concerts.

I’m still waiting for a number of refunds. I miss my money.

I agree those are 1st world problems, but at the same time you're still facing a different world from the one you're accustomed to. That takes some adjusting.

I'm an introvert by nature, so I can't relate. But - I have many extrovert friends who previously had busy social schedules with lunch dates, movies, concerts, ski groups, kids' activities, etc. The impact on their psychological well-being is real.

I relate to many posters above with travel and family. Once a year is simply not sufficient for me to see family.

For me apart from wearing a mask when I go to Aldi nothing has changed. Still unemployed and still broke while stuck in a one room pokey hole under the roof all by my onesies and looking at EF for a bit of light entertainment.

Hang in there, slammer!

As much as I appreciate the increased face-to-face with family, I miss the work travel actually. It's so hard to keep things running remotely and I'm wondering if we won't start seeing business relationships starting to fall apart in the coming months. Having cultivated customer relationships for years and seeing them crumble will not be easy to digest

I miss greeting people in formal situations with a handshake, and in friendships, with a hug.

Yep, we’d have been in the car like a shot and off to the UK to see new twin baby grandsons had Boris not chosen that exact moment to put Switzerland on the quarantine list.

1. I work for a start-up and my desk is in an awesome coworking space. People from all over the world come and meet there... the place organizes great events with hundreds of attendees. Havent been there since March except to pick up the post. I miss working with colleagues in the same location and not just remotely.



2. I miss my social life. I enjoy to go to expat meetups to meet old friends and make new ones. Obviously that didnt happen for most of the year.



3. 2020 was the year I had for once my vacations planned (and paid) ahead of time. Several "trip of a lifetime" moments lined up... and all were cancelled or moved for a year or two. So yes, I miss the possibility to travel where I want to go.

Me too. Social life has become really awkward.

One thing I do take from all this is that our "rights" are in fact "privileges" that can be removed at any time.

Social life as it has been before ......the carelessness of our meetings with friends, the hugs and kisses amongst family.

But most of all, I for one hate the masks, since they cut me off the general public and social interactions even more.

"Gring ache u seckle" or Gritting my teeth and hope for better times, in the meantime adhering to any and all 'security measures', even when playing hostess with the mostest.

This too, shall pass, it just takes a little longer than anticipated!

I have had to cancel two trips over the past year to visit my aging mother with dementia in the US. During this time her mental state has degraded to the point that she no longer recognizes who I am on the phone. I have essentially seen her for the last time, although she is still living.

Family and friends, most of all. Skiing and giving full blown concerts and performances, big ones like Royal Albert Hall. Large venues and the spirit of many happy people together.

Then the feeling of security of being able to go to work tomorrow and seeing the same people. One never knows when quarantine hits. Not worrying about the dearests ones getting sick. Climbing and boxing without worrying about contact, packed gyms with supportive spirits and no anxiousness. Less anxiety and panic in media and social platforms. Planning projects and adventures without this constant..."what-if". The time when single parenting was easier, not thinking about getting ill, incapacitated or solo-responsible in a situation when being helped can endanger others.

__________________
"L'homme ne peut pas remplacer son coeur avec sa tete, ni sa tete avec ses mains." J.H. Pestalozzi

“The only difference between a rut and a grave is a matter of depth.” S.P. Cadman

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." A. Einstein