Yahoo Lifestyle 16 Jaw-Dropping Ways People's Lives Have Changed For Better (or Worse) Since The Pandemic Started
It goes without saying that so much has changed since 2020. So when Reddit user PsychologicalSize939 asked: "How have you changed as a person from 2020 to 2024?" a lot of people provided vulnerable stories. Here's what they said below.
1."I've gotten more isolated. My company went remote when COVID hit. Since then, they've sublet the office space we were in, so we've been 100% remote ever since. I've gotten really comfortable not being in contact with other people. Maybe too comfortable, I think sometimes."
"Same. I was in university during that time (and still am) and kind of forgot that meeting new people is something I used to do. The desire has vanished, and I'm not even sure how I would approach it.
Meeting and talking to people is not a problem, but how do you actually stay in contact? Do I ask them out on a date? Do I just text them random bullshit? It used to just happen when I had an established social circle around me."
2."I had brain surgery and stopped having undiagnosed strokes in 2021. My life is a million times better."
3."Gone from completely in love and my mum being alive to being heartbroken, and my mum is gone. Hasn’t been great."
"I feel you. I lost someone close to me, and an important relationship ended about a year ago. Just now, it is starting to get better. I lost parts of me, but I am rebuilding to make sure I am better and stronger. Time heals all, even when you don't want it to."
4."I feel like I have lived four different lives."
5."From 2020 to 2024, I learned to take things slower and appreciate the small moments. Before, I was always rushing, but the world slowing down taught me the value of patience and self-care. I'm definitely more introspective and a lot less about the hustle and more about making meaningful connections and contributions."
6."Well, I found out I have ADHD and autism. I quit smoking nicotine in 2021. I find life harder to cope with, but I'm getting there."
"I got tested for autism and showed ADHD traits. I began noticing that I may have it, too, when my boyfriend began his ADHD meds. I haven't been able to take any medicine for it yet, namely due to health issues, but it can make a world of difference even by knowing why you're functioning the way you're functioning."
7."I am so jaded now. I have no faith in people."
8."No longer a people-pleaser. Bye codependency."
"I don't know if you were also an over-apologizer, but for anyone reading who is, I've learned to say thank you instead of sorry for every little thing, and it helps a lot to become less apologetic and more intentional with your actual apologies. For example, instead of 'Sorry I'm late,' try 'Thank you for your patience,' etc."
9."I got diagnosed bipolar and got it treated effectively and appropriately. My wife did the same. Stopped using drugs and gained the 25 lbs I was missing. We paid off $11k in mania debt and saved $10k. I got a job paying $50k a year more and moved out of an RV and an apartment. Now, we are applying to buy a house. Wow, I haven’t put it all down in one place like that before. That feels good."
10."I’m not an alcoholic anymore, so that’s very enough for me."
"I cut out the alcohol more than 18 months ago, and it was honestly the best thing I could have done for myself. I'm cheering you on from this corner of the internet!"
11."In 2020, I was a 23-year-old college dropout without a plan other than to hopefully save up enough working at Guitar Center to move out of my folks’ basement. No dreams, just kicking it from day to day. Yesterday, I graduated Cum Laude in accounting. Don’t have a job yet, so I’m just a bartender right now, but I’m full of hope. I proved to myself that I could face my fears and flaws and push past them. Most of all, I’m proud of what I’ve done. I didn’t have that back then."
12."I worked as a 'frontline' professional during COVID in Brazil. Seeing young people my age dying really affected me. Today, I live in the present without depression or anxiety. I got to know the best and worst of human beings. I saw professionals doing everything for patients and politicians delaying vaccination, among many other things."
13."2020: With my ex, living in a tiny, dingy town with no family or friends. My ex was a cop, so he was home only half the time and asleep when he was, and I was working as a brand new teacher and on my master's. I was struggling so badly mentally, too, as my grandma passed away in late 2019, and I was going through a nasty custody battle. Broken, depressed, and defeated."
"2024: I moved back home in 2021. I’ve owned my house for three years. I'm five years into my career. I own my car, won my custody battle 50/50, and am planning my wedding with my absolutely wonderful fiancé who has worked with me so hard to help me fix my mental health. Healing, happy, and healthy."
14."I tell people the lockdown in 2020 is the only reason I'm still a teacher. In March of '20, I was on the verge of burning out. Then the lockdown happened, and I took the time between March and August to really think about teaching and what I needed to do to continue — even what my options were. Add in some truly terrible events while we were hybrid, and I'm a very different teacher. Before the lockdown, I came in early, left late, worried and stressed, and drove myself half mad, giving 110%. Now, that kid who doesn't want to work? That parent who thinks they can scream at me? That admin who thinks they can demand certain things in my room? I shrug and walk away. I do my job, then go home to my real life. Seventy percent is still passing, and it gives the same results."
15."I've been in public health for nearly two decades. We were always treated like we were worthless. When the pandemic hit, for a second, I thought people saw our value not only in public health but science. Those were the golden years (pre-COVID) — as now, with the incoming administration and anti-intellectualism, we're so screwed. What's changed? I've lost all hope."
16."I lost both parents four years apart, got diagnosed with a learning disability that served as a roadblock for years, moved away from the state where I lived for 31 years, got a dream job where people like what I bring to the table and appreciate my skills, and my ability to handle life has grown by leaps and bounds. 2019 couldn't hold a candle to 2024 me."
Have you changed as a person since 2020? Tell us how and why in the comments below.
