Ask HN: How are you? How did the pandemic affect you?

[Oaknice]

Also mention anything positive or negative from the pandemic.

Positive:

- Spent more time with my SO and kids

- Stopped going to hairdresser and saved money. I use an electric clipper instead

- re-evaluated my priorities (work/life balance)

- DIY

- Healthy eating

Negative:

- the pandemic duh

- harder to make new friends

- limited hobbies and travel

[bad_username]

The world's response to the pandemic undermined my belief that the human civilization can handle an existential crisis rationally and efficiently. Covid is of course nowhere near an existential crisis. But still, we so readily plunged ourselves into an irrational, politicized, polarized, radicalized, univariate, low-resolution mess, that if the real s*t hits the fan, I am not sure we stand a chance. I never lost so much trust in so many people, institutions, things and concepts at such a rapid pace. The fragility of our humanity became to me acutely apparent.

[lborsato]

It’s as if a majority lost the ability to think critically, choosing instead to tilt at the windmills of incessant fear propaganda from media/social media, usually lacking any context to assuage that fear.

[throwaway24124]

2020 was an anxious blur that broke me. 2021 I took my mental and physical health much more seriously, found a great psychiatrist and began medication, found a much higher paying job at a fully remote company, and am now the fittest I’ve ever been in my life.

[patatino]

Nice turnaround, I am happy for you. It takes courage change.

[mikewarot]

I got sick last March, before testing was a thing, I've had long Covid type symptoms ever since, had all the tests, in theory I'm normal... but get winded super easy.

My skillset is ancient, my favorite language is Pascal, never liked C/C++, which seems to have eaten the world. I'm not sure how I'm going to get back into the world of the working (from home).

0 of 5 stars, would not buy again.

[Oaknice]

What are the symptoms you have? is it like feel tired all the time?

[mikewarot]

I get tired easily, but that could be almost anything. The show stopper is the shortness of breath that happens even after talking for more than a few minutes, or walking a block or two. Shopping for groceries does me in for the day.

[kowlo]

I left my job, and despite receiving great offers and opportunities (over 6 figures), I haven't taken another salaried position.

I can't bring myself to dedicate 7-8 hours a day to:

- work on some relatively insignificant problem,

- fill shareholder pockets,

- be away from my family.

[Oaknice]

Have the same feeling, but unfortunately I have a family to feed. I wish I could just take a year off and do absolutely nothing.

What alternative do you have?