Thanks for sharing the links. The Northern Ireland tale inspired me to revisit my Covid years diaries, which for me paint a vivid illustration of the impact of the chronic stress induced by the pandemic response on one individual (me). I finally did succumb to Covid infection once my stress was in great part alleviated by the govt overturning of their decision on vaccine mandates. Personally, I found it a relief to finally experience the infection. I think I will have to write up parts of these diaries (though they are a bit monotonous) as it is one thing to say 'I was very stressed about the vaccine mandates', but quite another to read my day to day descriptions of the nightmares, early wakening, hair falling out and complete pre-occupation. I can't quite believe it happened the way it did.
I often thought it would be good to write about my experience of these years. Maybe I will, I did not keep a specific diary, but events will be in my timeline.
My dad kept a diary during WW2 (from 12-17 years old). His regret was that he wrote more about the military movements rather than every day life and events, which would have been far more interesting.
My mother had sent me a 3 year 'thought a day' diary for Christmas 2019, which was serendipitous timing. I think because I only had space for a couple of lines it really is just a distillation of thoughts. If I hadn't recorded them as they happened I am sure I would have blocked most of it from memory as it is so unpleasant to remember.
I have always considered myself fairly mentally resilient and able to cope well with quite significant stressors, but I'm not actually sure how things would have panned out had the mandate threat not been lifted in January 2022. It wasn't the virus that scared me, it was the response. One of the more dizzying aspects was observing how easy it is to manipulate the populace to turn against their own, how solid trustworthy scientists and physicians can be ostracised from the group for standing by the same scientific principles they have always followed...and how very few people can be relied on to stand up and speak the truth.
Thanks for sharing the links. The Northern Ireland tale inspired me to revisit my Covid years diaries, which for me paint a vivid illustration of the impact of the chronic stress induced by the pandemic response on one individual (me). I finally did succumb to Covid infection once my stress was in great part alleviated by the govt overturning of their decision on vaccine mandates. Personally, I found it a relief to finally experience the infection. I think I will have to write up parts of these diaries (though they are a bit monotonous) as it is one thing to say 'I was very stressed about the vaccine mandates', but quite another to read my day to day descriptions of the nightmares, early wakening, hair falling out and complete pre-occupation. I can't quite believe it happened the way it did.
I often thought it would be good to write about my experience of these years. Maybe I will, I did not keep a specific diary, but events will be in my timeline.
My dad kept a diary during WW2 (from 12-17 years old). His regret was that he wrote more about the military movements rather than every day life and events, which would have been far more interesting.
My mother had sent me a 3 year 'thought a day' diary for Christmas 2019, which was serendipitous timing. I think because I only had space for a couple of lines it really is just a distillation of thoughts. If I hadn't recorded them as they happened I am sure I would have blocked most of it from memory as it is so unpleasant to remember.
I have always considered myself fairly mentally resilient and able to cope well with quite significant stressors, but I'm not actually sure how things would have panned out had the mandate threat not been lifted in January 2022. It wasn't the virus that scared me, it was the response. One of the more dizzying aspects was observing how easy it is to manipulate the populace to turn against their own, how solid trustworthy scientists and physicians can be ostracised from the group for standing by the same scientific principles they have always followed...and how very few people can be relied on to stand up and speak the truth.
Fully with you.