2020 was a very interesting year, to say the least. It held many happy moments, quite a few shocking ones and some really emotional ones. I don’t quite think that any of us will ever really live down that year! For me, personally, it was a good year despite the pandemic. Although, there were quite a few moments that had me feeling frustrated. I don’t regret anything that happened, because everything we go through is a learning curve. I do wish that my mood had stayed consistent throughout the year, but that is merely wishful thinking. No one’s mood can stay consistent for that long!
Since this may be the very last month we get to milk the heck out of 2020, I’ve decided to share my frustrations with you. I can’t promise that this will be the last time you hear of the year, but for now let’s assume it is.
Here’s what frustrated me most about the 2020 pandemic:

No takeout
This one is definitely a ‘first world problem’ considering that it was for the safety of the restaurant employees. Hmmm… is it still a first world problem if you live in a third world country? Anyways, I get it, I really do, but that didn’t make it any easier to internalize. You see, I’m all about takeout… It’s easy, convenient, and can be healthy if you are selective of where you order from. Living with my dad, we had to cook every single meal that we ate, save on special occasions. And that often meant cooking for more than ten people at once! So obviously it got boring very fast – but I digress.
Safety – yes, that’s where we were. I know it was to keep the restaurant staff safe from the virus. But what I couldn’t figure out was if the grocery stores were open, why couldn’t they sell hot food? Having a toddler home while still trying to work a very demanding job was tough was rough. I’m not proud of it, but I found myself serving yogurt or fruits as meals because I just didn’t have the time!
I was quite happy to stay indoors indefinitely, but it would’ve been nice if I could’ve ordered some sushi with it.
People trying to touch my daughter in the middle of a pandemic
I did try to keep my daughter home for the most part. But there were times when I had to take her out with me. In those times, there was almost always someone who tried to test my patience. One thing I have never quite understood is why people think that they can just walk up to a stranger’s child and attempt to pick her up. Now add a pandemic to that and you will have one hellish mama!
In case you were wondering, my daughter, is the only person I would kill for. So every time I saw someone try to touch her face, play with her hair, or even pick her up, the monster in me awakened. Now that life is slowly going back to normal, I find this happening a whole lot more. And with every new attempt, I become more and more irritated and vocal. Leave my child alone!
Level 5 pandemic restrictions
Level 5 of lockdown was the hardest for me to deal with. It wasn’t because I couldn’t see my friends… I barely have any here in South Africa. It wasn’t because my husband and I couldn’t go on date nights… We both prefer staying indoors anyway. What I struggled with most was that my routine was thrown off. For someone whose emotions are easily rocked, I struggled with how everything changed overnight to become a never-ending weekend.
If you don’t already know, I have a toxic relationship with food – surprise! I’ve been able to keep it under control by exercising quite a bit and staying busy, but the unavoidable pandemic caused me to take a few steps backward. Many of you might think I’m being dramatic, but this was probably the hardest challenge I ever had to face. With no exercise to turn to, I felt the insecurities with my body come back with full force. On any other day, my busy days would have kept me moving, but in the heart of the pandemic, the most exercise I got was the walk from the couch to the loo, or to the kitchen. On top of that, my husband and I had just moved to a one-bedroom apartment just a week before the lockdown was imposed!
My personal projects were put on hold
Many small business owners were forced to close down for the pandemic, and I really do feel bad for them. On the flip side, when you are a consumer that relies on these businesses, things can get frustrating! One particular project that my husband and I had going on was building our first home. Knowing that our project was put on hold with no definite conclusion date was a difficult pill to swallow. I found myself feeling more and more anxious with each passing day.
We had also conveniently downgraded our rental place to a tiny one-bedroom apartment. Under normal circumstances, just having somewhere to sleep at night was more than enough. But when you literally have to spend twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in a space large enough for just a bed and a couch, it gets rough. And to make matters worse, we were still paying the mortgage on a half-built property while paying rent!
Being the statistic in the pandemic
This one really sucked. It was not fun at all, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy! Catching CoVID-19 was bound to happen, but how we got it was something that frustrated me. We had been very diligent with staying indoors and avoiding contact with other people. We even ordered our groceries online to avoid going anywhere! But that didn’t keep us safe from those vicious germs.
Compared to many people around the globe, I do think that we were lucky enough to have mild symptoms. Trust me, I do not take that for granted. But when you do everything right, and still get it, that is really annoying! I think what frustrates me most is that some people don’t follow the necessary precautions because they aren’t afraid of getting ill. What they forget is that they can make others ill who may not react as well to it! So even after getting CoVID-19, here I am wearing masks and depleting my natural body oils with sanitiser. And guess what; it’s not for me, it’s for the other people who might not react so well to the virus!
I realise now that my blood is beginning to boil, so I’ll stop the rant here and leave the floor to you.
Not being able to get away from home and spend time at the library was very frustrating for me. The library was my escape before, but it’s been closed since February 2020. They reopened but you have to book a spot which hardly seems worth it to me.
I’m stuck at home now, with a loud, crazy 4-year old who doesn’t leave me alone and a loud husband who doesn’t understand how the volume on the TV works; he cranks it all the way up. I can hear the TV through the walls and can’t get any work done. I’m constantly finding myself yelling at my family and I feel like momzilla. Some days I plop my kid in front of the TV which makes me feel guilty…. she’s better off at daycare but daycare is expensive, so she stays home with me now.
Ouch that sounds rough! I completely understand though because for a few months I was trying to work with a needy 2 year old who throws tantrums or eats toilet brushes if she doesn’t get attention. Hang in there! And maybe even consider the splurge on daycare. It’s a lifesaver!
Once I start working, she will be going back to daycare. We looked at the option of sending her to daycare in the meantime, but decided to save the money instead. We’re trying to save everything we can this month, and daycare costs almost as much as rent.
If you happen to know any activities that keeps your toddler occupied for at least half an hour, please let me know. Play-doh seems to work but it makes a big mess. Coloring only keeps my kid occupied for maybe 10 minutes. She likes to cut up paper (safety scissors of course) into a million pieces and scatter those pieces all over the floor. 🤦♀️
You know, I had never thought about the cost of daycare in comparison to rent… it really is expensive! I’ve always looked at it as school fees, because they do follow a curriculum where my 2 year old goes and it is worth my sanity and her development. Unfortunately I don’t know how to keep a kid busy for 30 minutes without involving a screen or paint🙈
Having to go without a set routine is never helpful for anyone trying to get into a habit like eating healthy. It was never helpful for me either. That sucks that you had to deal with the virus. I’m glad you got through it 😊
Yeah it was rough, you def know what I’m talking about! I’m glad you’ve gotten through it too 💖
Whatever people say 2020 was a good year for me. I know we faced and still facing many difficulties but we have also learned many things. I could start my blog was really a blessing for me. But there are some things that frustrated me a lot and the thing that irritates me the most now that I missed a whole year at school. I know we still studied online but there’s a huge difference between online and offline classes. I’m in 11th grade and after passing 10th, the study level suddenly increased and I still worry about that.
But I’m glad that situations are getting better and now I can attend school. It’s like we’re starting again😊
Gosh I can only imagine how bad it must’ve been not knowing how your studies were gonna go. Congrats on passing to the next grade!
Yeah..
Thanks!
I always find it creepy when random strangers touch/pick-up children in public. I really don’t know how parents are comfortable with that. Even if a child is around me and wants to interact, I make sure to do it without going near them (Like smiling at them or making funny faces or showing them things on my phone from a far). I can’t believe people would touch your baby in the middle of the pandemic. I can imagine how frustrating that might have been.
I quit my job in January’20 to travel for 6months – but by the time my notice period was over we were locked down. It’s been so frustrating to not have been able to travel in almost a whole year. I crave it so much. 🥺
Yes it is very creepy! And annoying. And I considerate!
I’m sorry you ended up missing all that travel. I hope you’re able to get some air time this year! 💖
Wow, picking up kids pandemic or not is not cool. And hang in there, this pandemic cannot last forever. We all have different challenges in the last year and each is valid. I hope we can all stay safe and healthy until vaccines work.
Right? I am almost certain that I will soon go to prison for assault one of these days. I hope you guys stay safe!
It’s interesting that you couldn’t get takeout. Here, some restaurants closed for takeout while they got themselves organized in the early days, but only for a few weeks. Fast food, like the good old McDonald’s where my daughter works, stayed open for drive-thru and Uber the whole time.
For me, the lack of singing is my biggest frustration. I miss the choir. I miss jamming with my friends. Singing is so good for mental health. I miss it so much. Sadly, it will be one of the last things to return. In the meantime, I will keep pouring all my creative energy into my blog. 😀
You are so lucky to have had the restaurants open! I wouldn’t eat McDonalds if my life depended on it 🙈 but it would’ve been nice to have the option lol
Ha ha. I’m not a big fan of McDonald’s either. When my kids were small, we used to go there maybe 3 or 4 times a year. My daughter has worked there for over 2 years now so I occasionally make a trip through the drive thru when I drop her off. When our lockdown first started, we assumed they’d close. We actually found the fact that they were deemed “essential” quite amusing.
Essential my foot 🤦🏾♀️ did your daughter have to work through the pandemic? 😟
Yes. She has been working more hours than ever because a lot of their staff decided they didn’t want to take the risk of working with the public. I’m glad she is still working or she’d be bored stiff because all of her school activities aren’t happening.
I’m so sorry that you caught covid after being so careful, the same thing happened to my cousin and it’s just such an annoying situation when you’ve done everything to prevent it <3
Caroline | https://envirolineblog.com
Yeah it’s frustrating! But I guess we are lucky to have gotten it and survived to tell the tale. Please keep safe!
I never understood why people think it’s okay to touch other people’s kids! I would be cussing them out especially during this pandemic. I have been frustrated by people not wearing masks properly and not keeping appropriate distances. As someone who would suffer devastating consequences if I caught COVID-19 I speak up to anyone who is too close to me and tell them to back off and give me space and/or wear the mask correctly.
Gosh yeah it’s so inconsiderate of people to just assume that since they don’t care about the virus, no one else does. I really hope you don’t ever catch it 😖
It really frustrates me that people are not taking it seriously and choose not to follow proper precautions. Covid-19 might not be an issue for you but it is for other people. People want to complain about the limitations that have been put in place due to Covid but they’re not willing to do what they can to help prevent and end it.
Apart from that, it has always frustrated me when strangers come up to my kids and talk to or touch them. I noticed that they do it more when I am out alone with them than when I’m with my husband. It’s probably the one thing I don’t miss about going shopping.
Hmmm that’s a fair observation! People do that to my kid mostly when I’m alone too. It’s rude, it’s inconsiderate and it’s downright inappropriate! I won’t blame you if you decide to punch someone 🙈
I think for me people still do not understand or practice social distancing, especially when in a queue. Oh no to people that want to touch your child.
Needing to have more patience to get things done.
Many tedious phone calls made, I am not a telephone person, and being kept on hold for how long 👀👀👀.
And people are still not taking the pandemic seriously
Oh gosh those long phone calls! I’ve been on hold with the tax office for about 90 minutes, only to accidentally cut the call 🙈 I hate them too, so it’s not just you!!
The pandemic has definitely left a mark on each of us, whether small or large. Having your routine sabotaged and getting the virus despite the precautions is very frustrating. Also making for an incomplete home and renting, that’s tough. You deserve not vent. I commend you for not letting COVID defeat you. Thank you for sharing. How is life in South Africa, btw?
Thanks hun 😅 I’ve shed my fair share of tears over my lockdown problems. But at the end of the day, I’m glad that my family is happy and healthy despite everything f that happened. I love living in South Africa because it’s such a beautiful and convenient place to live. My husband compares it to the states (I wouldn’t know how accurate that is as I’ve never been there.) but the one thing that frustrates me here is corruption 😒 where do you live?
Ues, thankfully everyone is happy and healthy. I live in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. A tiny island in the Caribbean. Corruption, unfortunately, is prevalent here as well.
Not being to see my family and friends. I still get annoyed when others don’t take it seriously by not wearing masks, not social distancing, having parties etc. 😡
Thank you for agreeing! It’s so callous to disregard health regulations!
I agree with you..what really frustrates me is being at home every single day, there’s nothing more annoying (in my opinion) that the governments wants you do stay inside all the time. We humans are used to going to the park with the kids, see a movie with them. It’s like you can’t do anything that you used to do! I know everyone thinks differently when it comes to the covid situation. I just can’t…
Sorry hun 💔 we each have our comfort things that got rattled. Hang in there!
I’m happy I started working back.. but I know exactly how it feels. Absolutely!
Picking up kids hello?!!!! I didn’t even want anyone to pet my dog outside and dogs interacting.. lol 🤣
lol wow that’s definitely another level that still demands respect! 😅
Yes!! People touching my baby also frustrated me!! Thankfully it’s happened one time when an older lady reached out to touch my baby’s cheek without permission before I could say anything. It’s like they see a baby and just immediately want to touch and kiss and everything. That’s ok but still have to remember to be cautious
It’s horrible isn’t it? And the worst part is that the baby/kid can’t just say no. My little one screams and starts crying when it happens and it just makes me so upset!
Respect. When people don’t respect other peoples feelings towards it. i know some people who have taken the pandemic so seriously that they havent been out since March. I know some people who are still in denial over covid. Whatever you feel, however you feel- dont patronise another person over your own beliefs. Everyone struggles differently. Respect each other.
I can’t believe someone touched your kid in the middle of a pandemic. The audacity.
Right!!? It’s quite sad to think that people do not respect boundaries. Pandemic or not, you can’t just touch someone’s kid!