As the vaccination roll-out continues, and the government slowly lifts the COVID-19 restrictions that have kept us indoors for the best part of 18 months, we’re finally being allowed to socialise again. For many of us, that means meeting up with friends and family to catch up with everything that’s happened to them since March 2020. But it’s clear that people’s experiences of the pandemic have been very different and it’s becoming harder than ever not to compare your life to others – particularly when they appear to have emerged from lockdown seemingly happier and healthier than ever before.
One in five adults are determined to have the same lifestyle as their friends, with over half claiming to be envious of their best friend and the life they lead, according to a study**, and now, thanks to the pandemic, these feelings are more prominent than ever before. Perhaps you’ve put on a few lockdown pounds, while your friend has been on a health kick and dropped two dress sizes. Maybe you were forced into furlough while a mate has been merrily working from home – and saving money because of it, ready to splurge on a big holiday when travel opens up again. It’s hard not to feel resentful of a friend’s success, particularly if you’ve had such a difficult time of it yourself. But how normal is post-pandemic envy? And what can we do to stop it from ruining a friendship? Woman investigates.
‘WE HAVE ALL DEVELOPED OUR OWN COPING MECHANISMS’
Denne historien er fra June 22, 2021-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
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Denne historien er fra June 22, 2021-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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EAT WELL (even on a budget) - Easy meals that make the most of your store cupboard, and won't break the bank
Courgette and pesto pasta
The CATCH
The house was perfect - so why was it so cheap?
Elizabeth and THE RAIN
She had made Lisa's life a misery- and now she was back
I won't stop taking my daughter out of school... - TO GO TO THE BEACH!
One mum tells us why fun, spontaneous days are sometimes more important than being in the classroom
Where's the JUSTICE?
Catherine Wardle's son died over a senseless Snapchat spat
Fat-shamed BY MY MUM
Gemma Hall, 28, showed off her snaps and got a dose of tough love
Fighting for SURVIVAL
When Danielle Camilleri collapsed at 40, the diagnosis was devastating
Finding love AFTER LOSS
As Kelsey Parker moves on after losing her husband Tom, we investigate how difficult it is to find love again in widowhood
Phil's revenge
Phillip Schofield is back on our screens after a 16-month hiatus and it seems it's all-out war between the former presenter and ITV.
'I'm too scared TO HAVE SURGERY'
Christine Lampard on gratitude, staying in shape and date nights with husband Frank.