Laughing to avoid crying

We are a student flat so we are all young adults.

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I game online on my laptop half the day now

In what ways has the coronavirus pandemic changed the way you use your home?

It has changed our mental health and we are all laughing to avoid crying. We treat our home differently now, before the crisis we wouldn't dream of smoking weed inside the house but now we are smoking everyday.

How do you feel about your home? How have these feelings changed?

I feel like even though it is a temporary home this crisis has made me view the house as a home.

Before the crisis the word home meant my parents' house. Now it is here.

How does staying at home affect your relationships?

My boyfriend is in the Netherlands and due to border lockdown we are separated until this is all over. We love each other very much so we miss each other dearly and feel a part of our soul is missing.

The relationship inside the house is of friendship, everybody is trying to make sure every member of the household is holding up as well as can be. We are all suffering in isolation but there is solidarity to that.

What do you appreciate most about your home? What do you find frustrating?

I love that we have a small garden to enjoy the sunshine. I hate that the house feels isolated from our neighbours as we are temporary student guests in this street, we don't feel a connection to the street and neighbours.

How has lockdown changed your habits or routines at home?

It has changed my habits, I don't drink any alcohol now but smoke weed almost everyday.

I cook less and struggle to be productive with university work. I was a part-time waiter but have been furloughed. I game online on my laptop half the day now.

My uni work, I struggle to be productive

How is your sense of home affected by your neighbours or those living nearby?

We felt no connect to our neighbours before corona crisis but now when we see neighbours in the garden it gives a strange sensation in our stomachs. A longing for connection but too shy to start it.

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