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’
This story is from the June 22, 2021 edition of WOMAN - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 22, 2021 edition of WOMAN - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Fast&fresh DINNERS
Healthy meals to keep you satisfied on busy weeknights.
Health checks that could SAVE YOUR LIFE
We service our cars and boilers to make sure they run smoothly, so why not our bodies?
FEEL SEXIER in 60 seconds
Try these instant tricks to lift your libido and get turned on fast
Destination SWAPS
Change your favourite resorts for these great-value, lesser-known places
5 steps to the PERFECT HALLWAY
Try these makeover musts to transform the often-overlooked space into an entrance you can be proud of ai
The secrets WE KEEP
Two women explain why they realised it was finally time to speak up
Our split made us STRONGER!
Bernie Jones loves her husband more after their break-up 4
Can our beloved NHS BE SAVED?
With waiting lists for surgery reaching new highs, we investigate the lengths patients are going to in order to receive treatment
WANT TO SEE BEHIND THE CASTLE GATES?
It’s an interesting development that King Charles has increased public access to Buckingham Palace and opened up Balmoral Castle for the first time.
'The divorce SPEAKS FOR ITSELF"
Singer-turned-actor Billie Piper on her turbulent past and becoming the woman she is today