The ‘First World Problems’ plaguing lockdown Brits include bad weather when you want to go out for a walk or glasses fogging up while wearing a mask.
A study of 2,000 adults found many gripes are now influenced by having to work from home, particularly those with kids before the schools were reopened.
Domestic issues now seeping into the ‘working day’ include running out of clean tracksuit bottoms, replacing the toilet roll because ‘no one else has’, and next day deliveries failing to arrive.
Figuring out what to eat, actually making sure you eat three times a day, waking up and not being sure what day it is and running out of milk and tea bags are also plaguing the nation.
Jack Pruce, for Vision Direct, which commissioned the research, said: “Working from home and leading more restricted lives means a lot is riding on the little things – so it’s extra-annoying when they don’t come easy.
“Of course, many of these problems are somewhat tongue in cheek issues we’re all familiar with – however some of them could lead to issues, such as headaches, eye fatigue from increased screen time or even stress.
“While we like to have something to complain about, some of these problems have very simple fixes, like popping in your contact lenses when you go to the shops so you don’t have to worry about foggy glasses.”
Takeaways taking too long to be delivered, streaming services taking too long to load and having to load the dishwasher more than usual were also first world gripes to irritate Brits.
But more than eight in 10 (81 per cent) reckon people in Britain like to have something to moan about, while 58 per cent believe we’ve lost perspective on what’s important as a nation.
Brits will experience common first world problems five times a week, with nearly one in five claiming this is the case up to 10 times per week.
While 30 per cent said such problems make them feel miserable, 43 per cent find it therapeutic to vocalise their displeasure when these issues arise.
Almost half of adults (46 per cent) admit they’ve been moaning more about the small things since the start of all the lockdowns – and a third don’t think they’ve got anything other better to do than grumble.
Brits also find themselves whining about trivial things three times a day according to the findings via OnePoll.
Yet 61 per cent feel guilty about their moaning, while 68 per cent find themselves having to stop themselves grumbling about unimportant things when they realise they’re doing it.
But 42 per cent secretly enjoy having a little grumble to others, with 65 per cent finding it helps to get such everyday problems off their chest.
Nearly eight in 10 (78 per cent) think it’s only human to get caught up with silly little issues, even if there are much more serious things going on in the world.
Although 61 per cent admit they’ve allowed themselves to get caught up in the seriousness of the real-world problems faced at the moment as 88 per cent consume the latest news.
It also emerged 72 per cent often feel anxious or downhearted about events taking place in the world.
To find out if you’re the type to have a grumble and a groan about ‘first world problems’ take this quiz.
Jack Pruce for Vision Direct added: “Often, these types of gripes and moans are what get many through the day.
“But it’s worth remembering that even the smallest changes can have a positive effect on our day – such as resting our eyes from the computer or laughing about silly things that can uplift our mood.”
First World Problems Brits have Experienced
- Bad weather when you want to go for your daily walk
- Glasses fogging up when wearing a mask
- Not being able to hear what people are saying properly when they’re talking to you in a mask
- Tea going cold
- Waking up and not being sure what day it is
- Next day delivery not arriving the next day
- No one replacing the toilet roll when it is finished
- Figuring out what to eat (and making sure you do so three times a day)
- A wardrobe full of clothes you can’t wear
- Running out of milk or teabags
- Your takeaway takes too long to be delivered
- Netflix / online streaming freezing or taking ages to load
- Feeling lost after finishing an online series
- Losing broadband during a video call
- Having to package up and return clothes you bought online and don’t want
- Having to stack the dishwasher / wash up more often than usual
- Not having anything at home for lunch
- Something doesn’t arrive in the online food shop so you have to visit the supermarket
- Running out of toilet paper
- Having bad hair roots
- Forgetting a birthday and it being too late to get something delivered
- Wanting to log into online banking but not remembering the password
- Central heating doesn’t come on early enough
- Not being able to answer any quiz questions
- Permanent headaches from increased screen time
- Ordering a takeaway and then regretting your choice of food
- If you’re the one not working in the house – having to do all the washing up / clothes washing
- A Sky+ recording clash
- Having to answer the door to deliveries while on a video call
- Having an uncomfortable work set up
- Having uneven eyebrows
- Not being able to say no when someone asks if you’re free for a Zoom because they know you haven’t got any other plans
- Having people in the household who aren’t working causing distractions
- Never really knowing what time to shower
- Wanting to purchase apps but not remembering the password
- Not being able to get a takeaway slot
- Running out of clean tracksuit bottoms
- The online shopping order has given you their own brand loo roll rather than a leading brand
- Running out of your favourite tonic water for your nightly vodka /gin and tonics
- Having no one to share the tea round with
