It's been a year filled with Zoom meetings, home working and teaching the kids at the kitchen table.
But with the coronavirus vaccine programme well underway, signs are positive that life will eventually return to some kind of normality.
So that got us thinking here at Ayrshire Live of the good times that hopefully lie ahead.
It may seem like a lifetime ago that our pubs and clubs were packed to the rafters, but believe it or not those days will be back.
And football fans, who have made do with their armchairs since last March, will hopefully be back in their favourite spot before too long.
Easing of restrictions will, understandably, be slow and cautious.
However, with the prospect of some more positive times ahead, we decided to cast a hopeful glance to the future and get an early to-do list on the go.
1. IT'S SHOWTIME!
Whether it's theatre, gigs or plays, Ayrshire's rich world of entertainment has been a sore miss over the last year. The likes of the Grand Hall and Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock, Irvine's Harbour Arts Centre and Ayr's historic Gaiety Theatre have been just some of the locations forced to sit idle.
Panto season was a washout – oh yes it was – although those creative folks at the Gaiety did manage to run their own virtual version to keep the laughs going. Here's hoping it won't be too long before we're back in our seats and rolling about the aisles.
2. NEW BALL GAME
Football grounds across Ayrshire, like the rest of the country, have fallen silent and been a far poorer place without the fans. Whilst it's been great to keep the game going at most levels, there is no doubt football needs the supporters through the turnstiles.
Hearing the crowds roar at Somerset Park and Rugby Park cannot come soon enough for us.
And for the grassroots, where the game has badly suffered from Covid shutdowns, a return to normality will bring a much-needed shot in the arm for our future generations.
3. TIME TO TUCK IN
When Chancellor Rishi Sunak gave us the green light to 'Eat Out To Help Out' it's fair to say a lot of us obliged.
But the brief boost for our hospitality trade was just that – they more than most have been been devastated by the events of the last year and will need our support when the doors eventually do reopen.
Ayrshire boasts some of the finest restaurants and bars anywhere in the country and will be sure to come back fighting when the country bounces back to its feet. We can't wait.
4. BIG SCREEN DREAM
Lockdown has turned most of us into Netflix experts, but who doesn't love a trip to the cinema? The price of a large popcorn might rival a month's subscription to a streaming service, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Nothing beats a big blockbuster on the big screen itself and getting back to the Odeon in Ayr and Kilmarnock will feel like a rare treat when the lockdown is finally lifted.
We may even splash out on a hotdog to go with our popcorn!
5. DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
Seems hard to remember now, but Ayrshire had some pretty popular nightclubs this time last year.
If you hadn't visited Funky and the gang to 'Party up the Nile' at Fury's in Ayr, or checked out Vinyl and Madisons, it is surely going top of the list when we all get out to play again.
Likewise, there's plenty on offer up the road in Killie and Irvine for night owls who must be craving the end of downing a beer on their sofa.
So whether it's The Garage or Aces in Killie, or Pitchers in Irvine, they'll all be waiting. When the dancefloor opens, we imagine there will be some pretty wild shapes being cut.
6. MINE'S A PINT!
Heading to the local seems something of a distant memory, never mind chucking a few quid in the jukebox while we're at it. Yes, the humble boozer has been a big miss from life over the last 12 months.
Pubs made a brief comeback in the summer, albeit under strict social distancing guidelines, before the taps were put back into cold storage. There's sure to be a rush for our beer gardens and ale houses when the doors finally creak open again.
And Ayrshire has many fine hostelries for us to support.
7. LET THE KIDS RUN WILD
For parents, lockdown has been something of a slog. Trying to keep our young ones entertained has become a daily challenge with lots of hours to fill – and a lack of attractions to visit.
Who'd have thought a day out to the local soft play centre where our ears take a bashing would be so badly missed?!
But you can bet your bottom dollar that when the green light comes, we'll be forming an orderly queue to hop back aboard the slides and ball pools and listen to all the high pitch screaming the kids can throw at us.
8. BACK ON THE TREADMILL
It's been a frustrating time for the fitness fanatics trying to stay in shape without their daily trips to pump iron. Personal trainers have taken to Zoom and used all manner of technology to keep clients moving and motivated.
And when lockdown does end, they're sure to have a flurry of new sign-ups looking to fight that flab gained during long sessions on the sofa. So look out your rowing machines and prepare to feel the burn.
9. SCHOOL DAYS
We love them dearly. But trying to be their school teachers is proving an interesting challenge!
Children across Ayrshire and beyond have done amazingly to cope with home lessons – and we should all be very proud of their ongoing efforts.
We'll no doubt miss the noise around the house when they eventually do go back to class, but we look forward with hope to the time our youngsters are back among their pals learning in Ayrshire's amazing primary and secondary schools.
