The feeling among Watford shoppers was divided after non-essential shops, hairdressers and pubs reopened last week.
After months of empty high streets, people are out and about once more with long queues seen outside some retailers while others flocked to cafes.
But while many were visibly lapping up the best of the town centre, several also revealed they still felt nervous.
Among them was warehouse worker Alexandra Tabara, 34, who said she feels anxious and has panic attacks sometimes because she misses her space and has forgotten how to socialize.
Alexandra Tabara
She said: “It’s sad because during lockdown here, for me it felt like being in Romania because of people’s mentality.