I find myself often qualifying things as before or after Covid (as in after Covid started). It’s a sad state in my opinion to have to separate things that way. It’s just one more division created by this pandemic which still continues to rear its’ ugly head.
More and more lately I find myself cut off from the social life I once had. Seeing fewer and fewer people I think is starting to take it’s toll on me. I sometimes wonder if I’ve forgotten some of the social niceties. I wonder if I’m more abrupt and less patient than I was. Although patience was not be of my best virtues.
My wardrobe has changed. For instance, I’ve become one of those people that wear yoga pants all the time. I’m now even thinking of wearing them grocery shopping, not that it’s a bad thing for some, but before Covid I never would have thought to go shopping in yoga pants. They were for working out and going to and from workouts.
Now when I’m out and about and people get close to me, my initial reaction is to step aside or veer away from them. I’m hoping this will stop soon as I get more comfortable interacting in person.
Even though Covid restrictions for the most part have been lifted, I find myself mentally lecturing people about wearing masks, air quality in indoor venues and just the risks of Covid in general. Thankfully I remember my manners and I do keep my mouth zipped. After all, everyone has their own level of risk and must be respected.
And I’m shying away from travelling at this point. Before Covid (those words again) I loved going to new places, staying in hotels, motels or resorts. Now I’m avoiding booking hotels and vacations. I’m staying where I know the hosts followed the protocols and where I personally know them.
And the most basic thing … before Covid I had dark brown hair. Now I have grey hair with brown running through it. My hair has become less important. Maybe that’s a good thing.
So much has changed not just for me but for many. I suppose and I quote “it is what it is until it isn’t”. But I am looking forward to a better, less separated “after Covid”.
Until the next time.
I like to think of many things in terms of gardening. That before time is dead. It’s not coming back and we have to start fresh with new soil and seeds. What we knew before reappears in bloom to remind us and we ache, but there’s forward only. We mourn, we curse, we’re sad. But it’s forward only.
I feel this! I always refer to life before covid as “pre-covid”. I can’t bring myself to say “during covid” as we’re still in a pandemic!
I always find myself lecturing my family members about masks, but you’re right — everyone has their own level of risk