Anxiety Around Actually Returning To Normal

On April 23, 2020 I wrote a blog post on this exact topic. I will be the first to admit I’ve been thoroughly naïve through this whole pandemic, always thinking that things were about to get better. It’s been over a year since I wrote that last post and now, finally, things are slightly resembling normal.

I have certainly nestled into a pandemic bubble that I wasn’t sure I was ready to pop. I think the pandemic has changed us all in a way. I have become even more of a homebody than I was before and have gotten even more terrible at keeping in touch with people.

My “normal” began when I got my new job in October because I’ve been working in the office since then. But now, seeing my friends and family often and going out in public without a mask. This is a real normal.

It’s okay to have anxiety about it, I hope people really ease into it. When we went to Key West, I didn’t pressure myself to be social and part every night. I just don’t have it in me anymore and that’s okay. I’m older, we’ve been through a lot, and now is the time to listen to our bodies and our spirits and truly follow their wishes.

I have anxiety around these pressures because I don’t want to disappoint people, I don’t want them to think I’m being a bad friend or ignoring them. But I think we all have to accept that people change, and they especially change after living through a pandemic.