Can you believe that its been almost 6 months since our lives were turned upside down? I probably haven’t participated in 6 months of virtual coffee dates, but it’s been 6 months of pretty much virtual everything. I really feel like time is not moving (as if I were just waiting for things to get back to normal) and then I blink and 6 months have gone by. In some ways March feels like a lifetime ago, but in other ways it’s like how have we already been dealing with this for so long?
6 Months of Virtual Coffee Dates
I remember feeling really anxious the first month that everything shut down. Back then no one really knew how long this would go on for, so I think most people were ok staying home. Now I have much less anxiety about it (however, I rarely go out), it’s more of a general distressed feeling that life will be different for a long, long time.
But let’s not focus on the negative! There are a few good things that have happened over these 6 months. Here’s what I would tell you on our virtual coffee date.
Running
Being home so much has really given me the opportunity to have more flexibility with my running. When I was going into the office I found it was really hard to run on those days because I had to start getting ready for work around 5:30, so I would be mostly ready when Grayson woke up at 6, and then I could get him fed and ready and eat breakfast before leaving for work.
Now I have more flexibility as I am home more. There are many things that have been hard about working from home and parenting at the same time, so I have tried to take advantage of being able to run more.
Technology
I’ve gained a new appreciation for technology this year. Could you imagine if this happened 15 years ago? Even just a few years ago we had less capabilities. Most people were able to adapt really easily to working remotely. It’s been a learning curve but I think we will continue to operate differently even when things get back to normal.
I do worry and feel bad that Grayson has had no social interaction outside of the house or FaceTime (or meetings with my coworkers lol) but I am grateful that he can still see and interact with people regularly.
Flexibility
The word flexibility has taken on a whole new meeting these days. I’ve really had to learn to be flexible with my routine which isn’t always easy for me. I don’t do well focusing at night but most days I just can’t get all my work done and need to do it after Grayson goes to bed. Each day I basically think about what things absolutely need to get done and which ones can only be done when Grayson is sleeping, and I prioritize those in the morning, at nap time, and after he goes to bed. Everything else I just try to get done as I can!
Self-Care
This has not been a priority at all for me these last few months. I really just have felt like I’ve been in survival mode. I still haven’t had my hair cut (we’re now at about 16 months if you’re counting) and I’ve been thinking about just doing it myself. At this point, who cares what it looks like. I wear it up every day anyway.
I have to go to the dentist this month. Not excited about that! I’ve had some issues on and off since March when my check-up was cancelled, so this is long overdue.
Thinking Ahead
As we head into the fall and winter months, I’m a little nervous about what’s to come. Will we see huge spikes in cases because people are inside more, traveling, and seeing family for the holidays? Will the schools that opened stay opened or need to shut down again? What will our family be comfortable doing over the holidays? How will we manage Halloween? (At least more people will be wearing masks on that day!)
There are so many unknowns, but all we can do is take care of ourselves and try to stay positive. There are better days ahead at some point!
How have you adjusted to everything over the last 6 months?
What are some positive things that have happened this year?
Have you started to think about what you will do for the holidays this year?
I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness and Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date!
I can relate to the general feeling of anxiety. Nothing specific, but just a feeling of things not being the same as before.
On the positive side, I have probably spoken to my dad more than I ever did before. I don’t come from a ‘chatty’ family so could go weeks without catching up. During the height of the lockdown I found myself chatting a couple of times a week.
It is fair to say that my running has been the one constant and has given me something to rely on and hang on to when everything else seems so up in the air
I think alot of runners feel that way right now. Its nice to have a way to get outside and get moving during these crazy times.
I still feel very anxious, but less so about the COVID and more about the election and general unrest and uncivility in our country. Sigh. It has been such a tough year.
It’s all so unsettling.
Some days it really is hard to believe it has been six month of this! I share your worry that things could be very different for a long time to come.
Technology really has been a saving grace through all of this – it’s been so helpful in connecting with friends and family!
Sometimes I have to remind myself that its already September. How have we been dealing with this for so long?
Technology has been a life line these pat few months. From being able to work at home, to working out at home, and for all the app-based grocery shopping and food delivery. I hope that cases don’t spike again this fall.
I know, I think there will probably be some more spikes but hopefully we can keep them under control.
When the shutdown started I never would have guessed it’d go on this long. But now I can totally see how some things will change forever. Like you, I mostly feel bad for the kids for whom social development and interaction is crucial.
Kids of all ages are really impacted by this so much. Especially with the social aspect of it all. As adults, we can handle it. Kids shouldn’t have to.
Wow – 6 months? Although I know it’s been that long, it’s still hard for me to think about it when I say it out loud!
I also love the flexibility of working from home but I do miss office interactions with people. It will feel weird when we go back in January.
I really wonder how things will be in January. Our plan is to go back in January but who knows if that will happen.
I think it’s so important to focus on the positives…. we can’t ignore the negatives or our fears, but dwelling on them does us no good. A huge thing to come out of the shutdown/lockdown is learning to adapt with what we have available & not “needing” to always be accumulating more & more. I enjoy eating out, but we’ve done alright staying home 🙂
Very true! I’ve been better about using less disposable products like paper towels. With a toddler we could go through them like crazy but we’ve made it a point to use more towels that we can wash instead.
I remember back in March thinking that by September, surely the pandemic would be over. Not so (sigh!)
I was just talking to a friend this morning about how lucky we are to have the technology available that we do. I can’t even imagine how we would have coped 20 years ago!
So glad the new flexibility you have allows you to be home more with Grayson.
It’s definitely been nice to be able to spend so much time with him. I just wish I could be taking him out to do more fun things, and not having to stay home all the time working!
I am probably not as anxious as I was a few months ago. Technology has been a huge help and things like Amazon prime. I loved having extra family time w my kids while they were here. Grayson probably appreciates having you around all day!!
It’s been nice to spend so much time with him!
You make such a good point! What would we have done if this happened 15 years ago??? In some ways, we are very lucky that we were all able to adjust to this situation. Now, I’m not saying all the adjustments were perfect or wanted, but together we are making it work the best we can.
I know, I still can’t believe we’ve come this far already. I counted the other day and it has been like 160 days since we were last in school. That is almost a whole school year right there. What a weird year for sure!
That’s crazy to think schools were closed for that long. I think we have learned alot during this time and maybe some of the good things will be helpful moving forward.
It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been 6 months too–this year has felt so long and so short at the same time. I’m definitely super appreciative of technology though (+ less traffic and for a time, nature recovering-ish).
I bet that less traffic is a plus! In some ways its good to have more of the population not commuting every day.