From the way we work to the way we socialize, COVID-19 has changed all of our lives. Businesses have been forced to close, and people have been ordered to stay at home to keep us safe. But months without a night out at a favorite restaurant or a visit to the hair salon, have left many of us with some serious withdrawal.
Since we’re talking about it, I’ll be the first to admit that sheltering in place with my family has been difficult. I’ve spent my days being a teacher, a short-order cook, and a referee of frequent sibling squabbles. But some things about this time at home have been amazing. We’ve had movie nights and backyard barbecues. We’ve made friendship bracelets and built LEGO models. And I’m not going to lie, the daily commute to my kitchen table office is hard to beat.
The time inside has reminded me that the only thing that is constant in life is change. Since our city has been shut down, we’ve lost friends and loved ones to this deadly virus, a fact that has made me more vigilant about checking in with my loved ones in other cities. And I’ve been reminded that while staying home may be boring and inconvenient, there are plenty of people who have had to spend this time alone. And there are plenty of front-line healthcare workers, delivery drivers, and cashiers who are going out so we don’t have to.
The time inside has reminded me that my kids won’t be small enough to pile in my bed and watch television forever. And there will come a time when they won’t want to tell me every detail about their day. It has reminded me that this time together has been a gift, a way to temporarily slow things down and appreciate one another.
I don’t know when things will be normal again, or what normal even means anymore. But I do know that I’ll be making more time for family game nights, phone calls with my besties, and quiet time in my backyard. I will continue to make time to unplug, to read books, and to notice the sunsets. It’s not often that we are given the gift of time, but I, for one, am planning to make the most of it.