This week the pace picked up considerably, the energy has changed. From the news we can see that it is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the warmer weather, to keep people isolated. Bars are still closed in France, but people over there have adopted the apérue, apéritif dans la rue, apéritif taken in the street, in order to get out of the house. Over here we’ve had demonstrations against the restrictions.
Most, but the most vulnerable, are ready to come out of lockdown and pick up where they left off in March, even if it has to be with certain precautions. While I can deal with face masks and strange shopping logistics for a while longer, I seriously miss seeing people in person. It’s bad for the immune system and our emotional health to be kept away from parents, children, grandkids, and friends. Zoom is just no substitute.
There was a certain comfort in the slower pace of daily life during the past two months. Life has been simple, a bit boring of course, but also more relaxed. Shorter workdays, more sleep, less frenzy. But as an acquaintance said a few weeks ago, he is not ready for retirement, and neither am I. Moreover, I am ready for shifts based on our conclusions from this episode (see my silver lining posts from the past few months), I am ready to live again, I am ready to be with people and do business, I’m ready to contribute to meaningful change.
What has shifted for you during the two lockdown months? What has changed in your lifestyle or thinking since mid-March about this whole situation and its aftermath? Will you do anything differently now?
Goodbye COVID-19, welcome new world!