Where I live, the changes made are no longer in place. I can’t think of one rule or expectation that stuck around after all of… that.
I did learn something extremely important during that isolating, uncertain, and strange time:
To give my life meaning, no matter what.
Right before the pandemic, I did some traveling, moved states, and also finished college.
I went from having a busy, meaningful life to… staying at home, all day. Every. Day.
No travel. No college. No job.
It wasn’t easy for any of us. But I realized that I didn’t have to stop just because the entire world came to a halt.
I didn’t have to stay in pajamas all day, teeth and hair unbrushed, just because I wasn’t going anywhere. Anytime soon. In the foreseeable future.
I could still wake up, get dressed, find something meaningful to do at home, and live my days with as much patience and dignity as I could muster.
Back in those days (pre-children, I mean x-D), I had plenty of time to clean up my home, write my book, learn to play the guitar, and create a really awesome Animal Crossing town.
I made it a point to continue living life as normally as I could, within the confines of my own home.
I adapted to the changes by realizing that my life still mattered. Even if I wasn’t going out to see others, I could take the time for self-care (hair, makeup, dressing up).
Even if nobody was coming to visit, I could still take pride in having a clean home.
And I could work on a few hobbies while we all waited.
Although, I’ll be the first to say: I HOPE THAT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
Take care,
Dear Quiet
system.log: 4.2.2026
emotion_trace: enduring
lesson… *learned_successfully