I am pretty close to being back to living living my pre-covid schedule. I am doing it masked and making appointments left and right, of course. I have one friend group that has not yet resumed our once-a-month lunch together, but all my other social circles are meeting regularly (one via Zoom and the rest in person). Those in-person meetings are outside for the most part. Fall weather is starting to emerge here, so I don’t know for how much longer some of this will be able to continue.
A lot of things are different. DH is still contentedly working from home, and I don’t know if his company will ever mandate they return in person. I would like to see DD back in school both for social reasons and because this year’s modified schedule shortchanges them 1-2 hours of instruction time (depending on the week’s schedule) in each class every week (which adds up to A LOT over the course of the school year). I like having them both home, though.
I’m similar to @milgymfam I have no desire to see or spend time with anyone other than my H and the kids. That being said, I do like doing things with them, and that’s the problem. There’s nothing to do without worrying about it being safe.
Introvert here that enjoys very small group gatherings (2-6 people), so Covid has not affected my social life at all during the warm weather. I was totally alone during March and April, and avoided all errands except groceries twice a month. That got old fast. It was still nice to at least see other people. DH & I finally got together in May & we now join with a few friends for walks or outdoor visits, all socially distant. I’d be fine if that continues forever, but am worried how cold weather will affect things.
What I hate most is the limbo we are all in. Remaining family, including my children are 2400 miles away, so driving or flying that distance is problematic. Do we make plans for the winter holidays or stay home? Plan a 2021 vacation or not? RSVP early regrets to an upcoming family winter wedding 1400 miles away, or wait and see evaluate conditions closer to the event? But even these are minor issues. My heart goes out to those with elderly parents, or school age children trying to juggle the unknowns.
I’ve personally enjoyed the respite of crossing everything off my too busy calendar and have spent the time really regrouping and getting things done that I’ve needed to do for years. I feel like my mind is being decluttered along with my home. It feels like a reboot.
I haven’t had the problem of not seeing family which is a blessing. And everyone has remained healthy so far. I don’t know what I’d do if my elderly dad had to go the the hospital. Fortunately things are opening up here and I’m hoping I never have to cross that bridge. Appointments made by tele-health are great–hope that sticks around forever.
Oh, there are definitely some things I am glad are cancelled due to Covid. I have a high tolerance for being at home alone so I am okay. But I think normal life will come back. Sadly, some of those things I don’t like to do (visiting H’s family and friends—shhh) will happen again.
I think that most people embrace not doing all of those things you feel obligated to do. It’s great to feel less encumbered, able to be less scheduled.
This year, my husband and I decided not to play in our usual golf leagues (this is just an example). We both loved it, not to “have” to do something on a schedule. We learned to love going out and just playing when we wanted to. There is quite a freedom in being unscheduled. We were able to go to our trails and work out more. And that was better for our physical well being.
I think (hope) that there are things that will be embraced even after this pandemic wanes. I hope so. We saw people out walking and kids playing! I think we need less schedules.
What I don’t like is the fear and anxiety about what to do and with who. Or nobody.
I relied on business and personal travel (and my office) for a lot of my social interactions, and I didn’t have to take a lot of steps to initiate those things. Without them, I have to take more initiative, which is becoming very easy NOT to do.
We have hit a reasonable balance of socializing during this time, but I am exhausted by the navigation process and by the amount of thinking involved all the time.
Our neighborhood has turned to evening walking and driveway sitting, and chatting with each other and with our friends and neighbors out for walks. We all talk to each other a lot more than we ever had in more normal, busy times.
I recently bought a portable propane gas fire pit for our driveway / front yard. It’ll extend our ability to sit outside as the weather gets colder, without the commitment of tending a smoky fire pit of real logs. I love a real fire pit, but that’s a backyard thing. We have become front yard people.
In an everyday, casual, neighborhood way, our social lives have improved.
But our planned social life is now a constant thought game - Will we be outside? Masks required? Can we maintain physical distancing? How many people will be there? And on and on. It’s been fine this summer, but winter is coming, and I do not see inside socializing with anyone other than our family bubble this winter.
Has the current situation made it convenient for us to avoid others, not make plans of any sort, avoid family or friends???
Absolutely yes. I am not an overly social person as it is, but I did enjoy the odd meeting. Since the situation has caused us to not have that opportunity, I have became less interested in that occasional meeting.
I find staying at home more enjoyable than going out now, and I presume that it is only going to get worse. But, I think that we will all have to try to meet people when we can, or we will all become reclusive.
Those of you who live in moderate climates year around that will allow for at a % of the week to be able to be outside leisurely (as opposed to just to get specific exercise done) and still see others out, maybe enjoy outside restaurants - be very thankful. I am/will be envious!
I’m testing out a Paint and Sip event; all outdoors, masks required except when at tables, and tables are supposed to be six feet apart (which is actually closer than I want to be if people are unmasked). I asked for an outer perimeter table, but am prepared to walk if I’m uncomfortable with the setting or the behavior of others. I did tell this group I’m in about it, but doubt anyone else signed up.
It’s been a great excuse for not seeing my MIL, who lives in FL. I’m not being funny. She has a happy life there with her husband and lots of friends. But I’m not that fond of her anymore, so it’s been great not seeing her this summer and I hope thru the holidays.
Other than that, not really. But what I have found is I’m more comfortable just being by myself more now, and don’t feel guilty when I just want to stay home and not do anything.
But I’m really trying to do lots of get togethers with friends before being locked in the house again. Social distance of course.
It’s getting colder already here in the Northeast. Not sure how we will socialize in a month or two. And outdoor classes will go back to Zoom.
Right now bad air from fires is keeping West Coasters inside.
If you live alone and don’t have a car (like one of my kids), it’s tough to socialize safely in areas where there are problems being outside. So not really the “easy option,” more like a hard reality.
Then there are some people who refuse to alter their social lives at all. I saw a video - it was footage from a police badge cam near U of Miami at Ohio. It involved a household of young men (8 live there) having a big party the police officer was called to disperse. When he pulled up one of the resident’s info, he found that he was on record as being positive for COVID. I guess the health department reports people by name to some data base accessible by law enforcement? Anyway, the officer asked the young man if any others in the household were also positive. He answered, “we all are.” The officer, incredulous, blurted, “why in the world are you not quarantined???” The young man said, “we are-that’s why we’re all staying home.”
We are not super social so our lives haven’t changed too much. D2 has been living with us during wfh. D1 and her bf live close by with their puppy so they are part of our bubble. Get togethers with friends have been outdoors and distanced and we all bring our own food and drinks. I see this continuing until a vaccine is available.
H and I have been going to dinner a couple times a month at restaurants with large outdoor patios and where tables are more than 6 feet apart. Since we are in San Diego outdoor dining can continue here year round. I feel for everyone that lives in a cold climate who will be forced to stay indoors when it gets cold.
I get that! I dearly miss my library runs with my younger daughter- we could spend hours perusing the shelves and would usually make a day of it with a lunch date- same for thrifting days with my older daughter. I miss movie theaters- they were our usual date nights (but even more than theaters themselves, I miss new movies coming out). I miss random hotel stays we had to have (for the kids’ competitions or college visits, or for hubby’s work) and the hot tubs that came with them. I am genuinely sad that we missed our last chances to go to the beach while we lived on the east coast- and our last summer of pool days. Right now we are super lucky that the weather has been splendid and there are just so many parks and forests and sculpture gardens to explore (and since we just moved here, they’re all new to us) . When it gets cold (and it’s coming soon, I’m told), I think I’ll feel more confined in the house. Still won’t miss extraneous people most likely though. Ha!
@Nrdsb4 I saw the same footage from Miami/Ohio. The kid was incredulous. Clueless. They probably are thinking “ok great! We all have it so in two weeks we are good to go to do anything”
I did a volunteer voter registration/census event this morning outside at a large park. In addition to people walking, running, playing at the playground there were several other events going on just on our end of the park. A wedding was being set up. A church service was being held. A Jr. ROTC group was working out. An outside yoga class was going on.
This is northern Ohio. In a couple of months while we can still (and WILL!) use the park as often as possible weather and ground are not going to allow for so many of these activities to keep taking place.
@Nrdsb4 Yes, in my county the Sheriff’s Dept. has a current listing of names and addresses of all Covid+, accessible by LE. Not sure if it is every county in my state.