I don’t think it really registered when I got my second vaccine shot in late April that I was one step closer to getting “back to normal.” Whatever “normal” even means now.
It felt like the right thing to do, especially after having COVID myself back in December, and I was so relieved to finally have it. I was even more relieved when my sister and parents each were fully vaxxed, and felt so much safer knowing that they were covered. Still, it didn’t fully register that getting the shot was the first step in moving back to the way things were in the before times.
In the past two weeks, I’ve met up with at least 3 friends for in person coffee dates, gone out to dinner and had one too many margaritas, gone to brunch to fill up on good French toast and even walked around my (pretty empty) block without a mask. I also came home to feel the introvert guaranteed burn out of a long night of socializing, the hangover that only comes from being too happy at happy hour and the frantic feeling of getting my apartment “guest ready” again. It’s been so much fun to reconnect with the people I love, and to have one less anxiety on my plate. But the freedoms that come with getting vaccinated have also presented a whole new list of anxieties that I don’t think any of us could have fully anticipated.
The past year plus of pandemic and quarantine has been challenging to say the least but has also provided a lot of safe cushioning, especially for introverts who thrive and feel the most energized when they have time along. If I’m being honest, while I was feeling as zoomed out as everyone else, I kind of liked the option of being able to socialize and interact while still maintaining some healthy boundaries.
And I’m not completely ready to give that up yet.
Not to mention, the pandemic revealed just how unbalanced our relationships to work, capitalism and productivity are. I’ve had so many “I can’t believe I didn’t finish X project” moments during the past year. Even when I was sick with COVID myself, I was so preoccupied with showing up at work and producing content. It hurts to think about all of the teachers, parents and essential workers who saw so many struggles and challenges and still don’t have systems in place to protect and support them as we reopen. There’s so much to process and plan for, and as everyone is understandably eager to get back to some semblance of normal, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of space or time to do that processing.
I still feel incredibly grateful to be vaccinated, and I really hope that we continue to learn more about the virus, protecting ourselves and loved ones, and making sure others abroad have the access and resources to do the same.
I know I’m not the only one with mixed feelings about the way we’re all getting back to business as usual. I’d love to hear some of your thoughts around reopening and getting back to normal soon.
I am completely not ready for the excessive socializing. I was vaccinated in March/April and in May I’ve seen everyone and done all the things and I am EXHAUSTED. I told my friends I’d come back out in the fall when the heat is gone and everyone has calmed down. I think everyone is just excited to go outside and trying to squeeze everything in and it’s not paced well for us introverts.
The heat!! It’s definitely not helping and I don’t want to do anything until the high is max 70 degrees!!!
I’ve been feeling a little antsy myself about things reopening. I got so used to not finding work and staying at home that the thought of looking for work again makes me anxious. I feel like I forgot simple things like interacting with people and paying for something other than the necessities, so it’s a little overwhelming at times when I think about it.
Yes! By the time we got used to life one way, it was time to switch up!!
I’m ready to hibernate and it’s only been a month since I’ve been vaccinating. I think after July, my social calendar won’t be as maxed out. Then I can hopefully go back to introverting.