It’s sort of hard for me to write about the pandemic. I’m in the midst of it and the days although all seem the same so much has changed, too. 

I’ve been thinking about how this pandemic has changed me and also changed those around me. For a few family members have stubbornly tried to act like this pandemic is a nuisance that can be ignored. Of course, their ignorance means the rest of us have to be even more diligent in reminding them to wash their hands, wear a mask, and keep their social distance.

I’ve heard and suffered loss of friends, family and neighborhood business who have closed for good because of this pandemic. I don’t think there is anyone who hasn’t been touched in some way by what is going on.

So has there been any good because of the pandemic? 

For me, I’ve learned to say no. Not maybe, not sometime later, but a defiantly hard NO. No, we can’t come over for dinner. No, we can’t have a holiday celebration. No, I don’t want to go on vacation with you. Before this pandemic, I’d say no, but with reservations and trepidation that maybe I was hurting someone feelings or worse I was missing out on an opportunity that may never come again; but now I don’t feel that way.

These once in a ‘lifetime opportunities’ that I had to say yes to . . .well, they don’t seem so meaningful in retrospect. Those holiday celebrations . . . it’s easier for me when I have only one to plan for, and, and as to hurting someone feelings for saying . . . well, I have my own health to think of and perhaps more so, I’m putting myself and my priorities first and foremost for my own peace of mind. 

I don’t think we will recover from this pandemic – obviously not going back to the way things were, but we will definitely move on and thrive in new ways. For me, wearing a mask for much longer than probably will be necessary just to stay healthy, and, trusting my own instincts and being able to say no without guilt will help be navigate into my future.

This is what I’ve learned.