It’s been comforting to read bloggers’ COVID-19 diaries – thank you for posting them – as it’s another reminder that we are in this together. It’s interesting to read posts from around the country and see what’s different and what’s the same. Across the board, toilet paper is still hard to find, and people are seeing a lot of people out and about, in too close of proximity. UGH.

In our home, things do not feel too different because we are both used to working at home, living in isolation in the “country,” and not seeing people that often. And we don’t have children. I’m still working full time for the federal government, but am not working my part time fitness job at all. Steven runs a small business and is very busy selling fake meats online! We’re grateful for our situation, and I don’t mean to be insensitive to others by saying things aren’t too different here. I know many who are struggling and it breaks my heart (and I am doing what I can to help!).

While our daily lives haven’t changed much, I still feel that underlying anxiety that everyone else does. Anxiety about everyone’s (the world’s) health, the economy (especially small businesses), people who aren’t following the “rules,” whether I should go to the store once a week or not, and so on… One podcast I listen described it well, saying nearly every decision feels like a moral decision now, and that is draining. No wonder so many of us feel more tired than usual!

Anyway, I wanted to post some of my thoughts on my COVID-19 lifestyle up until this point. They’re mostly frivolous, but they’re in my head and I want to get them out.

  • I already knew I was an anxious shopper, and as such, I keep our house well stocked because I hate shopping (well stocked = less trips to the store). This has worked out in our favor – I had stocked up on toilet paper right before the shortage. But now it’s time to accept I do not need to keep our pantry that well stocked. Other food/shopping lessons:
    • I used way too much paper product before (toilet paper and paper towels). I’ve been consciously using less. It’s a shame it took this to make me consider it.
    • Most of the vegan stuff is in stock in the stores, SHOCKER! I have been able to find our favorite freezer fake meats and dairy replacement items, thankfully.
    • I thought I would miss getting takeout, but I haven’t. Except for that El Famous craving last week, I’ve been fine with eating at home (we got takeout two other times the week before). This is probably because Steven does the cooking and I am the sous chef/dishwasher.
    • I’m overeating like crazy though.
    • Grocery delivery/pickup can be a long wait out here, about two weeks where I like to shop (because they have the most vegan options; I still go to Aldi in person once a week for produce). I placed an order two weeks ago to be delivered yesterday, but last week it got pushed to today because they had to deep clean the store. They texted me in the morning yesterday that my order canceled “because the store is unable to fulfill the order.” I was shocked! They couldn’t fulfill any of it?! I felt like it was a bunch of random stuff. Then I called the store and they said that was just them canceling the DoorDash delivery of it for yesterday, that it would still come today. Eek. I hope so! (But if it doesn’t, we’ll be fine.)
  • I am not as hip with technology as I thought! I never used Zoom until COVID-19, and had to download Houseparty for my phone. I hear people talk about Voxer (?) and MarcoPolo and I still don’t use those.
  • People can tell when I am feeling down on work calls, apparently. I’ve answered “okay” to “how are you?” and gotten “you don’t sound okay.” Ha.
  • Even though I feel tired overall, I feel better from waking up at a more regular time each day (since I’m not commuting, I don’t have irregular early wake ups).
  • And because of that… drumroll please… THE CATS DO NOT START BOTHERING US FOR FOOD AT 3:00 AM EVERY DAY! (it’s more like 5:00 am)

  • Even though I already worked from home most of the time, I feel like I have more time in my day. Probably because I have no plans after work, and there’s more daylight.
  • I miss seeing my workout buds at the studio, but I really like lifting heavier weights at home.

  • Running is the same – I rarely run with another person. It was unusual (but enjoyable, ha!) that I ran with Bobbi twice in March.
  • I miss getting my nails done! I left them alone for about two weeks after I took my last no-chip off, then I went to town (not literally! I stayed home!) picking at my cuticles and chewing them down. Sigh. The good thing about not getting them done is I’m not worried about ruining them by working on the garage.

  • I miss my weekly chai from Starbucks. The ones I make at home look nice but don’t taste the same.

  • I’ve been wanting to grow my hair out, and maybe now is my chance! Ha, I hope they don’t have to chop off a ton the next time I am able to get it cut.
  • I’ve always worked hard at communicating with people I don’t see every day, since we hardly see anyone, so all the reaching out is not new to me. But it is nice to have people reach out to us. And I really appreciate it when someone else takes the initiative to organize a group video chat.
  • And the biggest one – Steven and I are not driving each other crazy! I really thought we would be, but I’d say we actually feel closer. Aww, heart emoji.

Photo from Feb 29, 2020