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
I don’t know that I feel anxiety about people following the rules so much as rage. Like why do they feel like they’re exempt when the rest of us are sacrificing all the things we want to do? And WHY DO THEY POST SELFIES TO DOCUMENT IT? Aargh!
I know I’m lucky that this isn’t changing my daily life very much either, and I do feel a little guilt about that. Also the longer that we’re home, the less I want to get back out there, so I’m probably reverting back to full homebody mode.
Wait, so why would a ton of hair need to be chopped off? I’ve been growing mine out for the last 2 years. I only get it cut twice a year and it’s maybe an inch or two to clean up the ends. Are you going longer than that in between visits?
Aww, so you guys are also not part of the “we’re getting divorced after quarantine” club haha. One of my work friends is having a rough time with her husband home all the time (apparently he still expects her to take care of their kid 100% of the time even though they BOTH have WFH jobs) and I’ve heard comments like that from others too. Terry and I have both WFH so long that I guess we worked all the kinks out a while ago!
You’re right, rage IS a better word. That is what I feel too, when I see those pics on social, or when someone casually mentions they had a friend over for breakfast. Sigh.
I feel guilty too, especially because it’s making so many people’s lives miserable (or so they say). There is that meme going around saying “invite me to all the things after all this, I promise I will go!” but I think people are going to have a hard time leaving the house and getting back in to the routine of going out.
I starting going regularly for haircuts (about 8 weeks) but it was so damaged the first time they cut off a ton. I changed the hair ties I used so I hope they don’t have to cut a ton off again (they didn’t last time).
Ha, no, we aren’t! I have heard similar comments from people with kids. I relied on my in office day to see other people each week, and I thought that would make me pissy, but it hasn’t 🙂
Rage is the perfect description, thank you Anne.
I too appreciate bloggers continuing to post (so thank you.) It is interesting to see how different it is in different parts of the country, and mostly it is nice to have something to read besides the news.
This has been the hardest week for me so far, I think the novelty has worn off and I’ve realized how much longer this is probably going to last. They are also closing all the beaches and parks and other outdoor spaces where I could still go because people weren’t following the rules. Gah! This is why we can’t have nice things! I’m also struggling with groceries. I’ve been so sick this pregnancy and had so many food aversions that it is hard to predict from day to day what I will be able to eat. So I have a lot of anxiety about not being able to get the food I want. First world problem for sure. Hang in there!
You’re welcome <3 I am enjoying seeing something besides the news too, and anything non COVID-19 related (like, I don't mind seeing it, but it's nice when it's someone's kids or their dog or cute baby bump 😉 )
I saw that they were closing down outdoor spaces in your state and that made me so sad. It's easy to stay away from each other and clean up after ourselves. Sigh. 🙁
Oh geesh yeah! This is a time to be flexible with what you eat and you just can't be! 🙁 I hope you are finding what you need. That's okay it's a FWP. It's still something that has the potential to make you physically uncomfortable each day and that freaking stinks.
I've heard many other says things are really sinking in this week (and last, from my friends overseas who started this earlier) so you are not alone there. I am really wondering if we'll all come out of this in May or not. I know I will still feel cautious!
Thanks! You hang in there too! XOXO
I’d never used Zoom before this either – I feel like I’d only even heard of it once or twice. It’s become a big part of my outside work life now, though. We’ve done a couple family calls (I think my parents got tired of talking to all of us individually and wanted to streamline the process, haha), calls with the in-laws, played trivia, and I’ve participated in church all via Zoom in the past two weeks. I guess if this had to happen, at least it happened in a time where it’s really easy to connect with multiple people at once?
Running around here has been such a mess. I actually intentionally didn’t go for runs yesterday or Tuesday because I knew the nice weather would’ve made my local paths a social distancing disaster. (It also ended up hailing during what would’ve been the end of my run yesterday, so I have no regrets about that decision!). The paths are still open with signs up about social distancing, but I’ve started running on the sidewalks a LOT more than I used to, because most walkers/runners/bikers are on the paths, so it’s easier to avoid people if I go to the sidewalks. It was especially bad when all of this started. People didn’t care how cold it was – the only thing that kept them away was rain (so I ran in the rain! Which I don’t really mind doing anyway, thankfully.). Now that we’ve had some nice days, people seem a little less inclined to go out on colder ones, thank goodness. I don’t want to be a gatekeeper, but there is definitely a part of me that’s like, “Look, I get that this is literally the only thing you can do right now, but *I* was a runner before the pandemic, and I would like to continue using *my* running routes without you getting in my way!! Go walk somewhere else!” But that’s not nice, or reasonable, so instead I just jump way off the path whenever possible to make sure I have a good six feet between me and everyone else – or get off the path entirely and run elsewhere. Or don’t run at all! It’s not like I have anything I need to train for.
I was just on the edge of needing a haircut before all of this started, and I very much regret not making it a priority in late February when I apparently should have! I haven’t gotten my hair cut at all, not even trimmed, since last July, and I’m guessing that means I’m going to go close to, if not more than, a year between haircuts. Yikes! I can probably make it another month or two, but after that, I might have to figure out how to give myself a trim. Long hair is NOT a good look on me (tried it once – never again), and I find it such a nuisance when I’m working out. So it’ll either be that or a lot of top knots in my future!
I think Zoom is the best for connecting with lots of people too. We tried Hangouts and since you can’t tile the images like in Zoom, I don’t like it as much. And we tried to get a group going on Houseparty but some refused to download it. But yes, the positive of this happening how is that we have MANY options for connecting virtually!
I feel you on your running sentiments! On the nice days this week I also made a point to run early. I rarely see anyone anyway, but wanted to make sure I had space when I went through the parks. It’s interesting how people were getting out when it was a bit colder because they just UNDERSTANDABLY needed to get out! It would be interesting to see how many took up walking or running now, who hadn’t been before, because yeah, everything seems a lot more crowded. And yeah, I also have that worry, like “I’ve been running by myself out here for over 4 years, please don’t come ruin this now!”
Oh no! If only you had gotten that cut! Do you usually wear your hair down and that is why it’s such a nuisance? I never wear mine down so this has no affect on me, unless they make me cut a ton off because of split ends or something. What is Joe doing for his hair?
He fortunately had the foresight to get his hair cut shorter than usual the Friday before everything blew up (a month ago today), so he’s doing all right so far. I asked the other day, and he said he’s just going to let it get long. We don’t have clippers or anything, so that’s probably the only option!
That was a good call! I am sure you’ve seen all the nightmare pics and videos of people trying to cut their hair at home! Let it grow out, folks!
I’m so glad you posted your thoughts! I really like what you said about everything feeling like a moral decision now and that’s why we’re all so tired. My mom wanted me to come over a few weeks ago and it was really hard to tell her we should probably stay apart from one another, at least until the stay home order has been lifted.
I’ve only used Zoom once during this pandemic, for virtual book club, but I’m HEAVILY using MarcoPolo. It’s just nice to see people’s faces and TALK. I also enjoy it a lot more because I don’t have to worry about people interrupting me, like in a video chat. I can just talk about how I’m feeling and what’s going on and wait for the response. It’s a good way for me to express my feelings to friends. 🙂
Thanks! Hearing that really stuck with me and explained so much, you know? And gosh, that would be so hard to tell your mom. 🙁 Is she still going in to work? How’s she doing?
So MarcoPolo is like a walkie talkie but with video? That is nice about not getting interrupted!
Thanks for posting this – it has been interesting to read everyone’s comments on how they are dealing with the situation. I can relate to so much of what everyone says, especially about the crowding on outdoor paths! It’s very annoying and, yes, sometimes enraging that people can be so oblivious!
And I am growing out my hair and my natural hair color (graying) just because this is a great opportunity to do it and see what it actually looks like (I’ve been coloring for about 12 years, I think).
So you are having the crowding on paths issue there too? Sigh. Yesterday several people were walking or running toward me, on their left… and I am like… can we at least please follow the rules of sticking to your right, right now?
Ooo! I can’t wait to see what it looks like too!