So my first response to this is probably fairly obvious. Because it’s the same for all of us. We are all so consumed by COVID-19, that it feels like there’s little space for anything else. What did I learn last year? I learned that the vaccines we waited so long for wane significantly after 6 months. I learned that there’s a new, much more transmissable variant called Omicron. I learned how to pronounce “Omicron.” I think. Actually, I’m still confused about that one. I learned about KN95 masks for kids and how to adjust them. I learned about incubation periods for COVID. I learned how to administer a COVID test at home. I learned that stress doesn’t explode my heart, even though it feels like it will. I learned the side effects from Moderna are worse than Pfizer. I learned that for the most part, society doesn’t care if a small percentage of people (sick ones or old ones) die. That it doesn’t care if I die. I learned that things can, in fact, continue to get worse waaaaay past when you think that’s not possible.
Yeah, it was that kind of year for me. I guess if I had to think of something outside of that, I learned how to homeschool. I learned how to find and plan activities to keep my kid busy. For my own edification, I learned a lot about race through the books I read, and I learned just how vital audiobooks are to my ability to keep reading. Mostly, I just survived. That’s really my only metric for success these days.
It’s been a shit year. A shit few years, if I’m honest. It’s so hard to try and find positive things to say when I’m looking back right now. So please stop asking me to. It sucks. And if you have anything more positive to share on this one, pop it in the comments. Even better if it’s something funny. I could use the laugh!
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What kept me going last year? Sunday movie nights with my sister and her husband (all vaccinated and mask-wearing). Keeping a gratitude list each day. Safely visiting outdoors with my 95-year-old dad and his wife. And reading.
It sounds like you were able to find some safe and enjoyable ways to connect with the people who are important to you and to keep everything in perspective. It’s not easy to do, but I’m glad you’ve managed it! And yes, of course, reading – though I didn’t finish a single book for three months, I’m hoping to be getting back to it now!