Dear Outside, I Miss You
I know this world and this country specifically has a hell of a past. But…DAMNNN, doesn’t it feel like we’re living in the wildest times right now?
COVID-19 and most importantly the current administrations response to it has many of us forced to stay in the house as we practice social distancing. My job moved pretty fast and had us in indefinite work-from-home(WFH) status since the end of the second week of March. After a hectic grocery store run on March 15th, I haven’t left my neighborhood.
Now before I start being dramatic, I live alone and spend a crazy amount of time by myself anyway. Some of it is self imposed (I love + need my solitude!), some of it is everyones schedules and lastly my entire immediate family being back home in the USVI. For these reasons, I don’t actually hate this. I just dislike certain aspects of it and certainly the fact that it’s not my decision. What can I say? Humans love feeling like they have control and right now we simply do not.
There are so many parts of this issue that terrify me. While they are top of mind, I’ve been trying to find outlets and focus on life after COVID-19.
So, my dearest outside, what do I miss most about you?
Solo Date Nights — I love dates and dining at restaurants. The vibes, the service, the food I don’t have to cook or clean up after…all of it. I need that again ASAP.
Human Contact — As much as I love being away from others and recharging now and then, I miss interacting with my team at work and my community as I move about my days.
Dressing for the Weather — T-shirts and sweats are cool and all but I’m over it. I’m ready to get my spring looks off but who knows if we’ll be able to so I guess summer it is.
Toilet Paper Being In Stock — We will tell our children (if I ever have any) about this. Toilet paper is on unicorn levels these days. The last time I went to the grocery store as the hysteria levels were increasing, there was no toilet paper in a total 6 stores. SIX.
Entertainment — So far I’ve had one festival in May postponed all while anticipating another concert doing the same in the coming weeks. For all my homebody ways, I live for concerts and seeing my favorite artists perform. I hope I can fill the void once this pandemic slows up.
Above: Photos of how I’ve been coping without my Starbucks breakfast and restaurant style meals at home. #SoMuchCooking
There are so many parts of this issue that terrify me. While they are top of mind, I’ve been trying to find outlets and focus on life after COVID-19. I feel for all of the graduates this year and everyone else having to rethink life changing events. Most importantly, I’m praying for everyone battling this virus, whether they have it or are on the front lines as essential workers across many industries. I miss being outside, but more than anything I crave the “normalcy” we all took for granted before this entire ordeal. May we all see the other side and be better for it.
