We live now in parallel universes. One is the world of the virus – the hospitals, the patients, healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers. Another is that where people like me hide behind masks and the perimeter of our home.
Normal life is upended for all – excrutiating for those who care for the sick, horrible for their patients, and strangely disturbing to those who wait it out without their jobs, schools, or normal activities. No wonder people fight back in protests and rallies.
I’m stating the obvious, but keeping this in perspective helps explain my anxiety. You’d think with all this time on my hands, I’d write another book or at least promote the ones I’ve already written. Instead I do short term projects, like sorting though old files, cleaning closets, planting flowers. I nudge my bigger projects along but find it hard to concentrate. An air of uncertainty surround every day. I lack the inspiration that comes from colleagues and friends. Zoom just isn’t the same thing.
In this circumstance, I’m doing what I normally do. I planned ahead and set a date for my virtual book launch (June 10th), and trust that I will make it happen.
Having written my way through this thought, it’s clear to me that I must redefine my life and adjust to this new reality. We are not going back to life as it was, not any time soon, and maybe never. That isn’t bad or good, it just is. I am reminded that awareness of what is real is the first step to dealing with it.
Base Camp 210 