Btw, does anybody know what day it is? Asking for myself.
Welp, we’re 7 months into the coronavirus pandemic. Life as we have always known it has changed, possibly forever. Like so many of us, even my forever First Lady, Michelle Obama, I feel a bit shell shocked, overwhelmed, and yes: slightly depressed. If 2020 had its own acronym, it would be WTF.
WTF for the people who refuse to social-distance.
WTF for the government that can’t seem to get its act together.
WTF at the people who cover themselves only in prayer, but not also in hand sanitizer.
WTF for the racists among us who have gained new steam under this current toxic regime.
WTF for the anti-maskers who protest about having to wear masks, but not about Black men being murdered by police.
But…I will deal with all these more fully on another post.
For now, I just want to look back at how life has changed since the pandemic, and how I’ve passed the time. #postingforposterity. In no particular order, here are the highlights and lowlights of Life in the Times of Covid.
So far I have:
- Gone hunting for toilet paper because people seemingly thought that hoarding TP was the magic key to unlocking the cure to Covid.
- Panic-bought masks, but I’m glad I did. Once I’m outside my home, I don’t feel safe anymore unless I have a mask on. #wearadamnmask
- Practiced social distancing, but tbh since I’m an introvert, it feels like my regular daily life. I’ve been on lockdown, apparently. I was social distancing before it was a thing. Speaking of social distancing, I…
- Participated in a “pandemic project”: a socially distanced music video. That was fun. In order to do it, I…
- Built out my home studio. It sounds like more than it is. A couple of ring lights that I already had on hand, and a backdrop or two, and voilà.
- Started meditating. Because stress.
- Enrolled in an online class about finding one’s voice. I guess it worked, because I also…
- Started writing again. My awesome sister set up this blog for me, and I’ve been writing away ever since. It’s great to have a creative outlet during these stressful times. Speaking of creative outlets, sis and I…
- Launched The Introvert Sisters podcast. We talk about introversion (natch), racism, and everything else that’s on our minds. Apart from anything else, it’s a great way for us to stay connected, considering that we won’t be able to see each other in person for the foreseeable future.
- Spent a LOT of time job hunting. Like millions of people across the globe, I lost my job, and was out of work for months. So until recently, my full-time job was looking for a job. I eventually found partial employment, and…
- Dived fully into working from home. I love it. Thus may it be forever. No people. No politics. No commute. And did I mention no people? I’m a fan. Since I’m still looking for a permanent job, and I’m focused on my writing, I’ve…
- Become more intentional on LinkedIn. Some would say more political. I would say more authentic. With everything that’s going on in the world, there is no time for half-stepping. So I’m keeping my foot on the gas, fighting racism, and showing up as my entire self. I want to work with companies that are actively anti-racist, and appreciate that I am too. On a lighter note, I also…
- Braided my own hair. It was quite the experiment, but it turned out ok. There’s no way I’m going to sit in close quarters with a stylist right now so…I did what I had to do.
- Joined Twitter. I still don’t get it. #halp
- Joined TikTok too. Don’t get that either, lol.
- Mastered the art of dressing only from the waist up. Well, let me clarify. I get fully dressed, but like most people I’m living that #Zoom call, #MicrosoftTeams life, so it’s leggings or sweats below camera, and one of my video-chat-worthy shirts at the top. #comfortiskey
- Cooked. (And cooked and cooked.) I’ve spent a lot of time cooking, thinking about cooking, talking about cooking, and (ahem) eating my cooking. Which has left me feeling satisfied—and looking a little fluffy. The #pandemic15 is real. So, perforce, I:
- Started exercising again. Life being what it is, I promptly hurt my ankles just as I was getting into a jogging routine. Sigh. I did not let that stop me, however. Two ankle braces and some decent sneakers later, I’m good to go. I just walk now, instead of run. #lifelessons
- Played dress up at home, and started wearing the clothes and headpieces that I’ve collected over the years for my imaginary life, lol. The highlight of this fashion adventure was participating in the #MetGalaChallenge. Of course, I chose @badgalriri as my muse.
- Did a couple more social media challenges, like the #voguechallenge, the #essencechallenge, and the #extempochallenge. (It darn near killed me to do the extempo challenge calypso video, lol. I am not comfortable in front of the camera at all, but one must stretch oneself.)
- Wondered, almost daily, what day it is and where has all the time gone. Time is meaningless and seemingly untrackable. #quarantime
I feel like I should put this in a time capsule or something. 2020 is a real #picsoritdidnthappen kinda year. So…assuming (hoping, really) that all is well with you and yours: what have you been up to during the pandemic?
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Text and images ⒸLisa Hurley/@happyhappyphoenix