I would love to go out more, go to concerts, see friends, get a massage, travel etc. But I have to apply significant caution to such things, because I’m medically vulnerable and our society has decided to pretend COVID doesn’t matter. I have to avoid people, because most of them don’t care if they give me a disease that would severely impact my health. I’m quite mindful of my avoidance, and I’ve accepted it has to stay in place for the foreseeable future.
Oof. I habitually over intellectualize those feelings way too often. Needing to do/act rather than just think is just the kind of callout I think I needed. 👍
I recently spent a week in Germany with a group of friends. After we were home, I mentioned to my husband how little tolerance people have for friction. We build lives that are push-button and predictable.
Then when we have to deal with cancelled trains or even limited menus, we can’t manage.
My attitude on the trip was, we have each other, we have resources and we don’t have a strict schedule. We can manage whatever comes along.
Most of the rest of the group did not have that attitude. I chalked it up to the inability to deal with friction, but the uncertainty factor was there too.
My car was recently in the shop for a week, and I live in a “driving city”. I normally drive to work, but the past week, I took Ubers and Lyfts. Normally when I take Ubers or Lyfts on my way to the airport or home from a bar, I exchange hi’s with the driver but usually don’t have a full-on convo. This week, I decided to try putting down my phone and engaging fully with these strangers about who they are, their lives, passions etc (when people were open to talking) and it reminded me just how stimulating it is to make these types of connections. I learned one person was a former Marine turned Michelin-star-level chef! So cool. Even just taking the opportunity to “bond” with a stranger for a few minutes took me out of my bubble and made me feel more connected and more human. Thank you for reminding us to avoid being avoidant and for all you do, Liz. ❤️
Please write a separate post about uncertainty. Big theme permeating in my life right now.
I would love to go out more, go to concerts, see friends, get a massage, travel etc. But I have to apply significant caution to such things, because I’m medically vulnerable and our society has decided to pretend COVID doesn’t matter. I have to avoid people, because most of them don’t care if they give me a disease that would severely impact my health. I’m quite mindful of my avoidance, and I’ve accepted it has to stay in place for the foreseeable future.
thank you for putting these thoughts down. definitely nice to know that it's not just me.
I've been making attempts to be there for people but am disheartened when there's no reciprocity. Alas, my dogs help!
Oof. I habitually over intellectualize those feelings way too often. Needing to do/act rather than just think is just the kind of callout I think I needed. 👍
I recently spent a week in Germany with a group of friends. After we were home, I mentioned to my husband how little tolerance people have for friction. We build lives that are push-button and predictable.
Then when we have to deal with cancelled trains or even limited menus, we can’t manage.
My attitude on the trip was, we have each other, we have resources and we don’t have a strict schedule. We can manage whatever comes along.
Most of the rest of the group did not have that attitude. I chalked it up to the inability to deal with friction, but the uncertainty factor was there too.
Great essay!
Definitely working on embracing uncertainty in my life right now! Would love to read more about this topic. :)
My car was recently in the shop for a week, and I live in a “driving city”. I normally drive to work, but the past week, I took Ubers and Lyfts. Normally when I take Ubers or Lyfts on my way to the airport or home from a bar, I exchange hi’s with the driver but usually don’t have a full-on convo. This week, I decided to try putting down my phone and engaging fully with these strangers about who they are, their lives, passions etc (when people were open to talking) and it reminded me just how stimulating it is to make these types of connections. I learned one person was a former Marine turned Michelin-star-level chef! So cool. Even just taking the opportunity to “bond” with a stranger for a few minutes took me out of my bubble and made me feel more connected and more human. Thank you for reminding us to avoid being avoidant and for all you do, Liz. ❤️