Last Thursday, March 11th was an anniversary of sorts. On that day one year ago the World Health Organization declared that we were in a pandemic. It seemed so strange at first because for many of us the problems with Covid were “somewhere far away”. Well, that didn’t last long. I remember checking a map online that illustrated the growth and spread of Covid across the world. That quickly changing map combined with the constant news reports made us realize it was soon to be almost everywhere. Then we had the sudden rush for food and supplies followed by many empty shelves in the stores and it truly felt like we were living in a science fiction movie. Even today, a year later, when I go out and see everyone in masks it just doesn’t seem real.
We have been living a chapter in history that our ancestors will read about in the future. There have certainly been pandemics before but nothing like this in my lifetime. Fortunately, history is being made in another way that will hopefully lead us out of this pandemic. Vaccines have never been developed as quickly as the ones we have now and after just a few months we are seeing a difference already. We now have hope that we are really coming out of this. Not only is Spring coming, but also hopefully, a gradual return to a more normal life.
Many people have said that the past year has changed them in
both positive and negative ways. I know I
don’t feel the same as I did a year ago.
I’ve been far less active and as a result do not feel as physically fit. The lack of contact with other people has
also left its mark on me, as I’m sure it has for others as well. On the positive side, I’ve learned to
appreciate so many things in life that I took for granted before the
pandemic. I hope that lesson will stay
with me. Has the past year changed you,
and if so how?
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| Spring is on the way and a more normal life is getting closer. |
I'm fatter and lazier and I hate it!
ReplyDeleteHa! You expressed quite well how I am feeling! I hate feeling lazy and after this past year I do.
DeleteI agree with Sue's comments above, I have no desire to go out, preferring to hide away at home.
ReplyDeleteSue phrased it well didn't she! I have mixed feelings about going out. I want to but at the same time it now feels strange to leave home.
DeleteMy workload has increased, but so has the length and number of walks I put in regularly - not going out in the evenings to restaurants, pubs etc. means I have more time after work to go walking.
ReplyDeleteSocial contacts have not diminuished that much, but I see most of my friends only online these days, if at all.
Thankfully, I was always able to see my parents and my sister, as well as the man I love.
In this country, vaccination is slow and dragging on. We are already in the third wave of infections, and what cautious re-openings there were earlier this month I am sure will have to be taken back soon, by the looks of the current rate of new infections with mutants of the original virus. It is all a bit scary at the moment.
I hope your country begins to get much more of the vaccine in very soon. There was very little vaccine available in the area where I live until a few weeks ago when we got more delivered. Finally people are getting their shots a little at a time. The mutations of the virus do worry me and I know we will have to continue wearing masks and being cautious for a long time. I guess after seeing no positive steps forward for so long every time another person gets their shot I feel a little more hope now. I hope you will soon begin to see more people in your country get shots too.
DeleteIt had changed me completely, but at the end of the year I decided to do something about it. I've been doing 30 day challenges to pull myself out of the rut. Info is on my blog if you want to join me :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been a hard year that has changed us all. I have been reading your blog and have seen some of your challenges. You have hit on a great way to get more accomplished and I need to take some hints from what you are doing!
DeleteThe past year has been lonely. Like many others, I feel less physically fit, also.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right Mildred. It has been a lonely year. I hope your move is going well.
DeleteYou have some hopeful reflections. I don't feel that I have changed. Well, maybe I'm crabbier. Cases have gone down but the case load was crazy high
ReplyDeleteso it's still serious. I'm not as hopeful that we are on the other side of the pandemic. Covid has thrown lots of curves to us. The mutations concern me.
Ah, I don't think you are crabbier but if anything would do that to a person, this past year would for sure! I do realize the situation is still serious, especially with the mutations. We still have to distance, wear masks and take other precautions. I guess I'm just really hoping we are finally starting to see an improvement. I think the more vaccine that is out there, the better we will be.
DeleteI think that trauma affects the brain permanently. There will always be a before and after divide. We will not be the same people we were before we experienced this. Not entirely a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to give up the notion of going back to before! the world is different, and so are we, and I believe it's better to think about going forward, not trying to retrieve what's gone.
I have been totally alone since this time last year Not a single human or animal touch. I outlived my pets, and am widowed and living alone. So I learned to deal with that. And found new friends, interestingly. And discovered old ones not so anxious to make the Zoom experience. So there was that.
I never stopped making art, though, and that's a difference among people. Some people felt quite shut down and will need time to recover their creative chops.
You do make a lot of good comments on our current situation. There are many kinds of trauma and it does stay with us. It is good to think about going forward in a better way than what we had before. It has to be so hard to be completely alone, never seeing anyone. We have all been helped so much by the internet providing a way for us to have contact with others. I think your art is definitely a part of who you are and it is wonderful that you have kept up with it! I am one that has felt somewhat shut down over the past year. I feel like this year has put me in some kind of a rut I have to climb out of.
DeleteI have lost some fitness this year and am not happy about it. I have grown used to lack of human contact but don't like it. On balance I have knuckled down and got used to it but just want to get back to being able to socialise a little and stop being alone all the time.
ReplyDeleteI think many of us feel we have lost some fitness this year. Lockdowns don't exactly encourage a lot of activity. You have knuckled down and done well despite the many difficult situations. I have admired how you have handled things. You have especially done well with your classes and all of your studies. I think I may have to relearn how to socialize! Thanks Rachel.
DeleteIt has certainly changed me Bonnie, of that there is no doubt. Because breaking my hip has made me more sedentary over the winter I am now struggling to get back to how I was before I fell - but I'll get there.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, how nice to see you here. This certainly has been a difficult year for you with breaking your hip on top of lockdown and all the effects from that. I have the greatest respect for you for handling everything as well as you have this past year. I have no doubt you will get back to where you were before you fell!
DeleteI wonder who can say they are unchanged and for the better.
ReplyDeleteI have wondered if there could be anyone not changed by the past year. I seriously doubt it because there have been so many changes almost everywhere you look across the whole world. So much has been taken away from us this year and that has helped me to appreciate many things that I previously took for granted. I see that awareness to be a good thing but it's a hell of a way to get there.
DeleteBeing single and retired in a rural setting has certainly helped me cope with the pandemic response as well as having a background in public health. It was always said during my working years that a pandemic was a matter of when, not if. It's definitely a dialed-down life that lacks spontaneity. Many preexisting issues are compounded by the pandemic, i.e., relationships, health/exercise, coping ability, expectations, media noise, financial security, etc. You know, no matter where you go there you are. I'm very conscious of the contrasts in experiences and practice daily gratitude for the position I was in when the pandemic started. At this point in time, I'm questioning who/what I will allow into my life once the pandemic ends.
ReplyDeleteHi Mona, thank you for your comment which gives an excellent description of the past year. I worked in a medical office for many years and as you said, it was always stated that a pandemic was a matter of when, not if. Personally I am grateful it happened after I retired. I appreciate your well considered response.
DeleteI had already been basically housebound since 2004 so I had an advantage over most people because it wasn't that great of a change. The only people I do see, though, I could see much less. It was made me appreciate them even more. The underlying fear of getting covid and possibly being a long hauler or dead--now that is something that changes everyone...well, those that believe in science, anyways.
ReplyDeleteThat was the biggest shock to me--seeing a health crisis turned political and the division in our country being like people in two separate realities. That's a change we will live with for a long time.
You bring up an excellent point Rita. I never thought I would see a health crisis turn political as this one did in our country. You would think we would all work together for the common good rather than become divided as we have. I agree, that division will be with us for a very long time and I find that extremely sad.
DeleteOn the positive side my husband has not been ill or in the hospital in a year...isolation agrees with him along with masks and washing hands and disinfecting everything we touch. On the negative we miss seeing our children and grandchildren and great grands. I think I am more wary of people than I was before....because who knows who had it and could make you sick and possibly cause your death?
ReplyDeleteI hate that is is a political thing...that is totally unfair...it is a public all of us issue:(
You are right, because of Far Guy's existing health the isolation and many precautions necessary have helped him to stay healthier than before. But it is so difficult not spending time with our loved ones. I understand being more wary of people and some situations especially since there are still so many unknowns with this virus. Sickness and disease have no politics. We should all care equally about fighting this for the good of all of us.
DeleteI hope you are feeling better Connie!
I put back on some of the weight I lost the year before the pandemic hit, and what with not being able to do much but laze the days away and a bit of walking I am sure I will put on the rest as well.
ReplyDeleteGod blss.
Hi Jackie! I'm willing to bet that most of us have put on some weight after this past year! Aside from the lockdown, I imagine many have done a little "comfort eating"! I hope you are healing and feeling better!
DeleteNicely written Bonnie. To be very honest, I'm surprised how my life has remained the same. A year before the pandemic, in Jan 2019 I developed a serious jaw disorder which kept me from chewing or talking a lot. So a year later, it felt like everybody joined my world. My recovery has been pretty slow (like this virus), just hoping I can join everyone in "regular life" again, maybe this summer. Neverthless, between the TMJ, this pandemic and the changing of the guard in the White House, what a strange year it's been!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your TMJ. I know that can be a serious problem that causes much pain and trouble. Thankfully you can "talk" through your blog! I guess it does seem like everyone has joined you since the pandemic started. I wish you a speedy recovery with the TMJ! This past year has been a strange one in many ways. Of course the pandemic but also the political problems, the social unrest and the election. At least the election was a good thing! Take care Doug!
DeleteThe first couple or three months was hardest on me...but there was a relief that was a much needed break for me since we did not go and sit at Hardees or McD every day...we did go thru the drive thru though. But that is not like going and sitting an hour.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think that that not going at all was not good for Roger...however you can't really tell it, other than I think he has lost what little stamina he had. His buddy still calls him, and also came and got him to do things.
At first I was very scared of him getting it...I did not want to take him to the dr. even. And was so afraid of bringing it home to him when I did go food shopping.
We did not stop seeing our girls, and granddaughter. And even a couple couples that are almost family.
But remember how odd it was when we had to somewhere and there was not hardly a car on the road? We live in a small town, so you may not have experienced that. But even going to Terre Haute there was a noticeable difference.
I imagine it was made more difficult for you especially with Roger's health. Because of that it was probably all the more important that you maintained seeing family for support. I do remember the early months when there were no cars on the road. Even in the Kansas City area there was very little of the usual traffic and it did feel very strange, almost post-apocalyptic like.
DeleteOur ancestors will not read about it but our descendants will.
ReplyDeleteI am, to paraphrase Tennessee Ernie Ford from many years ago, another year older and deeper in debt. I’m joking, but only slightly.
Who was that masked man anyway?
I seem to be living in the past this morning. That’s where our ancestors are. Our descendants are the ones in the future.
You are correct, of course. An error on my part!
DeleteJackie brought up the subject of weight. Mrs. RWP and I are definitely going against the pandemic tide; we have lost weight instead. I may have to blog about a finally. We changed our eating habits in June 2019 — smaller portions, fewer carbs, less sodium, more protein, cut out the snacks and sweets as much as possible (that one is hard) —far less cooking. We buy a lot of Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones (the latter are by Weight Watchers) and to date I have lost 51 lbs and Mrs. RWP has lost 89 lbs — we are shadows of our former selves. So, yes, the pandemic year did change us!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! That is an excellent weight loss for one year. I have not gained weight this past year but I could stand to loss some. I've never been that crazy about those dinners but I haven't tried them in a while and they may have improved. It is the perfect way to have portion control. You should write a post about this as it could help a lot of us!
DeleteI feel like I have aged so much Bonnie. I feel insignificant and without life purpose. I live day to day without much expectation and am looking to a time when all this pandemic is behind us. I laugh and joke with my son and one minute I am up the next I am down. I am not really living at the moment - just going through the motions. x
ReplyDeleteYou give a good description of what this pandemic is doing to us. I am very sorry you feel that way but I do understand. This past year has done so much to all of us psychologically. Sometimes it feels like going through the motions is all we can do. It is good we can reach out to one another but I know we all need so much more. Feel free to email me anytime if you just want someone to talk with. x
DeleteThank you Bonnie for your kindness. x
DeleteAppreciate the reflections, Bonnie. Hard to believe it has been a year. In some ways it feels like so much longer. I am amazed at the human race because we were able to come together quickly to develop vaccines but I am also disappointed in the human race because we saw and continue to see some really ugly and vile actions towards others.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, I guess something like this brings out both the best and the worst in people. I honestly thought we would be in better shape than we are after a year but at least we do have the vaccine now. You and your wife should be proud in how you have handled the past year with your kids, taking them to fun and safe outdoor places so they could still have special days. (even if it did involve a little sand in some uncomfortable places!)
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