So let’s be honest, there are two types of people in this world: those who enjoy socializing and being on the go, and those who prefer to kick back in pajamas and cuddle with the dog. Anyone who knows me is well aware I’m an introvert. I love relaxing at home in my sweats, avoiding other people’s nonsense that dampers my day. Don’t get me wrong I do love to travel and meet new people but I am most comfortable within my own four walls a.k.a. home sweet home. However, now that I find myself in the middle of an enforced stay at home order, I just want to get the hell out of the damn house!
It’s quite ironic really. You’d think a situation like this would be easy for me, but…uh…yeah, it’s not. I’ve been lounging around lately pondering how this could be. Isn’t his what introverts dream of: a mandated order to stay home, kickback and relax? Don’t get me wrong it was nice for about a week and a half, but now I feel pressed to the limit. I can feel a difference in my mental state. No, I am not feeling depressed or lonely, but I do feel uneasy and jittery. It feels like I’ve done everything I could possibly accomplish at home. In the past month I have gone through a bunch of old clothing, redecorated my bedroom, painted a few pictures and took some photography and photo editing classes, taken walks gotten back into yoga an bout five other activities all in addition to my usual hobbies. It seems like none of these activities are satisfying anymore. I just want to get out and do something.
It’s gotten to the point where I actually look forward to go grocery shopping at with my day once a week at 7 A.M. If that’s not pathetic, I don’t know what is! I guess I never realized how little things like running errands were actually considered an outing. Before this crisis began I have always viewed social outings as a special event such as throw a party or get-together, going to a concert, or perhaps going out to dinner with some close friends. But now I realize all those times when I simply went to Target and chatted with the woman in behind me in line, held a door open for someone on campus, or even saying “thank you” to the pizza delivery guy involved a desirable amount of social interaction.
This pandemic has caused me to look at life a little bit differently. It is interesting to realize just how important the little things in life really are. People like myself who would rather just stay indoors and away from dealing with the nonsense of other people, now miss people more than ever. Never again will I complain about the cashier who was trying to have a conversation with me while I was in a hurry. Never again will I complain about wasting time talking to my neighbors while walking the dog. Never again will I complain about getting stuck in traffic to and from work. From this point on, I will be grateful for every social interaction and opportunity to get out of my house. Each of these is a blessing. I am aware of that now.
Stean's Beans 