presume
/prəˈz(y)o͞om/
a. to expect or assume especially with confidence
b. to take for granted
Across the globe, this year has been a weird one.
The coronavirus has drastically changed the way we interact with each other. I don’t know how life is where you are right now, but we’ve been practising social distancing here for just over a week. And honestly, it’s made March feel like the month that never ends.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s amazing how we’ve all come together in this time. I truly appreciate that we’re all doing what we can to protect the most vulnerable of our society. And I definitely believe it’s better to be safe, than sorry.
But being asked to stay home for an indefinite amount of time really causes you to realize how much you used to take for granted.
So, I thought I’d put together a quick little list of things, and maybe one day, when we all go back to “normal life,” it’ll be a nice reminder to slow down and appreciate the simpler things.
- Your daily visit to the local coffee shop. I’ll be the first to admit that I visit coffee shops a lot more often than necessary, given the perfectly good brewing system we have at home. Fancy a Chemex pourover, anyone? But sometimes, it’s nice to have someone else pour the cup for you. Or maybe you’ve just had one of those days, and an afternoon pick-me-up is all you need to turn it around.
- Making a quick trip to . . . You name it, it’s closed. And if it isn’t, you probably shouldn’t be there anyway. I know this is a huge adjustment for some, especially those of us in urban centres. We’ve gotten used to the “open anytime – it’s okay if you forgot something” lifestyle. Also, who hasn’t popped into a store just to browse or kill some time? Not to mention the beauty of mall walks with a baby when the weather is crappy. But hey – at least we still have online shopping, right?
- Getting your sweat on at the gym. Hubby and I signed up for an annual gym membership just last month, and we were just getting into the swing of things. I was finally feeling less guilty about leaving my baby in order to take care of me. You see, I’ve never been motivated enough to do this at home, and sure, I like to jog outdoors, but hello, winter lasts forever here in Canada. So, let’s just say, I hope to see you again soon, GoodLife!
- Face-to-face convos with your coworkers. Maybe you love your job, maybe you hate it. Maybe your interactions there are purely based on mutual venting about the job. Either way, you see those people every day, maybe even more than your own family, and being away from them can leave a void. Although I’ve been off this year, I’ve worked with incredible people who celebrate in my successes and offer a shoulder in my failures. If you’re feeling disconnected right now, I hope you’re still reaching out in some way. We have so many ways to chat these days!
- Having dinner with a friend. I love connecting with people over a good meal, and I’m seriously considering planning some kind of virtual dinner party, if this continues much longer. Any takers?
- Visiting the local library, art gallery or museum. Let’s be honest, motherhood can be isolating, and downright lonely at times, which is why I starting looking for local groups to join. Needless to say, I miss our Tuesday morning storytime. That one little hour with other moms and their babies was a huge boost for my mental health. Also, I’m pretty sure we’re going to have to cancel our little family staycation for the second time, and I’m definitely bummed about it.
- All those birthday parties, baby showers, weddings . . . I’ve written on the blog before about being a social introvert. I crave social situations even though they drain me. So, after this week of isolation, I’m recharged and ready to go! Too bad all the events on my calendar are dropping like flies.
- Watching your favourite sport on TV. Whether you like it or not, sports usually have a way of bringing people together. My dad is one of the biggest Toronto Maple Leafs fans I know. It’s a huge part of his weekend routine, and it’s pretty sad to think that the NHL may not see a Stanley Cup this year. Plus, our family always goes to a Jays game or two every summer, and I’m starting to wonder if that will happen now.
- Taking your kids to the neighbourhood playground. My daughter isn’t quite old enough yet, but I know there are other kids in the neighbourhood who must be missing out. I’ve passed by a few other moms on our walks lately, and I can’t help but wonder what they tell their kids about this whole situation. How do you explain to a child that they can’t play with their friends? Or why all their regular activities are cancelled?
- Going to the movie theatre to catch the latest flick. Date night, anyone? Don’t worry – you can still Netflix and chill. Oh, and Disney + has got your back with early releases for the kids. Maybe things aren’t so bad, after all. LOL.
What simple thing do you miss the most? Let me know in the comments below.