I know, I know, I know, asking will you miss the lockdown is like asking will you miss your toothache: it was horrible at first then you kind of got used to the pain and learned to live with it. So, going to the dentist to have it repaired is not that big a deal after a while. We’ve settled into our at-home lives pretty well. It surprises me at how I have adapted.

But it’s safe here in my little corner of the world. I can control what comes into my world here. I can control who comes in (which is no one). I can keep my car and clothes clean and disinfected pretty well. I am in control as much as I can be and I work hard to keep myself safe. I was very nervous at first about the virus and even more anxious about how I would handle social distancing.

As for my social life, like everyone else, it ended. And, it is a huge part of my life. I am a person who is out and about all the time. That’s on purpose: while I like time alone, I don’t like living alone and the best way I can offset my singledom is to keep myself super busy and engaged. So, when all of that came to a screeching halt, it hit me hard. After about ten days I told a friend I didn’t think I could even do it (she was nice enough to say, “Come here!” I didn’t, but loved that she had my back.). I did do it and ended up doing it pretty well.

Hold On to What You’ve Enjoyed

I have surprised myself at how well I have adapted to life 100% alone. It took some time, but I got out my sewing machine and made masks. I started knitting a sweater for myself. I began to cook for the first time in years! I cleaned out some closets (not all, what am I, bionic?) and I rearranged my bedroom, and love it. I talked to my friends often, very often, probably more often than I have been able to in years. We talked for a long time about nothing, which I totally loved. It was like spending time together, like riding in the car together. Just chatting.

So, while I can’t wait to get out and about again, I don’t want to lose the ground that I’ve found in isolation. I have found a renewed interest in things that I used to love. I want to keep those up.

I can admit that during the time that I was married, which was a long time, I lost a lot of what I loved to do: it wasn’t valued, so that’s my own fault for dropping that part of me. I just dropped some interests. The shutdown has allowed me time to get to know myself again and what I really love.

I can’t believe it, but I will miss some pieces of the shutdown. So, will you miss the lockdown? In what ways?