Pandemic Fatigue

It's about time to pop on and check-in to see how everyone is faring with Covid-19.  This week I was hit, yet again, with a wave of grief, sadness and distress about it all.  It probably coincided with returning to work after holidays.  It's always hard to end a good vacation, but this time it felt like I was going back to a never-ending grind of monotony.  Does anyone know what I mean?  It's not that the novelty of working from home has worn off (I actually love working from home!)... it's just that there really is no incentive, or nothing to look forward to.  At this moment, everything still feels on hold.  It's like the whole nation is holding their breath, waiting to release and resume normal life.  Except that is not what is happening.  Instead, cases are rising.  Nothing is really getting resolved.  There is a feeling that life can't continue to go on in this "new normal" (as everyone is saying, though it is NOT normal!), but nobody really knows what to do.  So we are all, collectively, holding our breath, but the end is not in sight.

I don't know.  Maybe it's just a wave of emotion I am feeling.  

It sounds like I will be continuing to work from home indefinitely, at least until the new year.  Of course this comes with some advantages (no commute - yay!, being more accessible to my kids, etc.), but it also means being isolated longer in my work.  I miss seeing others in my day-to-day interactions.  I miss working in the office as a team.  I miss going out on my lunch breaks to wander, or get a coffee.  It's just not the same.  

In speaking to clients this week, I can definitely testify that there is a sense of pandemic fatigue.  There are all sorts of ways this comes out.  Some people are sick and tired of restrictions, and going back to doing whatever they want.  Some people are taking off on holidays, desperate for a break from reality.  Some people are watching it all, and anxiety is starting to mount again as they perceive that others are acting recklessly.  

For me, I feel a bit of it all.  Mostly, I am an observer.  As my job dictates, I don't debate or argue against what others are thinking and feeling.  Maybe it's an advantage...but I can validate all the different viewpoints.  

The rest of the summer feels a bit bland.  Thankfully, my parents are coming... I am so grateful for something to look forward to!  For me, that's been the hardest part, is not being able to plan for the future.  I am definitely a planner! ;) But, in all honesty, there has also been a simplicity in taking life day by day.  Sure, that has been monotonous at times, but it truly is more simple too.  

So tell me... I want to hear your thoughts!  Are you experiencing pandemic fatigue?  How are you handling the monotony of a simpler life?  What's keeping you going these days?  Please please do leave a comment or answer on my Facebook post.  I'd love to hear!