Pretty much back to doing what I want to do, however, I’ve become a much greater recluse compared to pre-Covid.
I don’t engage with others on the phone at all, only text, and I don’t maintain friendships with people who want to meet up regularly in person.
I see my closet friends still but less often. We just text. A lot.
I am much more mindful of whether an anticipated interaction is likely to be pleasant or just tolerated; if the latter, I make my apologies, and don’t attend or engage.
Have not been to a movie theater in more than 3 years now and have no huge desire to go to one.
The biggest was coloring my hair. The last time I went to a salon was February 2020, and it grew out with these cool black and steel gray streaks. I hated going to the stylist, so when I had the opportunity to drop it, I jumped at the chance. It’s long, so I can go to a Great Clips and just have them cut a few inches off a couple times a year. My total hair budget now is less than my tip for one visit used to be pre-covid. I can now make an extra mortgage payment each year with the money I save by not coloring my hair. Crazy
Wow. That’s great, @Tigerwife92 .
I haven’t eaten inside a restaurant or attended any indoor entertainment (including movies). But we didn’t do a lot of that anyway. There are a few restaurants without outdoor seating (the nerve; it’s San Diego!) that I would like to try eventually. The only indoor party I’ve attended was where the hostess confirmed everyone was vaccinated and negative. I have shopped in various stores, always masking and watching proximity.
I’ve discovered I like being a recluse, so to speak, with the occasional socializing with a handful of friends. I’m very comfortable at home and in my yard. My husband routinely does grocery shopping no matter whether or not I do - so mostly I let him do it. I do still remember all those years when I was a SAHM and did it ALL!
I can and did color my own hair for a year. I also considered letting the grey grow out. But then I tried one of those apps that let you see how you’d look with different hair color and styles and hated the look of all grey. It totally made my bland little face disappear (so did blond, actually). So for now I’ll stick with my salon. I like chatting with the owner and catching up on local news anyway.
I’ve become much more selective at attending large events, especially if they require travel. Was invited to 2 meetings — one in NC this weekend for one night and one day. I politely declined—too far for such a short event and too much travel time from HI.
Also declining to attend huge conference in May which will be in DC with over 10,000 attendees. The idea of being around that many people holds no appeal. Also declining to attend a New Orleans conference with 100+ people which is just before my 2 week Japan tour—can’t afford to get sick. I’m just being much more selective.
We’re back to normal except I work far less. Pre-Covid I worked more days than not at school including some full time short term assignments (6 weeks to a semester as needed). This year I’ve worked a whopping 9 days with only 1 more scheduled at this point.
I need to retire officially. I enjoy wandering and a slower paced life, plus many of my friends have already retired. There are many new faces at school among the teachers. I still have enough that I belong, but it’s not like it used to be pre-Covid.
The only times we’re cautious about Covid at this point is right before our travels, so a last minute sickness doesn’t derail a trip.
I still haven’t been to a sisterhood event since the pandemic began.
We’ve done a couple restaurants, but getting takeout and paying much higher prices now just doesn’t seem worth it.
I don’t buy much in the way of clothing now. I buy more comfortable shoes.
Haven’t been to synagogue services much, either. We still have the Zoom option, which is fine with me. They are looking for folks to cater kiddush on Saturdays, which is something we used to do regularly (and our sons did it, too), but I am just not ready to take that step.
Not sure H will ever take Metro to work again. He drives in once or twice a week, and that may well last til he retires. Makes downsizing a bit more feasible when we’re not totally committed to the commute.
What we DID miss before the pandemic was all the great parks and day trips around us. These discoveries have kept us sane and given us chances to explore. These places will be nice field trips for us in the coming years.
Love your last paragraph. A rose among the Covid thorns!
We are enjoying a second snowbird winter in Las Vegas, in a much nicer rental than last year. We have not missed wet, gray weather. It’s all about living now and not counting on having healthy decades in the future.