Re-entry, Part 2

You’ve got me for a second time this month because KD is busy putting the finishing touches on her awesome haunted-house ghost-chaser found-family novel, which will be out just in time for Halloween! (Are you excited? I’m excited.)

[CW: pandemic, mental health]

I blogged a couple of months ago about facing down the prospect of re-entry, and enough has shifted since then that I thought it would be worth revisiting…

Since getting my second shot in June, I’ve seen friends a couple of times a month (not that far off from the frequency in my pre-COVID social life, except that pre-COVID there was dancing, which meant seeing a lot more friends each time). I’ve been to restaurants a few times, either on patios or in very well-ventilated spaces or with very few other patrons. I’ve stayed in a hotel. I even got to see (and hug!) a few family members I don’t live with.

I’ve gone out to run errands more often. I’ve been to the mall once or twice. I’ve been to the dentist, the hairdresser, the optometrist. It’s gradually getting easier and less weird to be around people again.

November, though, will be the big test. I’ve been working from home since March 13, 2020 — quite happily, aside from this whole pandemic thing. But my dayjob is calling people back into the high-rise office one day a week (which, for me, also involves a long public transit ride).

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t causing me anxiety. But I’m more ready than I was. I’ll be there with my N95 masks and my comfy clothes (new unofficial uniform: merino or cotton t-shirt, sweater or long open cardigan, dark-wash stretch jeans or leggings, necklace to show I’m making an effort, done).

Getting my second shot hasn’t magically turned off the pandemic depression and anxiety, as I’d hoped it might. But my brain is slowly coming back online — see the abovementioned errands and appointments. I’m starting to read more fiction again. And next month I’m going to do the world’s tiniest NaNoWriMo, just to prove to myself that I can.

Wish me luck.