Any new insights?

[Danesa]

As we have all been locked down for so long, are there any lessons you have gleaned or any new insights you've learned about yourself, (or others) while stranded at home?

Here are just a few things I've learned about myself:
People are kinder & meaner than I thought.
I am even stronger than I thought, during tornadoes, in the night.
I can live without things that I thought I really "needed."
Giving & receiving a phone call brightens my day.
I can be on hold, on the telephone for hours, dealing with incompetence, and not even threaten to harm anyone. (I could have really left this one off, but its soooo surprisingly true haha)
I had stored more food in my pantry than I thought.

Any insights from you?

 

[faerywings]

Danesa- you are an inspiration!

Some new insights aren't really "new" per se but strengthened.
I am amazed at the ability of the brain to filter out news and to adapt to a new world at the same time. Numbers become "numb." 64,000 dead and counting. And it has become a number that just grows and my brain can shrug that off. It is sad and terrifying how easy that happened.

The world can seem normal at times. We had a really nice weekend. It was my DH's birthday yesterday and my parents came up to visit on Sat. and his on Sunday. We set up chairs on opposite sides of the patio so we didn't have to yell through open windows, us inside and them outside. As I got into bed last night, it felt like a pre-COVID weekend. Then I realize how not-normal any of this is.

But the biggest revelation is that we are experiencing the biggest societal shift in generations. Like-- in the scope of the Industrial Revolution. What triggered that thought is my DD who is entering Grad School for her Master's in Social Work in Sept. She was lined up to have an internship with Child Protective Services but because of COVID, the agency doesn't have staff/resources to take on an intern. She is now going to be working "on campus" as Academic Advisor to new students. Is ay "on campus" because the school isn't sure that the campus will be open in the fall. They are preparing for another semester of remote learning. Her role will then be done through virtual meetings.
This made me think about how every last aspect of life will be different for a long time to come. There is no going back to normal. That old Pre-COVID world is gone. I am not being apocalyptic or depressed. I see this as a way to move forward, to be batter caretakers of our environment. Better friends and neighbors. Like you, I am realizing that things can always be easily replaced, so we are more aware of waste and reusing. We are learning that things can be done from home like teleworking, thus reducing the need to drive.
Like you said as well, phone calls, text messages take on new meaning. The world is changing whether we like it or not. But I have faith (for the most part! haha!!) that humanity will pull together to make it better. Yes, I tend to wear rose-colored glasses but that is my hippy-dippy nature. :hippie: It is my default defense mechanism to be more psychologically accurate. *winks*

So now that I look at this and realize that I wrote way more than anyone wanted or needed to see... I will sign off now. :tape:

 

[Danesa]

Chris - I'm so glad you were able to have a somewhat "normal" weekend to celebrate your dh's birthday!

I truly believe, also, that we are in a new world reality shift. It will be interesting (and a bit scary) to see it all transpire and see what the "new" really will be.

And ... I love your hippy-dippy nature!

 

[taxed4ever]

I am in total agreement with Chris and feel that the world as we all knew it is gone forever! Although some things may be for the better and perhaps (I am being optimistic here) people will be much kinder to each other?? I have seen evidence of that over the past few weeks, people being much more patient and wanting to help out their fellow man.

Danesa - You truly are an inspiration to us all to be happy with what we have and to be more patient with others! I hope that your hours on the phone has gotten your problems resolved!

Chris - I love your hippy-dippy lovely self too! We should all look at the world through rose coloured glasses! :hug:

 

[scribler]

Y'all are much more optimistic than me. I think we are going to find ourselves in a more divided and more hateful world.

I've been reminded how much I love spending 24/7 with David. For those who don't know, or don't remember, David and I used to spend almost 24/7 together for the 12.5 years of our marriage. That changed in 2014. I knew I missed doing that. I had forgotten how much. We know he'll be working from home at least through May. Hoping it will be longer.

I have realized how great Pickup for Target/Walmart is for short people. Need something on the top shelf, order it and pick it up. Then you don't have to come up with a way to get what you want or try to track someone down who is willing to help you.

I've also realized that when I can't go shopping for fun, I am much more tempted by things advertised on Facebook. lol

 

[faerywings]

Cindy- sometimes the protesters scare the you know what out of me and I am fearful of what will happen in November no matter which way the election goes. Two different fears, but yeah-- fearful.

Isn't that the truth about no having to climb on shelves or find tall people when you are shopping-- much nicer to point and click. My FB feed is non-stop ads for flowers and bulbs but so far I have behaved. My mom asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day (yeah, she is odd- she gives *me* a gift on Mother's Day b/c I birthed her grandkids :roll: ound: ) and is going to send me a check so I can order some plants at my local garden center. They do curbside pickup and my son (who worked at the garden center for years) is going to help me plant them as soon as he is done with Finals.

I have been finding that people I am speaking to on the phone-- my doctor's office, the vet, etc-- they have all been super friendly and chatty. I left a tip int he car for the worker who did my Walmart order and he was so grateful. I am hoping that kindness will win in the end. Like I said, Hippy-dippy.

 

[Danesa]

Cindy, I had to laugh at the "short people" reference. I am right there with you. I think I spend a quarter of my shopping time (when I did shop) waiting for a tall person to walk by. haha I have been known to hunt them down in the store, when an employee is nowhere to be found. haha
I'm glad you and David have been able to spend more time together. You'll have some positive memories to come out of this crazy adventure of our era.

Trudy, yes, I believe most people are inherently kind and times like these bring that characteristic out even more. (There are exceptions..like in all circumstances)

I forgot to mention, in my post, I had my first Zoom physician appointment a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't as strange as I thought it might be. It was actually nice to be able to chat and catch up with my physician. She always takes a lot of time, with me, but this time she seemed to take even more time. It was nice for her, also, in that she had recently been hospitalized so her being at distance is a good thing for her. I never quite realized the other side of things. It seems everyone is adjusting and making good use of "what is..."

 

[Scrapmemories]

It's great hearing all your responses and realizing we are more alike than different.

Here are just a few things I've learned about myself:
I've always been an extroverted introvert, I like people but when I'm done being around them, I need my quiet time. But it showed me how important human connection is. Whether on a call, text or social media, having someone reach out to say they care or checking on me lifts my spirits tremendously.
Living in Hurricane Alley, I am better prepared for disasters. I know what supplies will last and be stretched.
Discovering local farms selling to the public was a blessing because they normally supply cruises and restaurants. A trip with our drive thru purchase lasts about 2 weeks with fresh meals (we are vegetarian too so it was an even bigger deal)
As I've gotten older, I've become more of a germaphobe. It paid off because I had supplies on hand but it also showed me how much I love televisits with the doctor. I hope they continue to do more of them in the future.
Lastly, I've learned how to slow down and patience is the key to surviving everything.

 

[vivaartistry]

See, I've worked at home by myself (husband works overseas most of each month) and so I've never been bothered about being home...there used to be days when i wouldn't get out of pajamas! This time though, my mom moved in with us last July. So I've had to get used to having mom and husband at home (although I really like having him home, we work well together and finished a lot of home projects!). Having lived in the Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, I was already used to many different lifestyle changes.

I think that we've seen some mean things being said and done and that saddens me.
I also think that working remotely is now very probable for many jobs and that's a good thing.
I've also found out the people in my new neighborhood (we moved in August last year) are awesome!