QUARANTINE LIFE: FRIDAY THOUGHTS

Maybe I missed the memo, but we are still experiencing a pandemic, aren’t we?

At some point your plans, decisions, boundaries, needs, requirements, and feelings have to matter, and you must speak up. Whether people understand your choices, or just say they do, is irrelevant. Just because some are weary of Covid and willing to take chances with their own well-being, doesn’t mean Covid is tired of spreading. Be it ignorance or defiance on the part of others, you have to do what’s most prudent for you. Manipulative insults deeming you afraid, faithless, sheepish, silly, brainwashed, antisocial, uncooperative, selfish, chicken, or any other adjectives hurled by pandemic bullies, should go in one ear and out of the other.

I’ve been referred to as “passive”, “agreeable” and “nice” all my life. I remember when I used to really care a great deal what people thought. I have learned: People do what you allow, and “No” is a tiny, yet fully formed sentence that requires no explanation or embellishments—especially now. Your “No” has no doubt become firm and immediate. You’re not doing it. You’re not going. You don’t have to pray about it, have a meeting, take a poll, flip a coin, draw straws, run it by your bestie, or sleep on it. 

Perhaps there were places you would have gone, and things you would have gladly consented to do, pre-pandemic, that wouldn’t have required a single thought. You would have already been there, early, eager, with bells on. Times, however, have changed. 

Preserve your peace. Be kind to yourself. Some will endeavor to turn your day into theirs; their promises, guilt, and projects into yours; and their procrastination into your emergency. Perhaps if they can get you on board, it’ll make others less apprehensive about going along for the ride. Though someone may attempt to fill your plate during this time, you don’t have to take a single bite. The ease, calm, caution, and freedom in which you move and operate is puzzling to those who thrive on drama, busyness, and unnecessary stress. There will always be someone on the outside looking in, thinking you don’t have enough to do.

You know how you have spent the last year. You’ve also seen the results of carelessness, stupidity, arrogance,  and irresponsibility. Some who said they were being safe and following protocols were doing no such thing. You’ll know what’s demands your attention. You’ll also know what you must decline.

Don’t allow anyone to smother, hogtie, or usurp your day or pressure you into doing what you simply must not, don’t want, or need to do.

#stressawarenessmonth