How have you changed?
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 7:15 am
I think I started a similar topic a year or so ago, but something said to me recently prompted this return to it.
The other day the Boy shared an observation with me. We must've been talking about Covid and the lock downs. Whatever started the conversation was was overshadowed in my mind by his comment.
He said to the effect, "You're such an introvert I think you could actually do what the Tom Hanks character did in Castaway and where other people would've been damaged, you're the only one I know who could come off the island 5 years later and be a better person for it."
My answer to that in the moment was, "Yes. And I wouldn't lose Wilson either."
Anyway I got to thinking about how I was affected by the height of Covid, lock downs, and what if anything changed in me or for me. What's different now if anything. I'll make a list.
1. I literally don't care if I see people except for my family folks. I do see friends for reasons but I'm content to live in solitude.
2. I don't go shopping like I used to. Before Covid I'd go browse in whatever store and of course I would find something I "needed". These days I only go into a store when I have something specific to pick up.
3. I haven't shopped for groceries in-store in over 2 years now. So long as they offer the service, I'll use it. Some people have told me they're too picky to let someone else choose their food. I'm not like them.
4. I've been on a mission to simplify my surroundings. Minimalism is creeping in. I love it. I knew Thoreau had it right all those years ago when I first read him.
5. I've named the deer. I forged a relationship of sorts with them. We have does who come give birth to their new fawns in spring. This year we had a set of twins and a set of triplets, and a single fawn because something killed it's twin. The Boy found the dead baby on the property. I used to get frustrated and angry with them for eating my flowers. Now, I talk to the Mamas. I tell them how beautiful their babies are and ask them if they liked the sweet flowers. I bought a baby pool to put out water for them.
6. For the past two years I've decorated the flower bed in fall with food. Mostly pumpkins of different sizes. Those are for "Buck" who parks himself here in fall. He never comes when the does are here grazing with their now more mature fawns. He comes alone. Maybe he enjoys solitude, too.
7. I resent being told where I have to be, what time, and when. Appointments and meetings. I go but I do so grudgingly. I do like meeting up with friends once a month for the rug hooking group I was invited to. I stay an hour or so and then happily leave. It's just enough social interaction for me. I'm happy to go home.
8. I've never been so deeply grateful for where I live or how I've chosen to live here. I thank my God every day for it. Life is simple here. It suits me. I can hear myself think here, reflect, and pray.
9. I've traded materialism for creativity. I regularly explode my little studio and love the time I spend there.
10. I've always known I could go for days on end, weeks even, without speaking a word to any other human. Covid and lock downs proved it. And yes, I think that in most ways, I came out better for it.
So what about you guys? What's changed for you? Have you yourself changed? Have you given up things you used to do and are you happy you did? Do you live differently now?
As for me, I don't think I personally have changed all that much. I think I'm exactly who I always was. It's just that I had more of a chance to be her.
by the way, here is Buck as he looks now. This was taken last week. Look how handsome he has become! Sit, stay, good boy, Buck. Okay, stand there if you want. No one's going to argue with you!
The other day the Boy shared an observation with me. We must've been talking about Covid and the lock downs. Whatever started the conversation was was overshadowed in my mind by his comment.
He said to the effect, "You're such an introvert I think you could actually do what the Tom Hanks character did in Castaway and where other people would've been damaged, you're the only one I know who could come off the island 5 years later and be a better person for it."
My answer to that in the moment was, "Yes. And I wouldn't lose Wilson either."
Anyway I got to thinking about how I was affected by the height of Covid, lock downs, and what if anything changed in me or for me. What's different now if anything. I'll make a list.
1. I literally don't care if I see people except for my family folks. I do see friends for reasons but I'm content to live in solitude.
2. I don't go shopping like I used to. Before Covid I'd go browse in whatever store and of course I would find something I "needed". These days I only go into a store when I have something specific to pick up.
3. I haven't shopped for groceries in-store in over 2 years now. So long as they offer the service, I'll use it. Some people have told me they're too picky to let someone else choose their food. I'm not like them.
4. I've been on a mission to simplify my surroundings. Minimalism is creeping in. I love it. I knew Thoreau had it right all those years ago when I first read him.
5. I've named the deer. I forged a relationship of sorts with them. We have does who come give birth to their new fawns in spring. This year we had a set of twins and a set of triplets, and a single fawn because something killed it's twin. The Boy found the dead baby on the property. I used to get frustrated and angry with them for eating my flowers. Now, I talk to the Mamas. I tell them how beautiful their babies are and ask them if they liked the sweet flowers. I bought a baby pool to put out water for them.
6. For the past two years I've decorated the flower bed in fall with food. Mostly pumpkins of different sizes. Those are for "Buck" who parks himself here in fall. He never comes when the does are here grazing with their now more mature fawns. He comes alone. Maybe he enjoys solitude, too.
7. I resent being told where I have to be, what time, and when. Appointments and meetings. I go but I do so grudgingly. I do like meeting up with friends once a month for the rug hooking group I was invited to. I stay an hour or so and then happily leave. It's just enough social interaction for me. I'm happy to go home.
8. I've never been so deeply grateful for where I live or how I've chosen to live here. I thank my God every day for it. Life is simple here. It suits me. I can hear myself think here, reflect, and pray.
9. I've traded materialism for creativity. I regularly explode my little studio and love the time I spend there.
10. I've always known I could go for days on end, weeks even, without speaking a word to any other human. Covid and lock downs proved it. And yes, I think that in most ways, I came out better for it.
So what about you guys? What's changed for you? Have you yourself changed? Have you given up things you used to do and are you happy you did? Do you live differently now?
As for me, I don't think I personally have changed all that much. I think I'm exactly who I always was. It's just that I had more of a chance to be her.
by the way, here is Buck as he looks now. This was taken last week. Look how handsome he has become! Sit, stay, good boy, Buck. Okay, stand there if you want. No one's going to argue with you!