avatarK. Barrett

Summary

The author reflects on the personal impact of the pandemic on their social life and travel habits, pondering the role of courage in resuming "normal" activities post-vaccination.

Abstract

The article delves into the author's introspection on the effects of the pandemic on their social interactions and travel. Over the past year, the author's world has significantly contracted, limiting contact to immediate family and a few visits. With the approach of full vaccination, the author grapples with the decision to restart traveling, weighing fears of social anxiety and the risk of illness against the desire to reconnect with the world. The narrative touches on the guilt and hypocrisy felt during a road trip taken when restrictions first lifted, the personal health concerns that have influenced the author's caution, and the moral considerations of potentially spreading the virus. The author plans to cautiously re-engage with travel, acknowledging the need for courage to overcome the comfort of isolation and the uncertainty of emerging from a year-long seclusion.

Opinions

  • The author initially believed that the pandemic would have a set end date, which influenced their decision to take a road trip.
  • The author values the safety of themselves and others, which has been a driving force in their decision to limit social interactions.
  • There is a contemplation on whether the choice to stay isolated signifies a lack of courage or a courageous act of protecting public health.
  • The author expresses concern about developing social anxiety due to prolonged isolation.
  • The author's spouse is characterized as being more willing to take risks to resume traveling.
  • Despite the comfort of isolation, there is an acknowledgment that seclusion cannot be permanent and that life must eventually expand.
  • The author questions the safety of travel even after vaccination and is cautious about adhering to health protocols.
  • The author feels thankful for having navigated the pandemic with minimal negative impact and is motivated by the opportunity to uplift others who have suffered.
  • The author recognizes the need for courage to move beyond the pandemic's constraints and resume a sense of normalcy in travel and social engagement.

Do You Have The Courage To Resume “Normal” Travel?

Prompt-Tuesday-Expand Your Wings and Prepare to Ascend?

Image-K.Barrett, author

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. —Anaïs Nin

Shrink, Shrank, Shrunk

Well, that pretty much sums up my social life in the past year. I don’t even just mean friends “social”. I mean family, grocery store, anywhere. My circle shrank down to my husband and I. This could be called lack of courage. Many people have been out and about. Some because they have to, others because they want to.

As my final vaccination dose gets closer, I have been asking myself…Do I have the courage to resume “normal” travel?

For a year I was home, not going anywhere or accepting any visitors. The only exceptions were a visit from my sister, a few visits from my husband’s sister and one major push of courage — a road trip to my parent’s house.

The road trip came the first time restrictions were being lifted in my area — June, 2020. That was back when we believed (or at least I believed) that the scientists had set a date for the end of the pandemic. Maybe it was courage, maybe it was careless oblivion —a measured risk I was willing to take. I did feel some guilt and hypocrisy.

Did I truly believe the day restrictions were lifted was different than the day before, or the day after?

It was a great trip. One of the best ever. We spent every day in the boat. We pretty much quarantined there. We brought our own food and everything we needed to just stay in the house for the whole ten days. We also stocked the car for the road trip. Clorox wipe covered bathroom breaks and that was it. Very little exposure.

I haven’t been anywhere but parks and the doctor since. That was nine months ago. Shrink, shrank, shrunk perfectly explains my interactions with the world in the past year.

How are people deciding when and how to get back to anything “normal”?

Courage

I don’t think it was really a lack of courage that kept me in. I have had some minor health issues that I’ve worked hard to get through. I really didn’t want to be a long-hauler. As soon as I found out that was a thing, I decided I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risk. I didn’t want to end up with any lingering sickness if I could avoid it. Living like that scares me. Is fear always lack of courage?

I also didn’t want to be the reason anyone else got sick. To help stop the spread and keep others stay healthy, I could stay in. So, maybe that was courage — courage to disconnect from the world and stay in the house for a year to help keep others safe?

Then, on the other hand…I have not missed being out. I get things delivered. I go out to parks for fresh air and exercise. I talk on the phone. I work on google meets and zoom. I write. (Mostly I write.) I spend time with my husband. I have everything I need.

Expand

This is where courage may really come in. Staying secluded in my house can’t be forever. Being out and traveling used to be my thing. Social anxiety is not something I’ve ever experienced but I worry that I might now. It may take some courage to get back out there.

My second vaccine dose is in a few days. Then, I’m going to just go for it — book my first flight two weeks after that. My husband has been ready to go. If I would have agreed we would have already resumed traveling. He has all the courage in the world, or is he just willing to take risks to get out of the house?

We are penciling in several trips before the end of the summer. I am feeling so torn. I don’t want to give up my cozy isolation. I don’t want to risk spreading such a horrid virus. I do want to visit the destinations we have chosen.

I have heard that it is safe to travel if fully vaccinated. Is it?

Ascend

I’m literally getting ready to ascend. Figuratively getting my wings ready for the journey. My hair is not really important, but I might need to call my hairdresser in advance and ask her to bring her hedge clippers for my first appointment!

I will still be very careful and take all possible precautions — visiting only others that are fully vaccinated and businesses that are following protocols. I can’t believe I am going to need to conjure up some courage to get back to a bit of normalcy.

Reflection

I am feeling very thankful and blessed that I have gotten through this time with few negative impacts. Is it time to try “normal”?

Another thing I am looking forward to as I get back out into the world is more opportunities to uplift others. There are many that have suffered greatly. That is good motivation to get out there. I may still need some extra courage.

How shrunken has your world become? How will you feel as it expands? Do you have the courage to resume “normal” travel?

Thanks for reading! I wish everyone the courage they need to take their next steps. Thanks, 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘊. for the prompt: Tuesday- Expand Your Wings and Prepare to Ascend

Know Thyself Heal Thyself
Travel
Self-awareness
Pandemic
Life
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